South Korea in December

Cold and dry; Christmas markets and lights in Seoul; ski season opens.

December is rated good. These months rate higher:

• AprilGreatCherry blossom in Seoul and Gyeongju early in the month; dust days still happen.
• MayGreatWarm and dry; Buddha's Birthday lanterns and Children's Day crowds.
• OctoberGreatClear skies, autumn colour in the mountains, festivals everywhere; Chuseok falls here some years.

• Seoul and north-west · Seoul, Incheon, Suwon, the DMZcool

  Continental: dry winters down to −15 °C (5 °F) on cold snaps, hot humid summers. Fine dust (yellow dust and pollution) peaks Mar–Apr; the monsoon runs late Jun – Jul.Continental: dry winters down to 5 °F (−15 °C) on cold snaps, hot humid summers. Fine dust (yellow dust and pollution) peaks Mar–Apr; the monsoon runs late Jun – Jul.

• Busan and south-east coast · Busan, Gyeongju, Tongyeong, Ulsancool

  Milder winters than Seoul, rarely below freezing; typhoons most likely Aug–Sep and ferries to Japan stop when they pass.

• Jeju · Jeju City, Seogwipo, Hallasancool

  Windy and wet; the island takes the first hit of most typhoons. Hallasan summit gets snow in winter; flights stop in strong crosswinds.

• Gangwon mountains and east coast · Sokcho, Seoraksan, Gangneung, Pyeongchangcool

  Coldest region: ski season Dec–Feb, peak autumn colour mid-October in Seoraksan; summer beaches crowded in late Jul – Aug.

• Gangwon: East coast (Sokcho, Gangneung, Yangyang) · East Sea shorelinecool

  Milder than the interior; sea fog and rain in July–August, typhoon tail-ends in late summer.

• Gangwon: Inland mountains (Pyeongchang, Taebaek, Inje) · Taebaek rangecold

  Coldest in Korea in winter; ski resorts usually run late November to March. Autumn colour peaks in October.

• Gyeonggi: Gyeonggi lowlands (Suwon, Incheon, Gimpo) · west and south of Seoulcold

  Monsoon rain late June to July; August is hot and humid; January nights drop well below freezing.

• Gyeonggi: Eastern hills (Gapyeong, Yangpyeong, Pocheon) · Gyeongchun and Jungang line corridorscold

  A few degrees cooler than the lowlands; autumn colour peaks in late October and early November.

• Jeju: Jeju City / north coast · island northcool

  Milder than the mainland; heaviest rain June–September, typhoons Aug–Sep.

• Jeju: Seogwipo / south coast · island southcool

  Wetter and slightly warmer than the north; Hallasan summit is much colder and often in cloud.

• North Chungcheong: Inland basin (Cheongju, Chungju, Jecheon) · Province-wide, landlockedcold

  Continent-style swings: July–August humid and 30 °C (86 °F)+, January often below -5 °C (23 °F). Rainy season (jangma) late June to mid-July; autumn leaves peak late October to early November.Continent-style swings: July–August humid and 86 °F (30 °C)+, January often below 23 °F (-5 °C). Rainy season (jangma) late June to mid-July; autumn leaves peak late October to early November.

• North Gyeongsang: Inland basin (Gyeongju, Andong, Daegu) · Interior valleys ringed by the Sobaek and Taebaek rangescold

  Daegu and the basins run several degrees hotter than the coast in July–August; monsoon rain lands late June to July, and typhoons can reach the east coast in August–September.

• North Gyeongsang: East coast (Pohang) · Seaward side of the Taebaek rangecold

  Milder winters and cooler summers than the interior; sea fog and wind are the trade-off.

• North Jeolla: Jeonju and the plains · Inland basin, west of the mountainscold

  Hot, humid July–August; monsoon rain late June to July; cold, dry winters. Autumn is the clearest and busiest.

• North Jeolla: Mountains (Muju, Deogyusan) · East of the provincecold

  Cooler than the plains; snow and skiing December to early March; foliage peaks in October.

• South Chungcheong: Inland (Cheonan, Daejeon, Gongju, Buyeo) · Province interiorcold

  Rainy season (jangma) late June to mid-July; August is humid and 30 °C (86 °F)+; January nights drop well below freezing.Rainy season (jangma) late June to mid-July; August is humid and 86 °F (30 °C)+; January nights drop well below freezing.

• South Chungcheong: West coast (Seosan, Dangjin, Hongseong) · Yellow Sea shorecold

  Coastal fog and wind in spring; tidal flats are best at low tide — check the tide table before you go.

• South Gyeongsang: South coast (Busan, Tongyeong, Geoje) · coast and islandscool

  Rainy season (jangma) late June to mid-July; typhoons can hit Aug-Sep and stop ferries for a day.

• South Gyeongsang: Inland (Jinju, Miryang, Hapcheon) · Nakdong basin and mountainscool

  Hotter and colder than the coast; Haeinsa sits high and is cooler in summer.

• South Jeolla: Gwangju and the interior · Honam plaincool

  Warmest province on the peninsula; July–August average highs near 30 °C (86 °F) with 290–330 mm of rain each month. Spring and October are the dry, comfortable windows.Warmest province on the peninsula; July–August average highs near 86 °F (30 °C) with 290–330 mm of rain each month. Spring and October are the dry, comfortable windows.

• South Jeolla: Yeosu and the south coast · Yellow Sea and Jeju Straitcool

  Sea moderates the heat; fog and wind can delay ferries in spring and autumn.

• Seoul4 °C (39 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 8 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 8 rain days
• Andong6 °C (43 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 5 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 5 rain days
• Ansan5 °C (41 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 6 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 21 °F (-6 °C), 6 rain days
• Anseong5 °C (41 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 6 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 6 rain days
• Anyang4 °C (39 °F) / -3.1 °C (26 °F), 7 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 26 °F (-3.1 °C), 7 rain days
• Asan5 °C (41 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 7 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 7 rain days
• Baengnyeong Island3.8 °C (39 °F) / -1.1 °C (30 °F), 22 rain days39 °F (3.8 °C) / 30 °F (-1.1 °C), 22 rain days
• Boryeong7 °C (45 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 9 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 9 rain days
• Buan-2 °C (28 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 42 rain days28 °F (-2 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 42 rain days
• Bucheon6 °C (43 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 5 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 5 rain days
• Bundang5 °C (41 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 6 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 6 rain days
• Buyeo3 °C (37 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 4 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 21 °F (-6 °C), 4 rain days
• Changwon9 °C (48 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 5 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 5 rain days
• Cheonan5.2 °C (41 °F) / -5.1 °C (23 °F), 5 rain days41 °F (5.2 °C) / 23 °F (-5.1 °C), 5 rain days
• Cheongju5 °C (41 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 8 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 8 rain days
• Cheorwon3 °C (37 °F) / -7 °C (19 °F), 6 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 19 °F (-7 °C), 6 rain days
• Chujado10 °C (50 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 10 rain days50 °F (10 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 10 rain days
• Chuncheon4 °C (39 °F) / -7 °C (19 °F), 7 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 19 °F (-7 °C), 7 rain days
• Daebudo4 °C (39 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 7 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 7 rain days
• Daegu8 °C (46 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 4 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 4 rain days
• Daejeon6 °C (43 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 8 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 8 rain days
• Damyang8 °C (46 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 7 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 7 rain days
• Dangjin4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 8 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 8 rain days
• Danyang5 °C (41 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 5 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 21 °F (-6 °C), 5 rain days
• Deokjeok Island6 °C (43 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 6 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 6 rain days
• Deokso4 °C (39 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 5 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 5 rain days
• Dongducheon4 °C (39 °F) / -7 °C (19 °F), 7 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 19 °F (-7 °C), 7 rain days
• Donghae7 °C (45 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 4 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 4 rain days
• Ganghwa Island6 °C (43 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 5 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 5 rain days
• Gangneung6 °C (43 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 5 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 5 rain days
• Gapado11 °C (52 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 9 rain days52 °F (11 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 9 rain days
• Gapyeong5 °C (41 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 7 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 7 rain days
• Geoje9.5 °C (49 °F) / 0.4 °C (33 °F), 4 rain days49 °F (9.5 °C) / 33 °F (0.4 °C), 4 rain days
• Geomundo8 °C (46 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 8 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 8 rain days
• Gimcheon4 °C (39 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 5 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 5 rain days
• Gimhae9 °C (48 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 6 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 6 rain days
• Gimje3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 7 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 7 rain days
• Gimpo3 °C (37 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 8 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 21 °F (-6 °C), 8 rain days
• Goheung9 °C (48 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 5 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 5 rain days
• Gongju7 °C (45 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 7 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 7 rain days
• Goryeong7 °C (45 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 4 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 4 rain days
• Goseong8 °C (46 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 4 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 4 rain days
• Goyang4 °C (39 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 6 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 21 °F (-6 °C), 6 rain days
• Guinsa5 °C (41 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 6 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 6 rain days
• Gumi7 °C (45 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 5 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 5 rain days
• Gunpo5 °C (41 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 6 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 6 rain days
• Gunsan6 °C (43 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 8 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 8 rain days
• Gunwi County6 °C (43 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 6 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 6 rain days
• Gwacheon6 °C (43 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 7 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 7 rain days
• Gwanggyo4 °C (39 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 7 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 7 rain days
• Gwangju, Gyeonggi4 °C (39 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 6 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 21 °F (-6 °C), 6 rain days
• Gwangju8 °C (46 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 8 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 8 rain days
• Gwangmyeong4 °C (39 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 6 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 6 rain days
• Gwangyang7 °C (45 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 5 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 5 rain days
• Gyeongju8 °C (46 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 5 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 5 rain days
• Gyeongsan4 °C (39 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 5 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 5 rain days
• Haenam9 °C (48 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 8 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 8 rain days
• Hampyeong8 °C (46 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 8 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 8 rain days
• Hapcheon9 °C (48 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 5 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 5 rain days
• Hongdo7 °C (45 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 5 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 5 rain days
• Hongseong5 °C (41 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 9 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 9 rain days
• Hwaseong5 °C (41 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 6 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 6 rain days
• Icheon4.4 °C (40 °F) / -6.3 °C (21 °F), 6 rain days40 °F (4.4 °C) / 21 °F (-6.3 °C), 6 rain days
• Iksan6 °C (43 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 0 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 0 rain days
• Inje3.5 °C (38 °F) / -6.5 °C (20 °F), 5 rain days38 °F (3.5 °C) / 20 °F (-6.5 °C), 5 rain days
• Jangheung8.8 °C (48 °F) / -2.4 °C (28 °F), 8 rain days48 °F (8.8 °C) / 28 °F (-2.4 °C), 8 rain days
• Jebudo5 °C (41 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 7 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 7 rain days
• Jecheon4 °C (39 °F) / -8 °C (18 °F), 6 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 18 °F (-8 °C), 6 rain days
• Jeongdongjin4 °C (39 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 7 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 7 rain days
• Jeongeup7 °C (45 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 6 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 6 rain days
• Jeongseon3 °C (37 °F) / -8 °C (18 °F), 6 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 18 °F (-8 °C), 6 rain days
• Jeonju7 °C (45 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 7 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 7 rain days
• Jindo8 °C (46 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 9 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 9 rain days
• Jinju9 °C (48 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 4 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 4 rain days
• Jumunjin7 °C (45 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 6 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 6 rain days
• Miryang7 °C (45 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 5 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 5 rain days
• Mokpo8 °C (46 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 10 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 10 rain days
• Muan7.3 °C (45 °F) / -1.1 °C (30 °F), 8 rain days45 °F (7.3 °C) / 30 °F (-1.1 °C), 8 rain days
• Muju3 °C (37 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 8 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 8 rain days
• Mungyeong5.4 °C (42 °F) / -4.7 °C (24 °F), 5 rain days42 °F (5.4 °C) / 24 °F (-4.7 °C), 5 rain days
• Naju-2 °C (28 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 20 rain days28 °F (-2 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 20 rain days
• Namhae11 °C (52 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 7 rain days52 °F (11 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 7 rain days
• Namwon-4.7 °C (24 °F) / 7.1 °C (45 °F), 30 rain days24 °F (-4.7 °C) / 45 °F (7.1 °C), 30 rain days
• Namyangju5 °C (41 °F) / -7 °C (19 °F), 6 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 19 °F (-7 °C), 6 rain days
• Nonsan5 °C (41 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 7 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 7 rain days
• Paju3 °C (37 °F) / -8 °C (18 °F), 6 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 18 °F (-8 °C), 6 rain days
• Pangyo4 °C (39 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 4 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 4 rain days
• Pocheon4 °C (39 °F) / -8 °C (18 °F), 6 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 18 °F (-8 °C), 6 rain days
• Pohang9 °C (48 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 4 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 4 rain days
• Pyeongchang2 °C (36 °F) / -8 °C (18 °F), 5 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 18 °F (-8 °C), 5 rain days
• Pyeongtaek5 °C (41 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 8 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 8 rain days
• Sacheon7 °C (45 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 6 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 6 rain days
• Samcheok3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 2 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 2 rain days
• Sangju6 °C (43 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 4 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 4 rain days
• Sejong City6 °C (43 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 7 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 21 °F (-6 °C), 7 rain days
• Seogwipo12 °C (54 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 9 rain days54 °F (12 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 9 rain days
• Seongju County7 °C (45 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 5 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 5 rain days
• Seongnam6 °C (43 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 7 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 7 rain days
• Seosan5.7 °C (42 °F) / -3.7 °C (25 °F), 8 rain days42 °F (5.7 °C) / 25 °F (-3.7 °C), 8 rain days
• Siheung5 °C (41 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 6 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 6 rain days
• Sokcho6 °C (43 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 5 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 5 rain days
• Somaemuldo9 °C (48 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 4 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 4 rain days
• Songdo5 °C (41 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 6 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 6 rain days
• Suanbo5 °C (41 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 5 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 5 rain days
• Suwon5 °C (41 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 8 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 8 rain days
• Taebaek3 °C (37 °F) / -7 °C (19 °F), 6 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 19 °F (-7 °C), 6 rain days
• Tongyeong10 °C (50 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 5 rain days50 °F (10 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 5 rain days
• Udo Island9 °C (48 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 8 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 8 rain days
• Uijeongbu-si5 °C (41 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 6 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 6 rain days
• Uijeongbu4 °C (39 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 4 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 4 rain days
• Uiryeong8 °C (46 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 5 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 5 rain days
• Uiwang2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 2 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 2 rain days
• Ulsan10 °C (50 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 4 rain days50 °F (10 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 4 rain days
• Wonju4 °C (39 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 0 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 21 °F (-6 °C), 0 rain days
• Yanggu4 °C (39 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 7 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 21 °F (-6 °C), 7 rain days
• Yangju4 °C (39 °F) / -8 °C (18 °F), 6 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 18 °F (-8 °C), 6 rain days
• Yangsan9 °C (48 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 4 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 4 rain days
• Yangyang7 °C (45 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 4 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 4 rain days
• Yecheon7 °C (45 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 6 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 6 rain days
• Yeoju3 °C (37 °F) / -7 °C (19 °F), 17 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 19 °F (-7 °C), 17 rain days
• Yeoncheon3 °C (37 °F) / -8 °C (18 °F), 5 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 18 °F (-8 °C), 5 rain days
• Yeongcheon5 °C (41 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 5 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 5 rain days
• Yeongjong Island4 °C (39 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 7 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 7 rain days
• Yeongju4 °C (39 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 6 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 6 rain days
• Yeongwol4 °C (39 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 5 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 5 rain days
• Yeonpyeong Island6 °C (43 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 6 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 6 rain days
• Yeosu9.8 °C (50 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 6 rain days50 °F (9.8 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 6 rain days
• Yesan6 °C (43 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 5 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 5 rain days
• Yokjido9 °C (48 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 7 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 7 rain days
• Yongin4 °C (39 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 6 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 21 °F (-6 °C), 6 rain days
• Yuseong-gu7 °C (45 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 7 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 7 rain days
• Busan11 °C (52 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 5 rain days52 °F (11 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 5 rain days
• Jeju City10 °C (50 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 10 rain days50 °F (10 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 10 rain days
• Incheon3 °C (37 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 6 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 6 rain days

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• Christmas Day

  25 Dec

  Public holiday; restaurants and Myeongdong crowded, shops open.

• Christmas and year-end lights

  December · Seoul

  Evening crowds on the shopping streets.

• New Year bell ringing

  31 December, midnight · Seoul

  Streets around Jongno close; the subway runs late that night (check).

Crowds · South Korea

Medium

Prices · South Korea

Medium

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in South Korea, side by side.

• Layers: a fleece or light jacket

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Rated best or good this month

• Cheorwon

  Best months: Apr–May, Sep–Oct; Dec–Feb for cranes and ice trekking

• Muju

  Best months: May, Oct (hiking); Dec–Feb (skiing)

• Pyeongchang

  Best months: Dec–Feb for snow and skiing; May–Jun and Sep–Oct for hiking and the ranches