The Hindu Business Line : South Korea beckons...

With an average annual growth rate of three per cent, South Korea's major strengths are shipbuilding, steel, chemicals, automobiles, electronic goods, semi-conductors, construction etc; its giant conglomerates such as Hyundai, Samsung and LG are popular the world over.

The country has something to offer visitors of varied interests and tastes. There are markets for general and specific products. The Gyeongdong Herbal Medicine Market in Seoul offers herbs at 25-40 per cent lower prices than other places. The city also has the Yongsan Electronics market — one of Asia's largest — which is an electronic goods buff's paradise, with attractive discounts thrown in for buyers.

The LG factory at Changwon.

Other famous markets and shopping districts offer an array of goods such as clothes, shoes, accessories, fabric, sporting goods, jewellery, gifts, toys, kitchenware, glass, eel skin products (handbags, wallets, shoes etc.), Celadon ceramics (from the Koryo dynasty and green in colour), paper crafts, calligraphic works, paintings, and handbooks made of traditional Korean fabric.

The country's transport infrastructure is modern and efficient; the Korean National Railroad (KORAIL), which operates the train service, operates fast and safe services at very reasonable fares.

South Korea - a shopper's paradise.

The weary traveller would find plenty of opportunities to relax and have fun at the amusement parks, art galleries, museums, temples, palaces, parks, shrines, racecourse, ice-skating, skiing and traditional Korean performances. Some associations and clubs organise activities specially for foreigners.

Text and pictures: Kamal Narang

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