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INFORMATION NOTE


The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Bank of Korea (BOK) welcome you to the Conference on Fiscal and Monetary Policies for Inclusive Growth in Developing and Emerging Markets. Please refer to this page for event guidance. Participants are expected to attend all conference days. While the conference does not charge a registration fee, it is a closed event and requires pre-registration.

1. Visa and K-ETA
Check whether you will require a visa to enter the Republic of Korea.

Ensure that your passport is valid for travel (more than 6 months from the date of arrival) and that you have sufficient blank pages for the necessary immigration stamps on your passport to enter the Republic of Korea or any other country you may be visiting or transiting through.

Inquire directly with the Korean Embassy in your respective country well in advance regarding visa requirements, additional documents, and submission process (an interview may be required). General guidance for visa application, as well as a list of countries with visa exemptions can be found here:
https://www.visa.go.kr/openPage.do?MENU_ID=10101&LANG_TYPE=EN

The Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) is an online travel authorization required for visa-free foreign visitors entering the Republic of Korea for tourism, visiting relatives, attending events or meetings, or conducting business activities (excluding profit-making activities).

For more information and to apply, please visit the official K-ETA website:
https://www.k-eta.go.kr/portal/newapply/index.do?locale=EN

For speakers requiring a visa, please coordinate with the Conference Secretariat as early as possible for assistance with visa documentation.

2. Event-related Information

a. Venue and registration
The conference will be held in the conference hall on the 2nd floor of the Annex Building of the Bank of Korea.
Location map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Dy98vNFx5uFwsq6f7

Upon arrival at the Bank of Korea, go to the information desk for verification. Follow the staff's guidance to the conference hall. Arrive by 8:50 am (Seoul time, UTC+9) on Day 1 for registration. The opening session starts at 9:00 am.

b. Working language of the conference
The workshop will be conducted in English. No translation/interpretation services will be provided. All documentation will also be in English.

c. Conference presentations
Presentations will be shared electronically to promote a more sustainable conference.

d. General agenda


3. Meal arrangements for pre-registered participants
Lunch on 16–17 July will be provided free for all participants.
Coffee and refreshments will be provided in the morning and afternoon.
Conference speakers are invited to a dinner hosted by BOK on 16–17 July.
All other meals not listed above will be at the participant’s own expense.

4. Travel

a. Air tickets
ADB-sponsored speakers are responsible for arranging travel to arrive in Seoul no later than 15 July 2025 to attend both conference days. Please send a copy of your final flight itinerary to the Conference Secretariat for monitoring purposes and to ensure airfare costs are within ADB’s allowable limit.

b. Health protocol
Airlines/carriers may have different requirements to board their flights.

c. Hotel accommodation and airport transfers
Participants will be staying at

The Plaza Seoul Autograph Collection Hotel
119 Sogong-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea 04525
Tel. No.: +82-2-771-2200
Website: https://www.hoteltheplaza.com/en/
8-minute walk from the Bank of Korea Headquarters

Any incidental charges (i.e., laundry, mini bar, international calls, room service, extended stay, additional guest room accommodation cost and meals, etc.) will be charged to the participant’s personal account. Upon check-out, participants are expected to settle all personal accounts directly with the Hotel.

Self-funded participants who wish to stay at The Plaza Seoul during the event can benefit from a special discount. Get in touch with the Conference Secretariat for details.

Airport Limousine Bus No. 6701 offers convenient transportation from Incheon International Airport to the conference’s main hotel. Tickets are available at the ticket box located near the limousine bus platform at the airport and can also be purchased at the hotel front desk. The one-way fare is KRW 18,000 (approximately USD 13). https://www.klimousine.com/EN/bus/limousine.php?bus_no=6701#inner

5. General Information

a. Venue location
The Bank of Korea is located in central Seoul, near Myeongdong and Seoul City Hall. All buildings and properties of the Bank of Korea are managed as “top security” locations based on the security grading system of the government of the Republic of Korea.

All conference participants must verify their identity as attendees at the main entrance. Subsequently, a Bank of Korea staff member will escort them to the conference hall. For security purposes, it is mandatory for all participants to wear their conference name badges at all times while within the Bank’s premises.

b. Internet
Wi-Fi access QR codes will be provided both in the conference hall and in the printed materials distributed to participants.

c. Proper behavior and attire
Proper behavior is always expected for the participants’ stay in the host country related to the event organized by ADB and BOK. Participants are expected to wear business attire for the duration of the conference and must observe proper conduct, respect, and decorum as expected by the host country and in accordance with ADB’s Code of Ethics. Participants will be personally liable for any form of behavior unacceptable to the host country/host agency; to ADB and BOK; or to any person during and until departure from the host country.

 d. Consent to use without permission or compensation
This event may be photographed, or video recorded by organizers. By participating in the conference, participants thereby consent to the possible use of their name, picture, voice, comments, or presentations in any media, video-sharing websites, recordings, disseminations, or other external affairs purposes for the organizers without compensation and permission.

 e. Nearby hospitals


f. Emergency telephone numbers
Police: 112
Ambulance: 119
Medical emergencies (not urgent): 129
Tourist Help Line (24/7, English available): 1330

g. Financial and administrative arrangements
ADB and BOK will not be responsible for expenses such as:

  • Salaries and related allowances for the participants during the conference period;
  • Travel or accident insurance, medical or dental expenses or hospitalization fees incurred in connection with conference attendance;
  • Compensation in the event of death or disability of participants in connection with conference attendance;
  • Any loss or damage to personal property of participants while attending the workshops or losses or damages claimed by third parties because of negligence on the part of the participants; and
  • Any other personal expenses not directly related to the purpose of the conference.

h. Climate/Weather
In mid-July 2025, Seoul will likely be hot, humid, and rainy due to the monsoon season. Temperatures are expected to range from 23°C to 32°C (73°F to 90°F), with frequent heavy showers and high humidity. It’s best to pack light clothing, an umbrella, and waterproof shoes. If you are staying at the hotel, you can borrow an umbrella either from your room or the front desk.

i. Time zone
(UTC +9) Time in Seoul, Republic of Korea

j. Electricity supply
The country uses a standard electricity supply of 220 volts at a frequency of 60 Hz. The most common plug types are Type C and Type F, which are the same as those used in many European countries. Travelers from countries with different voltage standards or plug types—such as the Philippines or the United States—may need a plug adapter and possibly a voltage converter, especially for devices that are not dual voltage. It's a good idea to check your electronics before traveling to ensure compatibility.

 

k. Currency and banking
Currency exchange services are available at airports, major hotels and money changers. BOK is not able to provide currency exchange services. ATMs are in several locations, but many do not accept foreign cards

l. Credit cards
Major credit cards are widely accepted at hotels, restaurants and some shops. Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Diners Club are commonly accepted. Some restaurants and many small shops accept cash only. All taxis in the country accept credit card payments.

m. Tipping
Tipping is not common in Korea, so most restaurants, cafes, and similar establishments do not request tips in advance. However, when paying with cash, it is sometimes customary to leave the change as a tip for the cashier or taxi driver. Tipping in Korea is not mandatory.

n. Smoking
In Korea, smoking is permitted only in designated areas and is strictly prohibited in public spaces. Furthermore, all hotel rooms are non-smoking, and any occurrence of smoking within the room may incur a cleaning fee that could surpass the cost of one night's stay. The Bank of Korea also designates all areas, except for the designated smoking zones, as smoke-free.

o. Conference Secretariat
For logistics concerns, email secretariat07@events.adb.org and adbjimf@bok.or.kr.