Korean Job Discussion Forums

Real Reality · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul

South Korean authorities stepped up security at airports after Korean Air's Bangkok office received a letter warning of attacks on flights to the country, officials said.

The letter, received late Friday, was sent by an unknown group identifying itself as the "Anti-Korean Interest Agency," Korean Air said.

Some officials have suggested the threats could be related to discontent abroad with a drive by Seoul launched in November to deport illegal immigrants.

A growing number of Thai people have been turned away at the airport due to concerns that they may become illegal migrant workers in the country. Last year about 6,800, more than 11 percent of the total 58,000 South Korea-bound Thais, were denied entry.
http://asia.news.yahoo.com/040117/afp/040117085915int.html

HBK · Joined: 15 Jan 2004 Location: Heartbreak Hotel

funny you mention that.

when I arrived in Inchon airport I walked straight out with my luggage while everyone else had to be checked

makes me wonder...BLISS!!! Cool

Ilsanman · Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Location: Bucheon, Korea

In HK, some airport official asked me where I am from. Since his wording was vague, instead of Korea, I said Canada. He said 'Ok, go ahead.'

humanuspneumos · Joined: 08 Jun 2003

A bunch of young guys in their twenties who are paid very little and just marching around here and there can't be called "stepped-up" can it?

Walter Mitty · Joined: 27 Mar 2003 Location: Tokyo! ^.^

I've always had an easy time at Incheon.

Anybody know what Gimpo's like? I'm taking the Gimpo-Haneda route to and from Tokyo for Lunar New Year. Last time I went through there was back in '99. All I remember is what a bad layout the airport had.

Incheon's nicer, but flying into Haneda beats the hell out of Narita.

Alias · Joined: 24 Jan 2003

jaebea · Joined: 21 Sep 2003 Location: SYD

I recently took this flight on Asiana when I visited Tokyo for a week.

Outbound Gimpo to Haneda is pretty standard. Pay your airport tax (little booth next to the departure area), then stroll through. Obligatory checks of your hand carry, pick it up, get your papers sorted (passport/that annoying form) then up to the departure lounge. You can buy some last minute duty free goods here too. I got a bottle of Andong Soju for my host family.

Once in Haneda, pretty straight forward. Down an escalator, clear immigration (get out of the plane FAST as the non-Japanese queue can be long). Get your luggage then out to customs. Nothing to declare and away you go. I don't mind being pulled up since I have nothing to hide, but it's about confidence. Just a firm "No" when asked if anything to declare will do.

Return trip from Haneda was pretty much the same.

Check your luggage in, don't bother with the tax there. Get passport and boarding pass ready while you get everything scanned in metal detectors etc. Walk down and declare any duty free goods you bought OUTSIDE the airport (the invoice should be in your passport), then in through immigration. Checks for stamps and papers once again, then up to another lounge. I thought the Haneda lounge was far nicer than the Gimpo lounge, so there's my 2c.

Once at Gimpo, same deal as before. Get in early to clear immigration quickly, pick up luggage then breeze through customs again.

The key is to get to immigration as quick as you can.. :)

jae.