Korea - Korea: USO DMZ / Samsung Galaxy Tab

Finally caved in and paid the "extortion" to KE, and will be traveling to ROR for 1 week, and Korea for 3 weeks on the return.

About 2-3 months I ago, I remember writing an email to the USO re their DMZ tour. Don't recall ever getting a response. Understand that their tour is the best, but it is necessary to pre-register (for security purposes?).

Can anyone shed any light on what the current procedure actually is re USO DMZ tour?

Also, could stand a cell phone upgrade in the form of a Samsung tablet.

I understand that an unlocked Galaxy 2 is capable of US cellular connections (i.e., ATT 3G) in addition to the standard wi-fi connections.

Is it feasible / does it make sense, to purchase a Samsung Galaxy 2 while in Korea, as opposed to purchasing it in the US?

Thanx!

Finally caved in and paid the "extortion" to KE, and will be traveling to ROR for 1 week, and Korea for 3 weeks on the return.

About 2-3 months I ago, I remember writing an email to the USO re their DMZ tour. Don't recall ever getting a response. Understand that their tour is the best, but it is necessary to pre-register (for security purposes?).

Can anyone shed any light on what the current procedure actually is re USO DMZ tour?

Also, could stand a cell phone upgrade in the form of a Samsung tablet.

I understand that an unlocked Galaxy 2 is capable of US cellular connections (i.e., ATT 3G) in addition to the standard wi-fi connections.

Is it feasible / does it make sense, to purchase a Samsung Galaxy 2 while in Korea, as opposed to purchasing it in the US?

Thanx!

When I did the USO tour a few years ago, I called 2 days before, and they wanted us to pay when we arrived. No background screening or any special security checks on the day of departure at all

Electronics are far more expensive here than in the US. Even for Korean made products. Samsung doubly so. I believe a unlocked Galaxy S II off contact here is around 800$, and it won't work on all US networks. If you are a non-Korean speaker, even getting that price might be challenging

Thanx! Appreciate the feedback, better to know before i go...

Did the USO DMZ tour with my son over Thanksgiving weekend. Made the reservation on their website and signed the credit card charge slip at the USO office the morning of the tour. Passports were checked by the USO before boarding the bus and by the US Military when arriving at Camp Bonifas. Great Tour (mostly US army kids on the tour, who had just arrived for their year tour), check the schedule on the website to make sure it is offered on the day you want and make a reservation (the bus was fully booked when we went), tour isn't offered on Sunday and Monday (US soliders who conduct tours are off those days). By the way the USO offers other interesting tours as well. My 24 year old son is an electronics/tech nut and he said prices weren't very good on such stuff.

Finally caved in and paid the "extortion" to KE, and will be traveling to ROR for 1 week, and Korea for 3 weeks on the return.

About 2-3 months I ago, I remember writing an email to the USO re their DMZ tour. Don't recall ever getting a response. Understand that their tour is the best, but it is necessary to pre-register (for security purposes?).

Can anyone shed any light on what the current procedure actually is re USO DMZ tour?


Did the tour since I was there last year for work and I highly recommend it. Our bus did depart from the base and there were several rules we had to follow which included a dress code, no pointing, jacket had to be either worn or left on the bus when entering Panmunjom, etc. The tour is a whole day thing, which also includes Imjingak, Dorasan train station, JSA, Third Tunnel of Aggression, etc.

Any updates on this due to the recent news?

Arriving ICN on 12/23, DMZ tour sched for 12/24.

Will let you know.

Any updates on this due to the recent news?

USO Tours continue uninterrupted.

Seconding the "don't bother with electronics in Korea" line.

I too was looking for a tablet on transit through Seoul earlier this year. Not only were tablets in any form other than iPad not that easy to find (even at some of the electronics malls), but when they were found, they were no cheaper than at home. Definitely buy your tablet in the US.

yes, uso tour went off as scheduled.

appreciate the feedback, will wait until i return to the states to look for a tab.

Another reason not to buy electronics in Korea with the intent to use in North America: manuals are written in Korean for the local market, chargers come in the international round plug so you will need an adapter to charge it, sometimes the first time you turn a device on it defaults to Korean which can be an adventure in itself to figure out how to change. Most importantly, making a warranty claim will usually require you to initiate the claim in Korea, with a Korean address. A bad idea all around.

Did the USO DMZ tour with my son over Thanksgiving weekend. Made the reservation on their website and signed the credit card charge slip at the USO office the morning of the tour. Passports were checked by the USO before boarding the bus and by the US Military when arriving at Camp Bonifas. Great Tour (mostly US army kids on the tour, who had just arrived for their year tour), check the schedule on the website to make sure it is offered on the day you want and make a reservation (the bus was fully booked when we went), tour isn't offered on Sunday and Monday (US soliders who conduct tours are off those days).

Did this tour a couple of weeks ago. HIGHLY recommended. Definitely make a reservation. I didn't and almost wasnt able to go but for a last minute no show. You won't be disappointed ^