Travel Tips for Colleagues Attending the World IVR Korean Conference

This information is provided to you personally and is not official information from the IVR organizers. Please keep in mind that this is not from the official materials of the organizing committee.

 

The World IVR Conference in Korea is just a few days away. Although I am not participating as a committee member this time, I am personally involved in the 'Legal Positions' special workshop and have provided some personal assistance, such as arranging a Korean traditional music performance. Here are some tips for my colleagues in legal philosophy and philosophy arriving from abroad.

 

Public Transportation

- Entering Seoul from Incheon Airport (using airport limousine bus or Airport Railroad Express): If using the Airport Railroad, you will need to transfer at Hongdae or Seoul Station. The airport limousine bus is more convenient for reaching famous hotels in central Seoul. However, there can be longer wait times between buses. For example, if you're going to "The Plaza Hotel Seoul" where the reception event is held, take bus number 6701, which will drop you off at the nearest stop to the hotel. Traveling alone, taxis to Seoul can be quite expensive, so the airport limousine bus is the best option if the route aligns well.

- Getting around Seoul (using a recharged transportation card): In Seoul, transfer discounts apply between buses and between buses and subways. It is recommended to buy and recharge a transportation card, which can be purchased at subway station customer centers or convenience stores (CU). The transfer discount applies within 30 minutes of getting off and does not apply if you board the same bus number again. Remember to tag the card on the reader when boarding and alighting. A single trip for a short distance costs around 1,500 KRW (a little over 1 USD), so if you plan to travel to the event venue five round trips (10 one-way trips), charging 20,000 to 30,000 KRW should be sufficient.

- Using taxis and apps: Ride-sharing using private cars is illegal in Korea, so even if you use the Uber app, it operates only with local taxi services. The taxi app commonly used by Koreans (Kakao Taxi) can be difficult for foreigners to register with due to identity verification and credit card registration. On most roads without designated taxi stands, you can hail a taxi by waving your hand from the sidewalk if the "빈차" (vacant) sign is lit on the front window. However, with most people booking taxis via apps, finding a vacant taxi on the street is becoming more difficult. In Seoul's constant traffic, public transportation is recommended over taxis if you need to be punctual.

 

Map Apps

- Google Maps is very inconvenient in Korea and provides inaccurate shortest routes and traffic information. While I use Google Maps in most countries, I avoid it entirely in Korea.

- The most commonly used map and transportation apps among locals are Naver Map and Kakao Map. I use Naver Map. It is convenient to install the app on your mobile phone in advance. Especially if you download the map of Seoul, you can save cellular data when you can't access Wi-Fi.

    - [Naver Map on Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nhn.android.nmap)

    - [Naver Map on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/naver-map-navigation/id311867728)

- For buses, the real-time arrival information provided by these apps is highly accurate. For subways, since they generally run at regular intervals of 5 to 15 minutes, real-time information is less significant.

 

Traveling from The Plaza Hotel Seoul to Soongsil University Event Venue

- Soongsil University, the main event venue, is far from downtown areas like The Plaza Hotel and Gangnam. It takes about 40 minutes to 1 hour to get there.

- The organizers might provide shuttle buses, but I am not sure as there has been no official announcement yet.

- *UPDATE*: According to Professor Brian Bix, as he mentioned in the FB comment, there seems to be a shuttle departing from the Plaza Hotel to Soongsil University and back once a day, except on Wednesday when there is an excursion. The email from the organizers stated: “The shuttle is scheduled to depart from the Plaza Hotel around 8am on July 8, 9, 11, and 12, and depart from Soongsil University at 6:30pm.” I have emailed the organizers to ensure accurate information. I will update you with more precise details as soon as I receive their response.

 

Opening Concert: Be sure to attend the Korean traditional music performance at The Plaza Hotel on the evening of July 7th!

- Personally, what I most recommend among the side events of this IVR is the Korean traditional music performance. Top traditional musicians in Korea have prepared a performance that even Koreans rarely experience.

- One of the main performers is a long-time friend of mine and one of the greatest geomungo masters. Although I could not participate as a committee member for this IVR, through her, I had the honor of arranging a performance by the top masters of the National Gugak Center, the best traditional music orchestra in Korea.

- Many will attend the concert on Thursday, July 11th, but do not miss the opening reception event on Sunday, July 7th, at The Plaza Hotel upon arrival. The July 11th concert will be a modernized jazz-Korean traditional music performance, while on July 7th, you will experience more traditional court music, jeongak, traditional dance, and drum performances. This is a performance that even local Koreans find hard to watch live. All participants, even those not staying at The Plaza Hotel, are strongly encouraged to attend this reception performance.

- The July 7th event is expected to take place after 6 PM, but please check the final schedule on the website.

- In contrast, the concert on July 11th will be a very exciting stage blending traditional Korean music and modern music.

- Here are links to past performances similar to those that might be presented at the event. Don't miss this rare opportunity.

 

Cheonnyeonmanse: [Watch Here](https://youtu.be/supAVYZcvcg?si=cdD3mkgoKJzFLg9h&t=79)

 

Geomungo Solo (Dalmoori): [Watch Here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGerT_7dR3c)

 

Seulgidung (Spirit of Goguryeo): [Watch Here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OF2TEIvKAz0)

 

Sanjo Fantasy (with guitarist Kim Do-kyun): [Watch Here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBcZdyy958o)