When I lived near Seoul, we used to say that everywhere (outside Korea) was $400 dollars away. It didn’t matter where you wanted to travel to, near or far in Asia, it cost about $400. Beijing (close) $400. Singapore (far) $400. Everything in between (like Hong Kong), $400. Even Saipan, which is way south of here, just north of the equator - $400.
Well, now I live in Busan in the southeast corner of the country, and everywhere inside Korea is 4 hours away. Mokpo, on the southwest corner? Four hours. Yeosu, which is half way between Busan and Mokpo? Four hours (Really. Apparently once you get off the highway the roads are very slow and that’s completely believable given the traffic I’ve seen here.). Seoul, which is on the northwest corner and over 400 km away? Four hours (3 hours by bullet train – KTX – and one hour to get to the train from my apartment). Even Fukuoka Japan, the nearest port by high speed ferry is four hours from my place.
— SGP
