Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Penelope]

Hi all,

I am from Minnesota. I know the winters get cold in South korea, down to about 15 degrees F., but I wonder how heavy of a coat I need. Is the windchill a huge factor? Would an unlined wool coat suffice, or should I just bring my normal coat from here?

Thank you for your help!

Pen

[canuckistan]

You'll probably find winter a much easier go of it in Korea than Minnesota, especially if you'll be in Seoul--hardly any snow at all. -14C for a couple of days, the rest is easy. No digging out the car!
Your regular winter coat is fine, even if you're out in the countryside.

[VanIslander]

Entirely depends where you are.

Here on Geoje I don't need a winter jacket at all. The coldest day is + 2 C (though -5 C at night has been recorded).

The nearby big city of Busan gets two or three degrees cooler, with a cold wind occasionally, so a sweater under a windbreaker or a light winter coat and scarf would be advisable.

-10 C? -15 C? ... Not for the millions around here.

Yet you only have to go up to Daegu to get freezing winter temperatures in that range, and I hear Seoul too.

[slap it]

really depends where you go in korea. if you're going to jeju island or pusan.....the winter won't be too bad at all. if you are going to seoul, it gets pretty cold. i lived in colorado before and still the dry winter cold in seoul got to me at times. especially january and february...brrrr. if you're heading towards kangneung, pack heavy, that place is like the rocky mountains. tons of snow and freezing weather.

[slap it]

really depends where you go in korea. if you're going to jeju island or pusan.....the winter won't be too bad at all. if you are going to seoul, it gets pretty cold. i lived in colorado before and still the dry winter cold in seoul got to me at times. especially january and february...brrrr. if you're heading towards kangneung, pack heavy, that place is like the rocky mountains. tons of snow and freezing weather.

[moptop]

I'm from Vancouver, Canada, and I find it freaking cold in winter. Last year I was in Yeouido, Seoul on the Han River and the wind dang near ripped the skin from my face. I had to wear a dorky medical mask when I went outside. My school was so cold I had chilblains, or cold blisters on my hands and feet. I would regularly burn my shoes or boots from practically humping the electric space heater.

You'll find people have all different experiences with the weather. I suggest buying a few pairs of long underwear (men's if you are tall or a big size) from the street vendors here, and pick up a knee length down jacket from Dongdaemun Stadium. They sell for between 30-50,000 won and you only need to wear a t-shirt underneath due to the chronic overheating of subways and buses in this country. Bring your unlined wool jacket for the 4 days cold/3 days warm winter phenomenon, and wear it on off days.

I also have a down vest I live in because it packs down small to stuff in your bag for emergencies, and many a day I have sat with it over my legs to warm them. That should be all you need to survive the winter!

[peppermint]

One thing that hasn't been mentioned. Central heating outside of the home isn't a given here in Korea. Lots of schools ( both hagwons and public) rely on rather inefficient space heaters

[Big Mac]

I would say take whatever you would wear in Minnesota for the winter. I'm from Ontario and I found it really cold last winter in the Seoul area. Yeah, there's no snow and the mercury doesn't drop as low as it does back home, but it's still damn cold. The wind and the dampness make it feel colder I think.

[kangnam mafioso]

i don't care what anybody says ... it gets bloody freezing in seoul in january and february especially. you don't need an artic suit or anything, but bring the heavy jacket you wear in minnesota.