Korean Job Discussion Forums

AustSaint · Joined: 26 Jun 2003 Location: Yongmun

I recently got hired for a job in this area. I went there for an interview and thought it was quite nice, scenically beautiful with the river and the mountains, a rural area. I will be moving there in May, so does anybody have any first hand information about the area, places of interest or just where things are? if they do please let me know.

thanks in advance

thatkidpercy · Joined: 05 Sep 2010

I live in Yongmun.

As for places to see nearby, the most popular are Yongmun-sa (temple) and the famous Unheng-namu (old ginko tree) at the same site. Now the weather is warming up there are hordes of hikers streaming from the station at the weekend - I think most of them head for Yongmun-san (Mt. Yongmun). There are loads of places to go if you like being outdoors - I cycle a lot and the mountains around Yangpyeong are bike friendly so plan on heading out there again soon now that the snow/ice has finally gone!!

Du-mul-meori (the meeting place of the Bukhan and Namhan rivers) and Semiwon (a garden famous for its Lotus flowers) are both located near Yangsu station - about 20mins from Yongmun by subway - and are good to visit also.

Shopping wise, there are a few mid-size supermarkets in Yongmun itself and an open air market on Thursday every week selling fresh fruit and veg. There aren't any of the big stores like Lottemart or Emart, and so you'll have to go elsewhere if you need to get hold of anything out of the ordinary. I usually go to the Emart at Wangsimni station as that's where the Jungang line subway connects to Line2 in Seoul.

There are quite a few foreigners living in the area - most of them work at the nearby English Village. To be honest I haven't mixed with them much as I usually head to Seoul and meet friends/girlfriend there, but I think there's a weekly meetup in Yongmun.

Not really sure what kind of info you wanted, so feel free to ask about anything specific.

Where will you be working?

AustSaint · Joined: 26 Jun 2003 Location: Yongmun

I will be working at a middle school, I have to take the bus to get there. The information you provided gives me a decent odea about the area. I guess I would like to know where the nearest cinemas are, also the nearest place like homeplus. If you could tell me that, it would give me a good idea of the area.

thatkidpercy · Joined: 05 Sep 2010

There's a cinema in Yangpyeong, but it's only 1 screen and in fact I've never been there. The closest one of decent size is in Guri - a Lotte cinema. Guri is about 45 minutes away on the subway.

Maybe somebody else can chime in with more detailed info about shops. There's definitely no Homeplus in the area, but there is a larger mart in Yangpyeong (don't remember the name at present though). To be honest I go to Seoul a lot and so visit the larger stores there and bring the shopping back with me. You'll find most of your day-to-day goods easily in Yongmun though. Emart in Wangsimni -> subway or Lotte Mart in Cheongnyangni -> train are my usual routes! The train from Cheongnyangni to Yongmun runs every 3-4 hours but it's only a 35 min journey so worthwhile if you time it right.

If it's not Yongmun or Jipyeong middle school I don't know any others close to Yongmun - how long was the bus ride?!

AustSaint · Joined: 26 Jun 2003 Location: Yongmun

It is in Dari?a really small school of about 60 odd kids, seems alright. I am going there are teaching at a school of about 1000 odd kids.

thatkidpercy · Joined: 05 Sep 2010

Dari? Hmm... not sure where that is, but 60 kids?? I work in an elementary with 120 kids and I thought this was small!

Anyway.. congrats on the job. If you need any help when you arrive shoot me a private message. There are only a few foreigners that live in Yongmun itself so no doubt I'll see you around anyway!

AustSaint · Joined: 26 Jun 2003 Location: Yongmun

thanks I am sure I will see you around. Does Dongmun have a KEB bank?, it might not be Dari, but I have to catch bus 132 or something like that.

AustSaint · Joined: 26 Jun 2003 Location: Yongmun

thanks I am sure I will see you around. Does Dongmun have a KEB bank?, it might not be Dari, but I have to catch bus 132 or something like that.

thatkidpercy · Joined: 05 Sep 2010

hahaha I wish... I also use KEB but there's nothing but Nonghyeop out here, with the closest KEB branch actually being in Seoul. If you haven't already I'd get your internet banking set up!

AustSaint · Joined: 26 Jun 2003 Location: Yongmun

Damn, my Samsung credit card is linked with my KEB account. I guess a nice trip to Seoul will be in order.