ROFLMAO ,, you got some chutzpah ,,
Its only 5 hour ride. Suggest you read from page 1.
Rest I leave it to you ,, to discover ,, the very friendly Korea.
Poor Wendy ,,

PS: Red came quietly, to Korea on 16th and got on the ferry on 20th. Wish him good luck.

SeoulJoe

i plan to be arriving in Seoul around june 10th and leaving from Sokcho to Zarubino around june 20th or june 24th if the ferry is still only running on tuesdays, if you are around it would be nice to meet up and get some pointers of places to ride to and see while i'm in the country

i'm in contact with Wendy to make arrangements for me (insurance/ clearance/ferry/etc)

Paul

__________________
www.rtwpaul.com

Paul ,,
You got it ,,
Call me once all squared away, with the bike ,, you have my mobile,, Wendy certainly does.
Your routes are awesome.
Joe

I have received following EM from Wendy just now ,, I am attaching the English translation, right below. It seems ,, you guys ,, all of you have to buy Wendy a tall ,,, since she is organising your docs ,, insurance,, booking on the ferry ,, all for 50 bucks.
Below is for the Incheon Airport ONLY!

Conversely ,, if you are coming by ferry from Russia, Japan or China ,, none of this applies. You just show up.
If your bike arrives to a sea port, by ro-ro or container ,, call Wendy as the bike needs to be customs processed and unpacked.

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 잘지내시죠?
Date: Sat, 10 May 2014 12:12:05 +0900
From: wendy choi <wendychoi2(at)gmail.com>
To: Yun-Soo Park


안녕하세요
잘지내시죠?
한국에서도 꾸준이 바이크 타시나요?
5월부터는 역시 바이크들이 문의가 들어오네요
혹시나하는 마음에 정보 공유하고자 알려드립니다.
인천공항의경우

How are you? All is well?
Are you actively riding bikes, in Korea?
From May ,, I am getting lots of inquiries, from overseas bikers. I am sharing following,, just in case.
In case of In Cheon Airport

1.도착(여객,바이크)
1) Arrival (Passenger and Bike)

2.여객터미널 휴대품지원과에서 통관진행
비용
(500cc미만 - 120,000원, 500cc이상-1000cc:160,000원, 1000cc초과-240,000원)
상기비용은 관우회라는 곳에서 담보보증및 통관진행절차 포함한 비용이라고 합니다.
2) Passenger terminal PERSONAL EFFECTS department will process your bike. Customs clearance fees schedule.
Under 500CC - KRW 120,000 (USD 115)
Over 500CC - 1,000CC KRW 160,000 (USD 155)
Over 1000CC KRW 240,000 (USD 220)
Above charges are customs agency and security deposit.

3. 바이크출고(창고료 지급후)
** 올해부터는 보증금걸지 않고 보증보험으로 진행해야 한다고 합니다 **
운전보험료:약68,000원(4일기준)
제가 여객터미널에 운전보험들고, 서류 미리 보내놓고 있는데요
미리 진행해놓아도, 실제로는 바이커가가서 오리지날서류 다시보여주고
일시수출입신고필증 받아서 카고터미널로 이동 출고 합니다.
(3) Getting the bike ,, first ,, Bike insurance is appx KRW 68,000 (USD 60) for four days. (This I've asked to find the better rate. Basically you need this to get the bike out of the customs) then receive the customs permit,, head on over to the cargo terminal of the respective airlines,, (Shuttle bus every 5 minutes) pay the storage fee of some 5 - 10 USD ,, you hook up your battery ,, get the panniers on ,, then find the ferry to In-Cheon city ,, 5 minutes away. ( My self,, I hit the highway to Seoul,, thru the autopay gate ,, look for the cops and be in the city in 30 minutes)
Starting this year ,, the BOND is done away with! No more bond! So ,, if you are a non ATA conference nation, such as Germany, Swiss ,, you only pay the insurance for the bond. CA USD 100 - 200 or so.
(Bike insurance via other ports stand at 45 per month. In Cheon and Wendy needs to work on this)

​
9시진행해서 대략 1-2시정도 카고터미널에서 출고가능한듯합니다(기존진행자의 경우)
업무에 참고하세요
제가 서류 미리 구비하고 H/CHG : USD50 받고 있습니다.
작년까진 통관관세사 사용하고 CUSTOM CHARGE USD50 정도 청구했는데
관우회라는곳에서 관세사없이 일괄진행해서 앞으로는 CUSTOM CHARGE는
제가 따로 청구하지 않을예정입니다.
​​If you start the customs process around 9AM ,, you will be able to leave the airport, on your bike by 12-1 PM.
I will prepare all the documents and will charge the handling fee of USD 50 only. Until last year, I had to hire a local airport agent (requirement by the customs) and before I have charged 50 + 50 =100 ,, but starting this year ,, it is not necessary to do so,, from now on,, I will not be charging the clearance fee.

참고하시고, 문의사항 있으시면 언제든지 연락주세요~​
​Please be advised and if you have more questions,, please let me know.
Best regards
Wendy

So before leaving your home.. send following to Wendy ASAP
1) Your passport copy
2) Your international driver's license copy
3) Vehicle registration copy
4) Shipping documents (Bill of Ladding/Airway Bill) copy ,, all by fax or take the picture of your docs and EM here.

Send the fee for the bike insurance to Wendy by PayPal ,, so she can have the insurance ready for you. Rest of the fees,, you pay direct, to all the agencies and get all the receipts, and attach them to your temporary permit. (Don't loose this paper)
If Wendy has all your info , she can make the reservation, for the DBS ferry, with out a security deposit.

Do a Google, for the places to stay ,, such as youth hostel in Seoul.. cheap motels in Seoul, business apartments in Seoul ,, rent a private apartment in Seoul etc.
My home is in Sung Buk Dong ,, just 5 minutes, from Kyung Bok Palace and Secret Garden Palace, in the embassy row, on the hills, with tons of Korean restaurants,, Sam Chung Dong old town,, In Sa Dong, cultural street. Subways every where ,,buses ,, taxis cheap and they all take credit card, ,, even for two bucks or even a pack of cigarettes at a 7/11 and other kisoks.
At least 10 youth hostels 20 - 40 USD,, 20 motels 40 - 80 USD ,, 30 hotels from 80 - 300 bucks, 15 minute radius of my house.

Free maps, at hotels,, airports,, police boxes.. tourists info kiosks,, city or village,, district ward offices.

So I found this place last month while I had my bike trucked out of ICN at 10pm. Its called the W Hotel. It is fairly new. Just North of China Town, Near the ferry dock from ICN if you can make the boat before it closes for the night.
The best part,,.it has a vacant lot just across the street to unload and reassemble your bike. The hotel has a solid wall around the parking area right in front of reception. So wheel the bike over there and lock it up when ready and get some sleep.
It has an outstanding shower in the room too.
The downside: If you are going to Sokcho, you have to ride through a city containing some of the most insane drivers I have ever seen. I have ridden in 72 countries. There is something wrong with Koreans

Glad you made out,, well done.
The first post of this thread starts out as a warning ,, We Koreans being one of the shittiest drivers, in the world ,, in fact highest highway and pedestrian death toll in all of OECD. One of the reason govt will not let bikers get on the freeway. Look out for other small bikers ,, delivering food or cargo ,, they will just go about any where ,, on the side walk,, pedestrian crossings ,, wriggle in and out of the traffic,, that public view is hurting rest of the bikers , in this country.
Drive, in Korea as if your life depends on it. Think of it as Rome ,, or Athens some 30 years ago, but better than Mumbai
or Hanoi.
If you catch the cargo terminal early,, you can assemble the bike, as you unpack the crate, at the airport. It's a pain to hire a truck USD 100 - 150 to drive over to In Cheon.
Take either the ferry, with your bike ,, or hit the highway heading out to Seoul, then get off at Gim Po airport and disappear into the local roads (30 minute run). As a foreigner it will be worth it. I have also posted ,, In Cheon is the dirtiest ,, polluted city in Korea. (All factories) If you take this option ,, make sure you pass the autopay toll booth called Hipass, marked with blue lines, so you don't stop. Will save you 5 - 6 hours of In Cheon detour ,, or like red , whole 24 hours. In case you are caught ,, all you will get is a warning, from the cops. In fact,, I recommend this route as not much traffic, on this highway and no cops.

W hotel ,, red is mentioning is an imitation,, a small hotel or a motel,, motels in Korea looks lot like a small hotel, in the west.
The real W hotel as, in NY and Paris ,, is on the Han River North, in Gwang Jang Dong, east Seoul ,, right next to the Walker Hill Hotel ,, where you catch 6 ( Stay right on the Han River north) then onto highway 44 ,, all the way to Yang Pyung then to Yang Yang hit the 7 south do Gangreung and Donghae (Seoul - Yang Pyung - Yong Mun - Hong Chon - In Jae - Mishi Ryung Pass Tunnel Toll - Sok cho - Yang yang ) sign will say Sok Cho - Yang Yang ,, follow it through the Mishiryung tunnel under the So Rak mountain,, stop by the little stop on the right after the tunnel and the toll,, enjoy the wind swept peaks to your right and rear. Steep hill down then ,, with view of the East Sea as you descend,, almost like coming down to Cannes on the Route des Soleille.
Turn right to south onto 7 to Gangreung ,, Donghae is some 40 KM south of Gangreung. As you drive in to Donghae look towards the seaport on your left,, International Seaport Passenger Terminal. Get a motel right smack in the middle of the village. USD 38 per night for two person, with secure parking. 10 minutes from the ferry terminal.


http://www.starwoodhotels.com/whotel...caleCode=en_US



As you approach the port , you will see the sign DBS drive into the gate,, park by the office,, pay for the ticket,, drive your bike onto the vessel ramp,, secure your gear ,, get off the boat ,, go cross the street and grab a lunch ,, be on board by noon,, get a bunk nearest to the life jackets,, then look for the Korean cook at the mess hall, who is a Korean Hubber.

https://www.google.co.kr/search?q=do...w=1024&bih=478

https://www.google.co.kr/search?q=ma...m=122&ie=UTF-8

https://www.google.com/maps/place/W+...a728d9a1830d4d

Hi Joe - We are looking at doing the Sokcho to Zarubino ferry in July, but confused on the actual days of the week it runs this route. Web site has two different schedules listed - one states that it sails from Sokcho on Sundays and Wednesdays and the other states Tuesdays and Thursdays. Do you know which is accurate for the month of July?

Thanks in advance!

__________________
2005 DL 650 V-Strom

Only the DBS operates between Donghae and Vladivostok, as of June 26, 2014
http://www.dbsferry.com/eng/02_ticket/ticket03.asp

(This ferry closed the service)
Hey folks,,, two sailings per week. One on Wednesday ,, another on Sunday, to Zarubino.
:::::StenaDaeaLine:::::

Remember ,,we have monsoon, from end of June to mid July, in Korea. Rain gear a must.
Also going west ,, you don't have the glaring Siberian sun in the mornings. It gets very hot...Bring salt tablets and a big towel to wet it and throw around your neck. Also watch out for the melted asphalt after Krasnoyask,, they are killers. Sun stays alight till 10-11 PM ,, still light enough to see till midnight.

Just got the word,,
Staena Daena will cease the service as of June 26, 2014, between Sokcho and Zarubino.

Guess not enough revenue.
Even as we speak they have cut the sailing down to once as week, on Sundays only!
[url=http://stenadaea.com/passenger/passenger_schedule.asp]:::::

So only choice is Donghae to Vladivostok on DBS Ferry, as before.
http://www.dbsferry.com/eng/02_ticket/ticket03.asp

Since the quick demise of the Staena-Daena ferry service between, Sokcho and Zarubino. We are back to DBS, from Donghae to Vladivostok.
Meaning,,, Hiring Yuri, for the customs clearance,, three day wait at Vladivostok, for stevedores to unload the boat.
Good news ,,the cook on the DBS ferry is a Korean HUBBer ,, he will give you an extra egg or two.
DBS leaves, on Sunday 14:00 hours,, you must be on board by 12, check your bike in by 11 AM.
DBS Cruise Ferry
DBS also goes to Japan, from Donghae.

Best,,, fastest and safest way to Dong Hae is to head East, from Seoul,, catch highway 6 ,, then 44 all the way to Yang Yang, on the East Sea coast ,, then head south on 7 to Donghae. Seoul to Yang Yang appx 4 hours Yang Yang to Donghae appx one hour.
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/whotel...caleCode=en_US
Plenty of motels ,, many nice beaches,, you can camp literally any where,, great sea food.

Korean bikers on adventure type bikes are always on look out for foreign bikers,, so if you need help ,, just holler.

Good luck.

http://www.olgatour.ru/ticket/eastern_dream/

Let Google Chrome do the translation.

Hi Joe - I don't have enough posts to send you a PM. We are traveling through S. Korea next week and will be spending Monday 7/21 and Tuesday nights in Seoul. We are booked on the DBS ferry for Sunday, July 27th so have some time to explore the S. Korea countryside. We have full camping gear and plan to look for interesting places to camp once we depart Seoul.

If you are available Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday to meet for coffee, wine etc. we would enjoy meeting and getting advice on your country. We are clearing the bikes through customs on Wednesday. Your thread on S. Korea has been very helpful in planning this portion of the journey and is very much appreciated.

My email is chip8150@me.com. I hope we get the chance to meet.

Best,
Chip

__________________
2005 DL 650 V-Strom

Hello Chip ,,
I am in town all week.
Seoul had hardly any monsoon, so far,, but this week news of some rain.
Wed,Thur, Fri and Sat.
날씨 &ndash; Daum 통합 검색

Hang out in Seoul ,, plenty to see. Leave for Dong Hae, on Friday ,, staying a night in Sokcho or Gangrung,, catch the Sunday ferry, out of Donghae.

https://www.google.co.kr/search?q=se...m=122&ie=UTF-8

https://www.google.co.kr/search?q=be...w=1024&bih=478

I also have a Korean Hubber leaving for Donghae, for the same ferry. He is on his way to Baikal,, so he can be guide, in Korea as well as on the ferry.
His nick is "Adbang". We can all meet on Tuesday or Wednesday. (Jetlag)
Since you guys will be spending three days in Vladivostok, for Yuri to clear the bike,, I will ask Iron Angels, Vladivostok, to invite you over to their club house.
I will send same info via your EM.
See you.

Hi SeoulJoe,

We were quite happy to see the Pacific today in Vladivostok after leaving the Atlantic in Europe two months ago. We will be on the Wed DBS ferry and hope to meet you for coffee and a chat later this week or early next week. How does your schedule look?

Yesterday we saw quite a contingent of adventure riders heading west. Mostly the road was fine, but a few of the construction zones were quite dusty due to the traffic.

All the best,
Paul

I will be more than happy to meet,, Wendy has my details.
And send me an EM with URL to your hotel or motel.