List of EPIK Provincial Offices of Education (POE)

Teaching in Seoul

Seoul is by far Korea's largest city with well over ten million people and roughly 20 million if you include neighbouring cities and suburbs. As a result, Seoul is also one of the largest cities in the world along with Tokyo and New York.  This third most expensive city in the world is considered Korea's commerce, political and entertainment hub. Because of its immense size and population it is recommended that foreigners avoid driving cars in the city. The vast, low cost subway system that connects virtually every area of the city, as well as taxis and buses; make public transportation much more desirable. Seoul's climate is characterized as temperate, with cold and snowy winters, pleasant springs and falls, and hot summers.

In terms of entertainment, Seoul is a paradise! Dongdaemun and Myeongdong are popular shopping districts with high-end department stores and a great selection of Korean foods. For art enthusiasts, the Insadong district has countless artwork that depicts Korean culture at its finest. The Itaewon shopping district has stores and merchandise that appeal mostly to foreigners.

In and around Seoul there are numerous historic palaces built during the Jseon Dynasty; museums and temples. Seoul also has the world's larges indoor amusement park, Lotte World, which even contains a hotel and shopping mall. For the hot and humid summer days, Everland Amusement Park is the Disneyland of Korea, with non-stop buses going to the park daily from all over the city. Yeonjong Island's beaches are great for those looking to escape the fast-paced city life and enjoy the summer weather. For sports enthusiastS, th FC Seoul of the Korean Football League play in a stadium in the heart of Seoul. Seoul Offiicial Website

Teaching in Busan

This city of over three million is highly regarded as Korea’s most important port and is second largest city after Seoul.  Busan has a temperature climate with four distinct seasons; with December-March being the coldest months and June-August being the hottest.  It is blessed with first-rate hotels and restaurants to go along with great beaches and shopping as well as major attractions, including the Hallyeo Maritime National Park.  The Jagalchi Market is one of the most well-known and largest fish markets in the city.

Busan is also renowned for its annual film festival, the Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF) in October which attract filmmakers and moviegoers from many parts of Korea.  Busan holds numerous well-known events such as the 2005 APEC Economic Leaders Meeting and the 2002 Asian Games. Busan Official Website

Teaching in Daegu

Located near Busan; Daegu is a city of over two million people.  It is one of the largest cities in Korea after Seoul, Busan and Incheon.  Because of Daegu’s location in southeastern Korea, its climate is somewhat milder.  While the summers are hot like the rest of the country, winters tend to be warmer on average.  The central part of the city has a large Oriental medicinal herb market where over 300 medical clinics, herb processing facilities and medicinal shops can be found.

The city of over two million is located nearby many popular tourist sites, including Mt. Palgongsan, Jikjisa Temple and Gayasan National Park.  Many of the nearby parks that surround the city have historic Buddhist temples that attract visitors from all over the world.  Duryu Park, at the foot of Duryu Mountain, has numerous walking trails and a large amusement park, among other attractions. Daegu Official Website

Teaching in Incheon

A very vibrant and sprawling city located in the North eastern part of Korea, and very close to Seoul.  In fact, this city of more than two million serves as a gateway to Seoul, as many people travelling to Seoul go through Incheon International Airport.  The direct subway line to Seoul makes the Incheon Airport a good arrival point.  There are several colleges and universities that can be found in the Incheon area. 

The area is famous for its beautiful islands and beaches, especially the Muuido and Sido Islands, where numerous television dramas have been filmed in the past.  Interestingly, it was the first district in Korea to be receptive to Western culture and thus served on the forefront for this social movement.  And, on February 27, 2007, the city declared itself an “English City”.  This was done for the purposes of enhancing Incheon as a business and commercial hub in Northeast Asia. Incheon Official Website

Teaching in Gwangju

The city of Gwangju is four hours south of Seoul has over a million people.  It is considered the administrative and educational center of the Jeollanam-do province.  Gwangju is in such a central location that you can get anywhere in Korea within 24 hours.  Its climate is fairly reflective of most of Korea.

The city has numerous festivals and parks that make it a great year-round destination.  The most famous festivals are the Kimchi Festival and the Gwangju Biennale.  The nearby Mt. Mudeungsan to the east of the city is renowned for its watermelon and green tea derived from soft buds that emerge from the snow at the end of winter. Gwangju Official Website

Teaching in Daejeon

Like Gwangju, Daejeon is in a central location which allows travel to any part of Korea in less than a day.  It is Korea’s sixth largest city and has a climate that is heavily influenced by the nearby mountains.  Because of its mountain location, Daejeon typically receives more frequent snowfall that other areas of the country.  Winter temperatures are usually below freezing while the summer can be hot and humid.  The city is completely surrounded by four mountains: Mt. Gyeoryongsan, Mt. Gyejoksan, Mt. Sikjangsan and Mt. Maninsan.

In terms of tourism, there are numerous archaeological sites of the Baekje Dynasty such as the Muryeongwangneung Tomb and the World Heritage Site of Gongsanseong Fortress.  The area also has plentiful ginseng fields, making it popular among domestic and foreign visitors who wish to purchase this herb. Daejeon Official Website

Teaching in Ulsan

This city of one million can be found on the southeastern coast of Korea, next to the Sea of Japan.  Its known for its relatively mild climate, although temperatures can get quite cold during winter nights.  It is only accessible by Seoul and Jeju by air—it does not accept international flights.  Ulsan hosts the Ulsan Hyundai Tigers, a Korean League soccer team that plays its home games at Munsu Stadium.  Munsu hosted several matches when the city hosted the World Cup of 2002, and continues to strongly support the team to this day.

Ulsan is committing to better promoting its numerous tourist sites, as it is home to many castles and fortresses from the Shilla Period.  The city has also focused on promoting environmental attractions such as a popular bike path along the Taehwa river, a winter migratory bird habitat and the Mt. Shinbul nature park.  There are also a wide variety of art galleries, museums, and cinemas in and around Ulsan. Ulsan Official Website

Teaching in Gyeonggi

Gyeonggi is by far the most populous region of in Korea as it is the province in which Seoul is located.  Although Seoul is in this province, it has had special administration privileges since 1946 and is referred to as a “Special City.”  On of the most infamous attractions is the Demilitarized Zone tour (DMZ) at the border between North and South Korea.  There is a distance of four kilometers between the two sides which forms this zone.  The border itself is still fiercely guarded by soldiers from both countries and is the most heavily guarded in the world.

This area has over ten million people and is soon to become a center for Hallyu culture following the completion of Hallyuwood.  This will be a theme park that consists of shopping, entertainment and Hallyu-specific cultural events.  Other unique tourist sites include the English Village, an English-themed amusement park.  This park is made to resemble a village in an English-speaking country in which guests experience cultures of the world from an English perspective.  For native Koreans, it is designed to increase their motivation to learn English. Gyeonggi Official Website

Teaching in Gangwon

The Gangwon region is one of the oldest in Korea; it was one of the eight original provinces during the Joseon Dynasty, formed in 1395.  Its northern boundary changed once Korea was divided into two following World War II and the subsequent Korean War.  Because of its large size and small population of a little over one million, Gangwon has a very low population density compared with other areas of the country.  However, the scenic east coast of the region is only a three hour drive from Seoul.

The Chuncheon and Namiseom Islands have become major tourist destinations in Korea.  Widely viewed as having spectacular sunsets and plentiful recreation resorts, these sites attract both domestic and foreign tourists alike.  A variety of water-sports such as kayaking, rafting and water-skiing can be found in summer.  Skiing in the Yongpyong and Sunwoo resorts are popular winter sports in this area. Gangwon Official Website

Teaching in Chungbuk

This mountainous, land-locked region has a small population of only one million.  Because of its mountainous location, many cities in Chungbuk receive more precipitation in the form of rain and snow than other areas of Korea.  Even though the climate is relatively reflective of the rest of the country, some of the coastal cities experience more mild temperatures in the winter.  

Chungbuk has the one of the oldest temples in Korea, known as Beopjusa, that can be found in Sobaek National Park.  Nearby this famous temple is the 1.058 meter tall Mt. Songni, a popular tourist spot due to the spectacular views of the surrounding valleys of Hwayang, Seonyudon and Ssanggok.  Due to the mountainous nature of the region, skiing is a very popular sport in the winter.  Golf courses have also been constructed to take advantage of the breath-taking scenery that the mountains provide. Chungbuk Official Website

Teaching in Chungnam

This region can be found in the west of Korea and has a population of around two million.  However, despite its small population, it remains an important area for transportation around Korea.  This is due to the frequent crossing of major rail lines and highways within the region.  As a result, many travelers going between the northern and southern areas of the country end up going through Chungnam.

One of the biggest tourist destinations in this region is Mount Gyeryong which stands at 845 meters.  It is well-known for its unique rock formations and historic temples in the surrounding area.  Also, some of the best bathing beaches in the country can be found in Taean Marine National Park.  The Independence Hall of Korea is another big attraction in this area; it pays homage to those who fought against foreign invasions throughout the history of Korea. Chungnam Official Website

Teaching in Jeonbuk

This area of two million people has some of the hottest temperatures in summer in Korea, with winter being relatively cold.  Jeonbuk perceives itself as having Korea’s best tasting foods, as well as having a great natural environment, complete with mountains, parks, rivers and lakes.  One of the most popular tourist attractions in Jeonbuk is Soswaewon Garden, located in Damyang.  Its enormous bamboo trees attract visitors from all over the country.  There are also numerous green tea fields in Boseong and Gurye that are cultivated in the spring. 

Apart from also being a popular skiing region due to its many mountains, Jeobuk is also known for its abundant Korean souvenirs.  A wide variety of companies making souvenirs such as woodenware, bamboo fans, Korean paper and authentic jewelry can be found in Jeonbuk.

Teaching in Jeonnam

Apart from Jeju, this is the most southerly region of Korea with over 2,000 islands along the coastline, albeit three-quarters of which are uninhabited by people.  The population of two million is confined into a relatively small area.  After Jeju, it is the most southerly province in Korea, therefore having a milder climate than other parts of Korea.  To illustrate, the average temperatures in winter rarely drop below freezing.   The coastline itself is over 6,100 kilometers long.  There is a significant marine product influence here, particularly oyster and seaweed cultivation, the most in the country. 

There are numerous water-based activities that can be found among Jeonnam and its islands.  One of the fun and popular activities is the Open Water Swimming content between Heuksando Island and Hongdo Island.  Captain Cooks Island Adventure is an exciting program that offers a tour of the islands of Jeonnam for the adventurous type. Jeonnam Official Website

Teaching in Gyeongbuk

Over 250,000 college students representing 38 universities can also be found in this region.  Not surprisingly, this vast network of universities has contributed to tremendous growth of science, technology and other knowledge-based industries.  This region is surrounded by mountains, allowing for extremes in temperatures for both summer and winter.  However, the closer you get to the East Sea, the warmer and more moderate the climate is. 

This large region of over two million is the home of many ethnic cultures including the Buddhists originating from the Silla Dynasty and the Confusion culture of the Joseon Dynasty.  Nearby, the historic villages of Hahoe and Yangdong in Andong and Gyeongju respectively, are certainly worth touring.  Because of these World Heritage sites, along with the region containing 20% of Korea’s assets, Gyeongbuk is regarded as one of the largest cultural centers in the country. Gyeongbuk Official Website

Teaching in Gyeongnam

This region of three million has a significant agriculture influence like many other provinces in Korea.  The climate of Gyeongnam can differ significantly depending on your location within the region.  Being around the mountains generally calls for more temperature extremes while southern locations tend to be much more moderate due to the sea.  Overall, the average temperatures in winter hover just above freezing while the summer temperatures are reflective of most of the country.

 One of the most widely-recognized temples in Korea can be found in Gyeongnam.  The World Heritage Site temple of  Haeinsa, which was originally built in the year 802, houses the Tripitaka Koreana and is very popular with tourists.  The temple is one of the Three Jewel Temples of Korea.  It can be found on Gaya Mountain in the major national park around Jirisan. Gyeongnam Official Website

Teaching in Jeju

Jeju is a small, self-governing province in southern Korea.  Because of its isolation from the rest of the country, the people of this area have developed culture and a language that is somewhat different from the rest of Korea.  Jeju’s natural beauty, mild climate, and wide variety of convention options makes this area a popular location for business meetings to take place.  Jeju was recently named as the 9th most popular meeting destination in Korea.

The island is regarded is a leisure paradise by many, with its beaches, waterfalls, scuba diving, hiking and para-gliding to name a few.  It has the Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes attraction, which is a significant World Heritage Site.  The tallest mountain in Korea, Hallasan is the volcano that created the island, and thus is the base of this heritage site.  This site has one of the most diverse types of flora and fauna found across many subtropical and temperature climatic zones, making it all the more appealing to tourists. Jeju Official Website