The Republic of Korea is known as a Mecca for shoppers, offering a great variety of items at reasonable prices. Tourists may purchase many necessities and souvenir items of both domestic and foreign origin tax-free at any of the hundreds of shops in department stores and shopping arcades in Seoul as well as major cities throughout the country.

Popular shopping items include jewelry, furs, silk, antique chests, ceramics, lacquerware, brassware, embroidery, personal computers, video and cassette tapes, sportswear, down winter coats, eel skin and leather products, ginseng and dolls. Major department stores located in the heart of Seoul and include Sinsegae, Lotte, Midopa, Samsung Plaza and Hyundai. Also branch department stores can be found in many other areas, often located nearby a subway station.

A network of underground arcades branch out from Myeong-dong, Seoul's most popular shopping and entertainment area. Many subway entrances and underpasses also lead to amazing tunnels of shopping bargains. Of all commercial areas in Seoul, however, Itaewon, which is located adjacent to the major U.S. military compound, bustles with the greatest number of foreigners. Insa-dong, or Mary's Alley, is clustered with many fabulous antique and art stores.

With thousands of shops and stalls, divided section by section according to category of item, Namdaemun and Dongdaemun Markets are the largest general wholesale markets in Korea. They are renowned for offering an inexpensive, wide variety of everyday items. Tourists will easily find any number of things to buy in these markets, which will accommodate all tastes and budgets. Between midnight and 4 a.m., retail merchants from all over the country come to restock their stores, presenting the incredible scene of a nighttime wholesale market.

There is also a wide variety of specialty markets in Seoul, including Gyeongdong Market, a health supplement and Oriental medicine specialty market, and the largest electronics market in Asia, Yongsan Electronics Market. Although most large open-air markets in Korea are closed on Sundays, other large-scale discount stores and department stores are always open all weekend.

More Information
Dongdaemun Market: http://www.dongdaemun.com/foreigntrade/english/
Namdaemun Market: http://www.enamdaemun.com