army travel days to korea

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What to expect for your pcs move to south korea.

Danielle Keech

May 26, 2023

Welcome to the ROK, the Republic of Korea! This OCONUS location sits in a beautiful part of the world, offering access to incredible food, diverse culture, and an adventure far from home.

Although Seoul might be nearly 6,000 miles from the California coastline, you'll find many Americans here (nearly 28,500, according to the DOD). While Camp Humphreys is the largest U.S. military installation in South Korea, it certainly isn’t by itself. 

Read on to learn more about what to expect for your military move to Korea.

Seoul, Korea, skyline. Photo by Felix Fuchs on Unsplash

U.S. Military Installations in South Korea

• Daegu Air Base 
• Gimhae Air Base 
• Gwangju Air Base
• Kunsan Air Force Base
• Osan Air Force Base
• Suwon Air Base 

USAG Yongsan

• Camp Yongsan
• K 16 Air Base

USAG Humphreys

USAG Daegu 

• Camp Carroll
• Camp George
• Camp Henry 
• Camp Walker 

Marine Corps

• Camp Mujuk 
• Fleet Activities Chinhae

National Korea Library. Photo by Josip Ivankovic on Unsplash.

What to Expect When Arriving in Korea

As with any overseas military assignment , you can expect a shift in culture coming from the United States. The country as a whole has a hustle and bustle attitude. The work weeks are Monday through noon on Saturday which might help explain how the country has quickly grown and become the tenth largest economy in the world. South Korea's population is about 51 million, with about 10 million residing in Seoul, 3.4 million in Busan, and 2.4 million in Daegu. It's little surprise to learn that the traffic and crowds compare to the same issues in New York City. Pushing and shoving are not considered impolite, but rather a way of life to keep up with the daily to-do's. 

The shopping, fashion, beauty products, and food here are world-class. You’ll be hard pressed to find a more impressive shopping market outside of South Korea, not to mention the presence of vibrant fashion-forward clothing choices. That said, the culture is conservative and modest. Unlike the U.S., it’s rude to show your bare shoulders or wear pajamas and shower shoes out of the house. Many Koreans still wear traditional garments like the hanbok for national holidays and formal events. 

One of the first things you’ll realize upon arriving is that your U.S. driver’s license is no good here. Instead, you're required to train and test for a USFK license. You will also need to obtain the A-3 Visa and a SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement) stamp within 90 days of arriving in Korea, an important part to regaining some independence and the ability to take advantage of your new duty station. 

South Korea Housing Options 

On-base housing is required in Korea if there is adequate availability. Although the details are subject to change, the standard procedure requires five days of in-processing upon arrival to Korea. After the in-processing, the housing office will offer accompanied servicemembers on-base housing based upon availability. Members have 24 hours to accept or decline housing options. 

If there is no availability on base, the housing office will provide a statement of non-availability (SNA) that allows you to seek housing off the installation you're assigned. From there, you’re required to attend a brief before seeking the assistance of an approved realtor to find a home off-base . The types of housing available varies in size based on location. In more populated areas like the “Ville” right outside Humphreys, you can expect to find apartments, while a more rural duty station may have a single-family home available.

While apartment life might sound off-putting to some, there are a few significant perks to this community lifestyle while in Korea. 

• Utilities are lower than that of a single-family home. 
• Established waste management. 
• On-site maintenance. 
• Close-knit community. 
• Walkable convenience to nearby restaurants and stores.   

Photo by zero take on Unsplash

Helpful Things to Know Before Moving to South Korea

To better prepare for your PCS to South Korea, here are answers to some questions you may have before you go. 

What is the climate in South Korea like?

The winters are long and cold, averaging about 27° Fahrenheit, while the summers are short but hot and humid, averaging around 84° in August. 

Are there many English speakers in Korea?

While many people near Camp Humphreys can speak some English, the further you venture out from post, the fewer the people that speak English. Apps like Google Translate and Papago are your greatest tools. 

How long does it take to feel settled?

It can take at least three months to receive your household goods, which, as we know, is a significant part of feeling settled.

“After our household goods arrived, it started to feel like home. Our household goods, from Monterey, CA, to South Korea, took about three months to arrive. One thing I wish I brought with us is seasonal decor from the bullseye section at Target. I really miss Target but stores like Daiso, Modern House, and Flying Tiger helps fill that void.” -Irene Cole, Marine Corps Spouse

How can I help my kids adjust to living in Korea?

Kids might have an advantage when it comes to adjusting to Korea. Living on or close to base keeps them surrounded by more Americans or Koreans who speak English, and the DODEA school provides a bubble of sorts, creating some normalcy for kids in a foreign country. 

What is the military community like in South Korea?

The military community here proves very welcoming, offering a sense of community and strength. Humphreys United Club can be a great starting point for spouses looking to find their footing, and their PCS Reference Guide, DMZ to the Sea is a great resource for those moving South Korea. 

What are some perks of being stationed in South Korea?

There are many places to see and things to do in South Korea. You'll find historic sites, cool cafes, high fashion, shopping, and hiking. A major perk is having the unique opportunity to travel to nearby countries. Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, and Japan are just a short trip away. 

Can I bring my pets with me to South Korea?

If you're coming on accompanied orders , you are allowed up to two pets. In order to avoid the quarantine process when you land in Korea, you’ll need the original rabies certificate, the original, current, passing FAVN results, and a completed health certificate. Without the proper documentation, your pet will be quarantined at your expense. 

Here are some options for transporting your pet overseas . 

Helpful Resources for Your Move to South Korea

Many of these refer to Camp Humphreys due to it being the largest U.S. military installation in South Korea. For local Child Care Services and more, visit your installation's specific MWR page listed below. 

• Family Advocacy Program  
• Camp Humphreys EFMP
• Camp Humphreys School Liaison Officer
• Korean Language Courses
• Ration Control Office  
• Humphreys MWR
• Yongsan MWR
• Casey MWR 

Gyeongbokgung Palace, Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea.   Photo by David Ford on Unsplash

Things to Do in South Korea 

Palace district.

Known as the pride of Korea, the Palace District in Seoul houses five palaces of historical significance and breathtaking architecture. Tea shops and art galleries are also within the district. 

National Museum of Korea

More than 12,000 historical artifacts and artwork are on permanent display at the National Museum of Korea. Plus, special exhibits that pop up for a limited time and the children’s museum make this an excellent repeat outing. 

Sea Life Busan Aquarium

Located near the beloved Haeundae Beach in Busan, this aquarium is a must-do during your time in Korea. Not only does it boast 250 species of marine life, but it also houses an 80-meter underwater tunnel and touch pools for a fully immersive experience. 

Gwangalli Beach

Just west of Haeundae Beach in Busan is Gwangalli Beach, a 1.4 kilometer stretch of gorgeous fine sand lined with incredible restaurants and shopping. 

World Flower Botanical Garden

Featuring over 3,000 species of plants and flowers, the World Flower Botanical Garden is Korea’s largest greenhouse garden. You’ll also find the LIAF (Life is a Flower) Garden Center, established to encourage a gardening culture in Korea.   

Naughty Child Kids Cafe

South Korea has many popular kid’s cafes like the Naughty Child to give kids a creative outlet when the weather forces everyone in doors.

Animal Cafes

If you're looking for a lovable play session with some animals, you’ll find all kinds of animal cafes featuring cats, dogs, meerkats, raccoons, sheep, and more. 

If you've been stationed in South Korea, we'd love to hear from you. What tips would give someone about to move there, and what was your favorite thing about it?

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North Korea Stresses Alignment with Russia Against US and Says Putin Could Visit at an Early Date

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea said Sunday that Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his willingness to visit the North at an unspecified “early date” as the countries continue to align in the face of their separate, intensifying confrontations with the United States.

The North Korean Foreign Ministry highlighted Putin’s intent for a visit following North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui’s meetings with Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow last week. The ministry said in a statement published by state media that the two countries agreed to further strategic and tactical cooperation with Russia to establish a “new multi-polarized international order,” a reference to their efforts to build a united front against Washington.

Putin had already confirmed his willingness to visit the capital, Pyongyang, at a convenient time during his meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Russia’s Far East in September. One of the few world leaders openly supporting Putin's war on Ukraine, Kim has been actively boosting the visibility of his ties with Russia in an attempt to break out of diplomatic isolation and strengthen his footing, as he navigates a deepening nuclear standoff with Washington, Seoul and Tokyo.

In a separate statement on Sunday, the North’s Foreign Ministry condemned the U.N. Security Council for calling an emergency meeting over the country’s latest ballistic test , which state media described as a new intermediate-range solid-fuel missile tipped with a hypersonic warhead. The ministry said the test-firing on Jan. 14 was among the country’s regular activities to improve its defense capabilities and that it didn’t pose a threat to its neighbors.

South Korea on Thursday urged the Security Council “to break the silence” over North Korea’s escalating missile tests and threats. Russia and China, both permanent members of the council, have blocked U.S.-led efforts to increase sanctions on North Korea over its recent weapons tests, underscoring a divide deepened over Russia’s war on Ukraine .

The alignment between Pyongyang and Moscow has raised international concerns about alleged arms cooperation, in which the North provides Russia with munitions to help prolong its fighting in Ukraine, possibly in exchange for badly needed economic aid and military assistance to help upgrade Kim’s forces. Both Pyongyang and Russia have denied accusations by Washington and Seoul about North Korean arms transfers to Russia.

North Korea’s Foreign Ministry, in comments published by state media, said Choe and the Russian officials in their meetings expressed a “strong will to further strengthen strategic and tactical cooperation in defending the core interests of the two countries and establishing a new multi-polarized international order.”

Russia expressed “deep thanks” to North Korea for its “full support” over its war on Ukraine, the North Korean ministry said. It said Choe and the Russian officials expressed “serious concern” over the United States’ expanding military cooperation with its Asian allies that they blamed for worsening tensions in the region and threatening North Korea’s sovereignty and security interests.

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula are at their highest point in years, after Kim in recent months used Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a distraction to ramp up his weapons tests and military demonstrations. The United States, South Korea and Japan have responded by strengthening their combined military exercises, which Kim portrays as invasion rehearsals, and sharpening their deterrence plans built around nuclear-capable U.S. assets.

In the latest tit-for-tat, North Korea on Friday said it conducted a test of a purported nuclear-capable underwater attack drone in response to a combined naval exercise by the United States, South Korea and Japan last week, as it continued to blame its rivals for tensions in the region.

Choe’s visit to Moscow came as Kim continues to use domestic political events to issue provocative threats of nuclear conflict.

At Pyongyang’s rubber-stamp parliament last week, Kim declared that North Korea is abandoning its long-standing goal of a peaceful unification with war-divided rival South Korea and ordered the rewriting of the North’s constitution to cement the South as its most hostile foreign adversary. He accused South Korea of acting as “top-class stooges” of the Americans and repeated a threat that he would use his nukes to annihilate the South if provoked.

Analysts say North Korea could be aiming to diminish South Korea’s voice in the regional nuclear standoff and eventually force direct dealings with Washington as it looks to cement its status as a nuclear weapons state.

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South Korea, Japan, US hold naval drills amid N.Korea threats

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South Korea on Sunday protested Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's offering to Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine with "deep disappointment" and urged Japanese leaders to show repentance for the country's wartime past.

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Largest joint airpower drills over Korean Peninsula include 25 aircraft types 

A South Korean air force F-15K Slam Eagle arrives for the Korea Flying Training exercise at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, April 12, 2024. (Samuel Earick/U.S. Air Force)

CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea — The United States and South Korea are carrying out their largest, annual aerial training to “deter, defend and defeat” enemies in and around the Korean Peninsula, according to an Air Force news release.

The 7th Air Force at Kunsan Air Base, about 115 miles south of Seoul, is coordinating the 15-day exercise, dubbed Korea Flying Training, which kicked off Friday.

The release described the training as “defensive in nature” and did not mention North Korea, which regularly condemns joint military drills between the United States and the South.

President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol agreed to “expand the scope and scale of combined military exercises” in and around the Korean Peninsula due to the North’s nuclear and missile threats, according to a joint statement on May 21, 2022.

Korea Flying Training began less than two weeks after North Korea launched an intermediate-range ballistic missile. The solid-fueled weapon, launched April 2 from the Pyongyang area, flew roughly 370 miles before splashing down in the Sea of Japan, or East Sea, according to the South’s Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The missile was equipped with a hypersonic glide vehicle capable of traveling more than 3,800 mph, the communist regime’s Korean Central News Agency reported the next day.

Aircraft from the South Korean air force arrive for the Korea Flying Training exercise at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, April 12, 2024. (Samuel Earick/U.S. Air Force)

Korea Flying Training is focusing on integrating fifth-generation aircraft, including the F-35 Lightning II, with other U.S. and South Korean jets during the drill, the Air Force release said. Other scenarios include combat search and rescue, precision strikes, airborne operations and defending against aerial and ground-based threats.

About 25 types of aircraft from both air forces, the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Special Operations Command are scheduled to participate in the exercise, the release said. These include the F-35B, F-16 Fighting Falcon, A-10 Thunderbolt II, MQ-9 Reaper and C-130J Super Hercules.

F-35As, F-15K Slam Eagles, C-130 Hercules and KC-330 Cygnus from South Korea are also participating, according to the release.

The 7th Air Force did not immediately respond to an email Tuesday requesting the number of aircraft used and whether munitions will be dropped while training.

Joint military training by the two allies is carried out year-round on land, air and sea in and around the peninsula.

More than 130 U.S., South Korean and Australian aircraft conducted a five-day airpower demonstration dubbed Vigilant Defense on Oct. 23, the South’s military said at the time.

Eleven months earlier, roughly 240 U.S. and South Korean aircraft flew about 1,600 sorties during another airpower exercise called Vigilant Storm.

Col. Charles Cameron, 7th Air Force’s director of operations and plans, described Korea Flying Training as “the most realistic opportunity for our forces.”

“KFT is a critical training event due to the sheer size of the exercise, the amount of aircraft and people involved from across the joint and allied forces, and the complexity of the training,” he said in the release.

previous coverage

• North Korea will field hypersonic weapon someday, South’s defense chief warns
• US, allies demonstrate near Korean Peninsula as Biden meets with Japanese leader
• South Korea’s second military spy satellite is in orbit and communicating, Seoul says

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US Navy secretary says he was 'floored' by a Pacific ally's shipbuilding abilities amid American warship production woes

• The US Navy secretary, Carlos Del Toro, said he was "floored" at South Korea's shipbuilding abilities.
• A recent review found that the US Navy's top shipbuilding programs were heavily delayed by years.
• Del Toro and other Navy officials addressed US shipbuilding problems in a budget hearing this week.

Amid concerns about American shipbuilding, the US Navy's top civilian official said this week that he was "floored" by a Pacific ally's capabilities in this space.

The Navy secretary's comments came on the heels of an internal review that discovered that most of the Navy's top programs, including high-priority submarines, a first-in-class guided-missile frigate, and the third Ford-class aircraft carrier, were severely delayed by years , fueling worries from US officials about the ability to maintain the country's pace against great power rivals.

During his keynote speech at the Navy League's Sea Air Space conference this week, the secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Toro, said his recent trip to South Korea had left him impressed by their shipbuilding.

"When my team and I went to South Korea, we were floored at the level of digitization and real-time monitoring of shipbuilding progress, with readily available information down to individual pieces of stock materials," Del Toro said.

"Their top executives could tell us to the day when ships would be delivered," he said. That's a stark difference from the US, which is facing problems with its shipbuilding capacity, labor availability, and resources.

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Back in January, Del Toro ordered a 45-day review to assess the progress of the Navy's top shipbuilding programs, which found that most were delayed. After the review's findings were made public, Del Toro ordered a follow-up review into solutions for the delays.

Del Toro paid a visit to South Korea's yards in February, during which he encouraged companies to invest in commercial and naval shipbuilding facilities in the US. He said there were "numerous former shipyard sites around the country which are largely intact and dormant" that were "ripe for redevelopment."

The Navy said at the time that South Korean shipbuilding was "an asset" to the US, especially "as China continues to aggressively pursue worldwide shipbuilding dominance."

That month, Maj. Jeffrey L. Seavy, a retired US Marine Corps officer, wrote for the US Naval Institute that China had roughly 47% of the global market on shipbuilding, the most of any country, with South Korea coming in second at about 29% and Japan in third at about 17%. He said the US had "a relative insignificant capacity at 0.13%," referencing numbers from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development .

During his recent Sea Air Space speech, Del Toro further praised South Korea and commended Japan, saying both Pacific allies could build high-quality ships on time, on budget, and often at a fraction of the cost.

"It's an ethos, a commitment to constant improvement that is the foundation of their reputation for consistently delivering on time and on budget, even during COVID," he said.

Though some delays have stemmed from the challenge of building first-in-class vessels, the Navy has attributed much of the delays that are bogging down its important shipbuilding programs to the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that residual supply-chain and labor issues have pushed timelines back and ballooned costs.

The Navy is trying to find solutions, though. Hon. Nick Guertin, the Navy's acquisition executive, said the Navy review "identified major initiatives to drive improvement that we plan to pursue."

He told reporters earlier this month: "Our Navy ships exist to strengthen American dominance and deliver war-fighting capability by providing the tools our war-fighters need to operate the world's strongest navy. In order to provide these key war-fighting tools, shipbuilding challenges must be addressed."

Watch: The shipwreck at the center of a battle between China and the Philippines

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What We Know About Israel’s Strike in Iran

Israel struck Iran early Friday, according to officials from both countries, in what appeared to be its first military response to the Iranian attack on Israel last weekend.

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By Liam Stack

Reporting from Jerusalem

Israel struck Iran early on Friday, according to officials from both countries, in what appeared to be its first military response to the Iranian attack on Israel last weekend.

The strike was the latest in a cycle of retaliation between the two foes that has alarmed world leaders, who fear that back-and-forth attacks could erupt into a broader war.

Here is a look at what we know about the strike and its implications.

What did Israel strike?

Iranian officials said on Friday that an Israeli strike hit a military air base near Isfahan, a city in central Iran. The scale and method of the attack were unclear.

Iranian officials said a separate Israeli attack was thwarted in Tabriz, a region roughly 500 miles north of Isfahan. Iranian news agencies said explosions were heard near both cities.

The state media in Syria, a major Iranian ally that borders Israel, said also that Israeli missiles had hit air-defense positions in southern Syria on Friday.

The Israeli military declined to comment.

Why did Israel strike?

Israel attacked Iran in retaliation for a large Iranian attack on Israeli territory last weekend that included more than 300 missiles and drones.

That attack frightened Israelis but caused little damage and few injuries because nearly all of Iran’s weapons were intercepted by Israel and its allies, including the United States, Britain and Jordan.

That Iranian attack was launched in response to an Israeli strike on an Iranian diplomatic compound in Syria on April 1, which killed seven Iranian officials. Israeli officials did not warn the United States of the Damascus strike and some have since privately conceded that it was a serious miscalculation .

Will Iran retaliate?

It was not clear whether or not Iran would retaliate, but initial reaction in Israel and Iran, where some officials and state-backed media sought to downplay the strike’s severity, suggested that its response may be muted.

Iranian state TV broadcast footage of Isfahan looking peaceful, and reported that military and nuclear facilities there were undamaged. One newsreader told viewers the strike was “not a big deal.”

Officials in Israel said the strike had been designed to avoid escalating tensions.

Why is Isfahan important?

Isfahan is one of Iran’s most famous and historic cities , known for its beautiful turquoise and purple tiled mosques, picturesque arched bridges and Grand Bazaar.

The area is also home to four small nuclear research facilities and is a center of Iranian weapons production. Many of the country’s Shahab medium-range missiles — which can reach Israel and beyond — are assembled there.

The province of Isfahan also contains the Natanz uranium enrichment site , as well as an air base that is home to a fleet of American-made F-14 Tomcats. They were purchased by the U.S.-backed Iranian government before the 1979 Islamic revolution, according to The Associated Press .

Why are world leaders so worried about a war between Iran and Israel?

For the past week, President Biden and other world leaders have urged Israel not to respond to last weekend’s Iranian missile attack. They have said they fear that an Israeli response could escalate into an all-out war.

World leaders advised Israel that it should view the interception of nearly all of the Iranian missiles and drones as a strategic victory. That is especially so, they have said, because it was achieved by an international coalition including Arab countries, which have historically not been inclined to come to Israel’s defense.

Israel has also been fighting allies of Iran on two other fronts — Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon — for the last six months. Israel’s conduct of the war in Gaza, where more than 33,000 people have been killed and famine has begun to set in, has left it increasingly isolated diplomatically.

Liam Stack is a Times reporter covering the Israel-Hamas war from Jerusalem. More about Liam Stack