Despite South Korea’s small size—slightly larger than Indiana—it hosts the largest U.S. military installation overseas: Camp Humphreys. In 1957, United States Forces Korea (USFK) was established to provide support and training alongside the Combined Forces Command (CFC) and United Nations Command (UNC). If you find yourself with orders to Korea, there is so much to do during your time there. Whether you are stationed in Seoul, Camp Humphreys, Daegu or Busan, here are our top things to get excited about!
8 things for military families to enjoy in Korea:
1. Café Culture
There is nowhere else in the world that does cafes like South Korea. On any street, you can find several different cafes of varying themes, serving the classic “Americano” to specialty coffees and decadent pastries. See how many you can visit during your time in Korea; there is no possibility you will even get to half of them.
2. Spas
Embrace the jjmjilbangs and spas. Prepare to disrobe, soak and bathe at the jjmjilbangs, showcasing your birthday suit to all. But don’t fret; the Korean culture is highly conservative, so the bath areas are not co-ed. Another unique spa experience is a rice enzyme spa where you are buried (with clothes on) under a hot rice enzyme for purification. Bonus experience is when an ajumma assists in your enzyme removal in the showers afterward.
3. Skincare
South Korea is known for its innovative yet affordable skin care products. Stores like Olive Young make adding products to your daily regimen a breeze. Treatments such as Botox, laser hair removal, and more are a fraction of the cost in the United States.
4. Asia Travel
Seoul-Incheon is a launching pad for anywhere you want to go in Asia. Travel throughout Asia is typically more affordable than places like Europe and boasts some of the best scenery in the world. It’s also family-friendly, with most airports reserving dedicated security and customs lines for families traveling with young children.
5. Buddhist temples
Korea has no shortage of temples, many nestled among the mountains and some along the water, offering beautiful views. These ornate places of worship and meditation make for a great weekend exploring and immersing yourself in the country’s Buddhist culture.
6. The food
If spice is not your friend, don’t worry; there are many cuisines to enjoy in Korea: Bulgogi, bibimbop, hotteok, Korean BBQ, and more. Spend a weekend (or several) in Seoul sampling various Korean dishes at the Gwangjang Market, Namdaemun Market, or Tongin Traditional Market.
7. Festivals
South Korea seems to have a festival every month throughout the year. There is something for everyone, from ice festivals to cherry blossom festivals, Buddha’s birthday celebrations, and even water festivals!
8. Treks
Roughly 70% of Korea’s terrain is mountainous (though not extremely steep), making for some great outdoor hiking adventures. Take on the volcano trek in Hallisan National Park in Jeju or the exhilarating hike to Ulsanbawi Rock in Seoraksan National Park. With 23 national parks to choose from and countless other trails throughout the country, there is no shortage of hiking experiences awaiting you.