South Korea occupies the southern half of the Korean Peninsula, bordered by North Korea to the north and surrounded by the Yellow Sea to the west and the Sea of Japan to the east. It is a country of approximately 52 million people with one of the highest population densities in the world, concentrated in the Seoul Capital Area — Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi Province — which holds around half the national population. Seoul itself has been continuously settled since the 18th century BC; the five grand Joseon dynasty palaces built between 1395 and the 17th century are still standing in the city centre, several in active use as cultural sites. Gyeongbokgung, the largest and most complete, has the Royal Guard Changing Ceremony at 10:00 and 14:00 daily.
South Korea’s transport infrastructure is among the most efficient in the world. Seoul’s metro system covers 23 lines and 700 stations, with English signage throughout; the T-money card works on metro, bus and taxi. The KTX high-speed rail network connects Seoul to Busan in 2.5 hours and to most major cities in under 3. Incheon International Airport, 70 kilometres west of Seoul, has been rated the world’s best airport multiple times and processes arrivals efficiently. Korean e-Visa applications are required for Malaysian passport holders and should be completed before travel.
Halal dining in South Korea has expanded significantly over the past decade, driven by tourism from Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Seoul has the strongest halal infrastructure: the Itaewon district has the country’s largest mosque (the Seoul Central Mosque, built in 1976) and the highest concentration of halal-certified restaurants. The Korean Tourism Organisation maintains an updated halal restaurant database. Outside Seoul, Busan and Jeju Island have a growing number of halal options. The best time to visit is spring (March to May) for cherry blossom season or autumn (September to November) for foliage — both are the country’s most popular travel periods and accommodation should be booked well in advance.
Best time to visit
March to May, September to November
