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Showing posts with the label Korean geography

Essential Concepts for Filing Korea’s Real Estate Capital Gains Tax: Single-Household Rules, Residency, Partial Ownership, and High-Value Homes

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When you turn off the lights in a familiar living room and carry out the last box, it’s easy to feel that the move is finally complete. But leaving a home always comes with one final, unseen step — reviewing the capital gains tax that arises when transferring a property. Before settling into a new space, it’s important to take a moment to close this quiet yet essential chapter as well. Basic Concepts of Korea’s Capital Gains Tax on Real Estate: Unders tanding Single-Household Ownership, Residency Status, and Partial Ownership Description: To accurately file capital gains tax on real estate in Korea, it is essential to understand the concepts of a single-household one-home rule, residency vs. non-residency, partial ownership of a property, temporary two-home situations, and high-value properties. This post provides a clear overview of these key ideas. Introduction: Hello, dear readers. Today, I would like to briefly introduce one of Korea’s major tax systems—the capital gains tax. This ...
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Just One Hour from Seoul! Dumulmeori in Yangpyeong — The Peaceful Scenery Where Two Rivers Meet

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A gentle breeze drifts over the lotus-covered waters of Dumulmeori, while a sailboat brings life to the peaceful scene. At this meeting point of the Namhan and Bukhan Rivers, nature and art come together in perfect harmony — an iconic view of Dumulmeori.  The Hidden Paradise of Korea, Dumulmeori in Yangpyeong — The Peaceful Scenery Where Two Rivers Meet Introduction: Yangpyeong, a Peaceful Escape Near Seoul Dear readers, greetings! Today, I would like to introduce Yangpyeong , a charming town close to Seoul, where nature and tranquility coexist beautifully. Let’s begin right away. Just about an hour east of Seoul, an entirely different world unfolds before your eyes. For example, if you visit Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul and take the subway from Gyeongbokgung Station, you will arrive at Yangsu Station in approximately 1 hour and 12 minutes. From there, you can easily begin your journey through Yangpyeong without any special guidance. The place I’m introducing today — Dumulmeo...
Location: 미국 뉴욕
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Changdeokgung Palace Complete Guide: A Joseon Dynasty Palace in Harmony with Nature, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

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  A peaceful view of Donhwamun, the main gate of Changdeokgung Palace. Changdeokgung Palace: The Art of Harmony Between Nature and Royal Architecture (UNESCO World Heritage Site) Dear readers, hello! Today, I would like to introduce Changdeokgung Palace , one of Korea’s most beautiful and historically significant royal palaces. Located in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Changdeokgung is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that represents the aesthetics of the Joseon Dynasty and its deep harmony with nature. Together, we’ll explore its cultural treasures such as Donhwamun Gate, Injeongjeon Hall, and the Rear Garden (Huwon), while uncovering the history and meaning behind them. Many visitors are familiar with Gyeongbokgung Palace, yet some may be hearing about Changdeokgung for the first time. From Incheon International Airport, you can conveniently reach Changdeokgung in about one hour and fifteen minutes by taking bus No. 6011. Let us now begin our journey into the heart of this timeless palace. ...
Location: 미국 뉴욕
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Nami Island Travel Guide: Discover Its History, Culture, and Famous Drama Filming Locations

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Autumn scenery of Nami Island, where gentle ripples meet colorful foliage Prologue: The Memory of a First Visit Dear readers, today I would like to introduce a travel destination that is popular among both Koreans and foreigners. That place is none other than Nami Island. Let’s get started. The road to Chuncheon in Gangwon Province always stirs a sense of anticipation. Driving along the highway that follows the Bukhan River, the landscape unfolds as if painted on a canvas. Sunlight shimmers and dances on the water, and in the river’s center a round, inviting island appears. From a distance it may look like an ordinary river islet, but as you approach, you begin to sense that this place holds stories far beyond a simple landscape. To reach Nami Island, you must take a ferry or shuttle boat. Although the crossing lasts only a few minutes, it always feels like the true beginning of the journey. The thought of heading to an island in the middle of the river brings with it the thrill of ...
Location: 미국 뉴욕
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Discover Yeosu: Korea's Coastal Gem of History and Beauty

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View of Odongdo Island from the Yeosu Maritime Cable Car Introduction: Dear readers, hello. Today, I would like to introduce you to Yeosu , a coastal city in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula, beloved by both locals and travelers alike. In the past, Yeosu was considered a somewhat distant destination due to its limited accessibility from Seoul and the metropolitan area. However, with the recent expansion of transportation options, it has become a far more convenient place to visit. Most notably, the opening of Yeosu Airport now allows travelers to fly directly to the city. This means Yeosu is no longer a destination to postpone simply because of distance; it has become a must-visit travel spot. For many Koreans, including myself, Yeosu is a place that immediately brings to mind one of our most revered historical figures— Admiral Yi Sun-sin . For readers who may not be familiar with him, he is undoubtedly regarded as one of the two most respected figures in Korean histo...
Location: 미국 뉴욕
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Why the Jindo Dog Is Korea’s National Treasure

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Cute little white Jindo puppy                                                               The Jindo Dog: Korea's Loyal and Legendary Native Breed Hello, dear readers. Do you happen to like dogs as well? Today, I’d like to talk with you about Korea’s native dog breeds . Korea is home to four native dog breeds that the nation takes great pride in: the  Jindo ,  Pungsan ,  Sapsali , and  Donggyeongi . These dogs have been raised and preserved over generations, deeply woven into the fabric of Korean culture . Among them, the Jindo dog stands out as the most iconic and widely recognized breed, symbolizing loyalty, intelligence, and strength. A Wolf's Bloodline: Jindos and Pungsans Both the Jindo and Pungsan breeds are known to be genetically close to wolves . This connection gives them heightened hunting instincts...
Location: 미국 뉴욕
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A Trekking Guide to Suwon Hwaseong: Walk Through King Jeongjo’s Dream — Top 5 Routes, Night Views & Photo Spots

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UNESCO Suwon Hwaseong and the adjacent fortress village                                                                           Introduction: Exploring the Inner Structure, Fortress Trekking Routes, Photo Spots, and Seasonal Highlights Hello, dear readers! Today, I’d like to continue our story of Suwon Hwaseong from where we left off last time.In the previous post, we took a spontaneous trip to Suwon Hwaseong Fortress and experienced the charm of this UNESCO World Heritage Site through first impressions. At the end of that story, I promised to introduce the fortress in more detail—including its internal structure, scenic trekking routes, top photo spots, and the best times to visit by season. Today, I'm keeping that promise. This article will take a deeper dive into Suwon Hwaseong, offering practica...
Location: 미국 뉴욕
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Hwaseong Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site: How Solo Foreign Travelers Can Easily Visit from Incheon Airport

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The Northwestern Watchtower (Seobuk Gongsimdon) and the Hwahseomun Barbican of Suwon Hwaseong Fortress"                                          introduction: For many first-time visitors to Korea, one of the biggest worries is arriving without a fixed itinerary. But in today’s travel culture, spontaneity is no longer a drawback—it’s a trend. There’s a saying: “The best travel plans are the ones you didn’t make.” So let’s explore a stress-free journey that begins the moment a solo traveler from an English-speaking country lands at Incheon International Airport with no prior plans. Rather than heading straight to Seoul, Gangnam, or the popular Itaewon district, we’ll set our sights on a unique destination: Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon —a UNESCO World Heritage site rich in history and culture. And before diving into this historic attraction, we’ll enjoy a comforting meal at a multic...
Location: 미국 뉴욕
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