South Korea in December

Cold and dry; Christmas markets and lights in Seoul; ski season opens.

• Seoul and north-west · Seoul, Incheon, Suwon, the DMZcool

  Continental: dry winters down to −15 °C on cold snaps, hot humid summers. Fine dust (yellow dust and pollution) peaks Mar–Apr; the monsoon runs late Jun – Jul.

• Busan and south-east coast · Busan, Gyeongju, Tongyeong, Ulsancool

  Milder winters than Seoul, rarely below freezing; typhoons most likely Aug–Sep and ferries to Japan stop when they pass.

• Jeju · Jeju City, Seogwipo, Hallasancool

  Windy and wet; the island takes the first hit of most typhoons. Hallasan summit gets snow in winter; flights stop in strong crosswinds.

• Gangwon mountains and east coast · Sokcho, Seoraksan, Gangneung, Pyeongchangcool

  Coldest region: ski season Dec–Feb, peak autumn colour mid-October in Seoraksan; summer beaches crowded in late Jul – Aug.

• Seoul4° / -3°, 8 rain days

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• Christmas Day

  25 Dec

  Public holiday; restaurants and Myeongdong crowded, shops open.

• Christmas and year-end lights

  December · Seoul

  Evening crowds on the shopping streets.

• New Year bell ringing

  31 December, midnight · Seoul

  Streets around Jongno close; the subway runs late that night (check).

Crowds · South Korea

Medium

Prices · South Korea

Medium

• Layers: a fleece or light jacket

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