1. Documents to prepare:

• 3 x passport photos (colour)
• 1 x verification/certified letter for driver’s licence
• Original Passport
• Original Alien Registration Card
• Original South African licence
• 12,000KRW (eye test and licence fee)

2. Embassy visit:

• The South African embassy is in Yongsan, Seoul; and in ten minutes, assisted me with a certified copy of my South African Driver’s licence, officially stamped and signed.
• Also, the fully bilingual receptionist was extremely helpful in directing me to helplines and advising bus routes.

3. Seoul Global Center

• This is a fantastic center for foreign visitors in general. I received professional service from everyone; including the helpline, staff and administrative assistants.
• It’s very easy to find, on Line 1 (blue) in front of the Jonggak subway station, Exit 6.  If you’re taking a taxi, ask for “Jonggak yok” and look for Exit 6 as a reference point.  Go up to the 5th floor to the licence desk (first desk on the right).
• Present documents, original licence and photos; sign forms and then proceed to the eye test via the subway. (The assistant gives you detailed directions, with a map).
• Return with completed eye test (5,000KRW) and surrender South African licence.  Pay 6,000KRW and receive Korean licence.
• NOTE: I was concerned that my address was not in Seoul or Gyeonggi-do, but this was not an issue.

Tips:

• Try and reach the Seoul Global Center early because lunch is from 11.30a.m. to 13.00pm.  Having arrived in Seoul by 9.30am, I was lucky enough to visit the embassy, take a taxi to the center, fill out all the paperwork, take subway (2 stops) to and from eye test clinic and make it back by 11.27am to be issued my Korean licence.  Working it!
• Passport photos can be taken at any photography studio. It cost me 7,000KRW for 4 and because I took my own photo on my USB, they gave me a discount.
• If you are lucky enough to have someone who can help you out (e.g. your director, a trustworthy friend etc), the embassy also provides service to a proxy in possession of your licence, passport, ARC and a signed letter of permission from you to collect the copy on your behalf. You do have to visit the Seoul Global Center in person, however, to take the eye test.
• I briskly walked (about 20 minutes) from Oksu station (orange line 3) to the South African embassy.  Be warned, the (1.5km) walk consists of steep wooden steps up to the very top of the hill and then downhill Dokseodang-ro to the embassy.  Great exercise but, do factor in the time and effort, or take a taxi.
• NOTE: If you are not a South African Citizen, I advise phoning the Seoul Global Center for information to check details.  South Africans do not have to take any written test, but this may be different for other nationalities. 

Good to know:

• You have up to 3 years to reclaim your South African licence from the Global Center before it is destroyed. You need your airticket, Korean licence and ARC.
• The eye test clinic is about 200m from the Jongno5 subway exit 1. It’s a tiny door that leads up to the 2nd floor so keep your eyes open.  Be prepared for little to no English levels here.

Good luck! It’s well worth a day trip for out-of-towners!

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Location and contact details:

South African Embassy

• Mon to Thurs, 8:00 to 16:45; Fri, 8:00 to 15:30; (Lunch: 12:45 ~ 13:30).
• 104 Dokseodang-ro (Hannam-dong), Yongsan-gu, Seoul 140-884
• http://www.southafrica-embassy.or.kr/eng/embassy/contact.php
• Nearest subway stations are Oksu (Line 3 orange) and Hannam (Jungang Line).  It is about a 20 min walk (or 5 min taxi) from Hangangjin Station (Line 6 brown).

Seoul Global Center

• 5th Floor of Seoul Global Center Building (“Driver’s licence” desk), Jong-ro 38-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (it’s directly outside Exit 6 of Jonggak (Line 1), just walk straight about 100m and you’ll see the logo and “Seoul Global Centre”)
• http://english.seoul.go.kr/lh/support/scof1.php
• For information call: +82-2-2075-4130~1 (Seoul Global Center 5th floor) or 1330 (Korea’s tourist information call center) or 1588-5644 (BBB Korea)