ICA 42nd Conference

1. General Information
2. Conference Theme
3. Agenda
4. Registration Form
5. Welcome to Korea
6. Accompanied Persons Programme

Republic of Korea is known as a country of leading information technology and the advancement in culture and art for 5,000 years of history. Often referred to as the "Land of the Morning Calm", Korea has a population of 49 million (2007) and a total land area of 99,678 Km² (2006). Located at a major crossroads of Northeast Asia, it has also achieved the "Miracle of the Han River ". As early as the 1960s, when the country's five-year economic development plan was first implemented, the Korean economy has relentlessly shown signs of exponential growth. From 1962 to 2006, the country's GNI surged from US$2.3 billion to a staggering US$805.8 billion.

Seoul is a city with a history that dates back millennia. For the last 600 years, the city has served as Korea's capital. In recent decades, it has experienced dramatic transformations and growth resulting from Korea's rapid industrialization and modernization.

Geography & Location

The Korean Peninsula extends southward from the north-eastern part of the Asian continent and the standard meridian of the peninsula is 135 degrees, 9 hours ahead of GMT. The Amnok and Tuman Rivers border both China and Russia to the North, and Japan lies just across the East Sea.

Since 1945, as a result of the Cold War, the peninsula has been divided into two parts; the democratic Republic of Korea (South Korea), and communist Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea).

The combined territories of South and North Korea are similar to the size of Great Britain (244,100 square kilometres). South Korea alone is about the size of Hungary (93,000 square kilometres) and Jordan (97,700 square kilometres).

Four Seasons in Korea

The climate of Korea is characterized by four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn and winter. The crystal clear skies during the autumn days and the mild sunshine during spring are most beautiful. Rainy summer comes after the lovely spring with very high temperature. In the cold winter, it often snows heavily. The variation of annual mean temperature ranges from 10-16 degrees Celsius (50-60 F). Spring and autumn temperatures average around 15+ degrees Celsius.
(* October is late autumn in Korea.)

Language & Religions & Customs

Koreans are primarily one ethnic family and speak one language, Korean (Hangeul) which was invented by King Sejong during the mid-15th Century.

The Korean people's unique traditional costume is Hanbok for thousands of years. Before the arrival of Western-style clothing one hundred years ago, the hanbok was worn as everyday attire. Today, the hanbok is worn on days of celebration such as wedding, Lunar New Year's Day or Korean Thanksgiving Day.

Freedom of religion is fully guaranteed in Korea. Korea's traditional religions-Shamanism, Buddhism, and Confucianism-have all played an integral role in the country's socio-cultural development. There are also various minor religions based on various combinations of elements from these traditional religions. Christianity has developed a large following since its introduction in the late 18th century.

Information

Electric current: 220 volts AC. Small appliances - a plug adaptor may be needed for Korean round two-pin sockets. Visitors bringing electrical appliances should ask an electrician or appliance dealer if it is possible to use a transformer.

Telecommunications: Digital phones with CDMA subscriptions and a roaming agreement will work in Korea. Visitors should consult with their supplier before departure.

Transportation
1) Local and city bus services: A regular intercity bus network, as opposed to the long distance express bus network, connects virtually all cities and towns in the country. Regular intercity buses, which make frequent stops, are the least expensive way to travel around the country. Bus fares range from 700 to 1,500 won (US$0.7 - $1.5).

2) Subway services: The subway is the most efficient and convenient way to get around Seoul. The subway system has developed into Seoul's main transportation system and continues to provide a fast, safe, and comfortable means of transportation. In Seoul, it links all neighborhoods with the outlying areas and satellite cities. Fares vary according to destinations, with a basic fare of 900 won (US$ 0.94).
For more detailed information about Seoul Metro Service, visit www.seoulmetro.co.kr

3) Taxi services: There are two kinds of taxis - regular and deluxe. Fares are based on distance and time. The black deluxe taxis are more comfortable, provide better service and, of course, charge more than the regular gray taxis, but nearly all taxis are equipped with a third-party interpretation system that can be accessed by cell phone.

Tourism Information

International Airports: There are 8 international airports in South Korea, including Incheon, Gimpo. Incheon International Airport is for airlines connecting every region of the world, and other airports are only for Asia regions.
Incheon International Airport opens 24 hours a day for passengers both Korean and foreign. The airport is located 52km from downtown Seoul and Limousine Bus is the most convenient way to get to the desired location in Seoul. It takes 30 minutes to 1 hour from the airport to the downtown Seoul.

For more information and tickets for the Limousine Bus, visit the Transportation Information Counter(TIC) located between the exits no. 3 and 12 at the Airport lobby.

For more detailed information about Incheon International Airport, visit www.airport.kr/eng/airport/

Seoul Call Centre: Just dial "120" (02-120 from cellular phones and outside Seoul, and press "9" for foreign language services) for any information you need on Seoul. Seoul City's one-stop call center has begun its English, Japanese, and Chinese services for international residents since September 2007.

They provide information on; Tourism and tourist attractions, Restaurants, Transportation (bus, subway, taxi, etc), Interpretation Services, Lost items, etc. The Business hours is 9 a.m to 6 p.m., from Monday to Friday.

Site Links

The Official Korea Tourism Guide Site:www.visitkorea.or.kr/intro.html
The Official Seoul City Tourism Guide Site: www.visitseoul.net
The Incheon International Airport Site : www.airport.kr/eng/airport/
The Seoul Metro Service Site: www.seoulmetro.co.kr

Additional Information For Delegates

Currency.
The currency in Korea is the Won. The exchange rate fluctuates against many currencies but for most purposes 1000 won = $1US. You are able to change many currencies at the airport, in local banks in Seoul and at the hotel, but be aware that you will need Korean won to buy a ticket on the bus from the airport to the hotel.

Travel between Airport and Hotel.
To Grand Hyatt Hotel. A KAL (Korean Airlines) bus directly to the Grand Hyatt Hotel leaves the airport every half hour and costs 14,000 won. The journey takes about 40 - 80 minutes depending on local traffic. You are strongly recommended to take this bus. Taxis can be expensive as the hotel is over 20 km from the airport on a toll road and all local roads can be very congested. The Korean Airline desk will tell you where to pick up this bus. Please make sure that you have enough Korean Money (Won) for the fare.

To Airport. Tickets are available from the hotel desk, if you purchase your ticket in good time the cost can be added to your hotel bill.

If for any reason you are not able to use the KAL service it is recommended that you take an airport bus to downtown Seoul (Seoul City Hall) and take a taxi to the hotel.

Once at the hotel there are numerous local buses to the city and the comprehensive subway system, while a taxi to downtown Seoul from the hotel is about 5000 won and takes only a few minutes. At the hotel there are two types of taxis, the local cabs and the black luxury but more expensive cabs. Tipping taxi drivers is not the norm and drivers will provide a printed receipt on request.

A one, two or three day City Pass (15,000 - 35,000) travel ticket is available; this pass includes the City Downtown Tours except for the City Night Tour. The City Tour bus can be boarded on the main road just outside the hotel, some 20 metres down from the local bus stop. A single round trip on the City Tour lasts about 2 hours for 5000 won or an unlimited 'hop on hop off' ticket is 10,000 won.

Communications.
Public telephones are widely available but mobiles from many countries will not work in Seoul. Korea uses the CDMA system. You should check with your local supplier. A short-term mobile telephone hire service is available at the airport. A wireless Internet service will be available to delegates during conference while a cable service is available in hotel rooms at an on-line charge based on usage with a maximum daily rate.


A full programme of events has been arranged for those people accompanying delegates to conference. This is provided at cost and as usual includes participation in all delegates social events, including the Welcome Reception, the Korean Evening and the Gala Dinner. The cost is US$150 for each person.

Please note that due to limited administrative resources we can offer Accompanying Persons only a single fixed price for the whole or any part of the tours or official social programmes.

Note: You should be aware that the charge for the Accompanied Persons Programme is payable on arrival at the hotel.

Monday 20 October 2008

19:00 Welcome reception at the hotel

Tuesday 21 October 2008

9:30 to 17:00 Guided tour to Donggureung Tomb and Samcheonggak (Casual dresses recommended).

Donggureung Tomb is located in a large forest area, and is the resting place of Joseon kings. There are nine royal mausoleums and seventeen graves in total. The tombs are very large compared to other tombs in Korea, and because of the large forest, the surrounding scenery is very beautiful. The nine royal mausoleums include Joseon Dynasty's founding King Taejo.
website: jikimi.cha.go.kr/english/royal_palaces_new/Donggureung.jsp


Samcheonggak is a cultural experiential centre that preserves the traditional homes of Korea. It offers a number of traditional culture courses such as national classical music, tea ceremony, and Korean industrial arts. Accompanying persons will take a 90 minute course to learn how to play Korean traditional music.
website: www.3pp.co.kr/eng/main.html


The tour will include a break for refreshments (tea, coffee and snacks) and lunch.

19:00 Korean Night at Korea House (buses leaving the hotel at 18:30)

Wednesday 22 October 2008

9:30 to 17:00 Guided tour to Gyeongbokgung, National Palace Museum, and Insadong (Casual dresses recommended).

Gyeongbokgung is the main palace of the Joseon Dynasty, which was built in 1395 by the King Taejo, the first King of the Joseon Dynasty. The Palace had magnificent and densely arranged complex of some 330 buildings. Inside the palace were administrative buildings for the king and government officials, residential areas for the royal family, and a rear garden for relaxation.
website: www.gbg.go.kr/html/eng/main/main.jsp


National Palace Museum displays more than 40,000 precious items, including a royal seal, irworobong-do (a picture of the Sun, Moon, and Five Peaks) that was placed behind the royal throne to symbolize the King's grand authority and a sipjangsaeng-do (a picture of ten objects symbolizing longevity). It also shows hundreds of folding screens depicting flowers and birds, thousands of bowls used in the rites of paying homage to ancestors, handcrafted wooden furniture, costumes and accessories.
website: www.gogung.go.kr/eng/index.jsp


Insadong and the surrounding area were the residences of Joseon Dynasty (A.D.1392-1910) officials, extended royal families, and the aristocratic class. Today, Insadong has been home to dozens of art galleries and antique shops. Insadong's narrow alleys branch out into all directions from one main street.
website: english.visitkorea.or.kr


The tour will include a break for refreshments (tea, coffee and snacks) and lunch.

Free Evening

Thursday 23 October 2008

Free Day (Recommended Tour Sites)

Seoul City Bus Tour is the quickest, most convenient way for visitors to explore Seoul's tourist sites. For the price of a single ticket, you can get on and off the bus as many times as you like. Courses take you past Korea's royal palaces, though downtown Seoul's major tourist destinations and to the city's night time attractions. A new double-decker bus, meanwhile, takes you along Seoul's newly restored Cheonggyecheon Stream, the city's new centre for culture and leisure (Nearest bus stop is just outside the hotel).

Itaewon is a place where cultures and religions from all around the world meet. Because of this Itaewon has become one of Seoul's most cosmopolitan areas with a large number of ethnic restaurants. Here you'll find authentic Indian, Pakistani, Swiss and Thai restaurants as well as German and Italian dining spots. However, Itaewon is more than just food. As a meeting place for diverse cultures it also contains a variety of clothing, jewellery, luggage, suit and foreign import stores.

Myeongdong is a mid-priced shopping district in Seoul, well known for offering mid to high-priced trendy fashions and accessories. Fashion boutiques and name brand clothing chains abound in this area. It also home to three major department stores: Migliore, Avatar and High Harriet.

N Seoul Tower, often called Namsan Tower after the name of the mountain it is located on, is the most identifiable landmark in the Seoul City skyline. Visitors can get a glimpse of this impressive structure jutting into the heavens from many places all around Seoul.

For more information, please visit the website: english.visitkorea.or.kr/

19:00 Gala Dinner at the Han River Cruise (buses leaving the hotel at 17:30)

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