Is there any good shopping in seoul?

and has anyone out there ever been to pyongyang if yes then is it really as bad as it is put out to be

Myeong-dong 鈥?the shopaholic鈥檚 (with expensive taste) Mecca

Namdaemum Market 鈥?don鈥檛 let the name fool you because it鈥檚 more than a market, it鈥檚 the largest shopping district in Korea.

Dongdaemun Market 鈥?fashion conscious people鈥檚 heaven and parents鈥?nightmare, if they鈥檙e the one who鈥檚 footing the credit card bills. Prices are great and it opens 24 hours. It鈥檚 peak hours, at least the last time I went there, was between 11:00 pm to 2:30 am, when small retailers from rural areas come for a massive shopping spree.

Insa-dong 鈥?traditional items

Itaewon 鈥?non-Koreans favorite shopping area

Apgujeong 鈥?luxury items only

Shopping inSeoul is fantastic, you will love it. I heard that Pyonyang is not that bad, just keep and open mind.

I have had friends in the military stationed there. The shopping is not the main draw in Korea. The fact that they can make anything that you want. My friend had a whole set of fake Gucci luggage made up for her. My friend also said that all you have to do is take a fashion magazine with an outfit that you like and they can duplicate it. The only bad thing that I have ever heard about Korea is the air pollution is horrendous, I mean worse than LA.

Here are some of the biggest shopping places in Seoul

Myeangdong -----Shoping center
Chariyang----- Russian District
Busan----- Electronic Products market
Lukje Shijang Market

A lot of the tenants speak a little english, but a little Korean will help you if you want to haggle

Shopping in Seoul for a foreigner is OK. If you don't have a Korean friend try the Iteawon area. Pretty much everyone speaks english.
If you do have an interpreter with you try going to NamDaeMun after midnight. You'll get great prices on clothing. You can also do a little drinking in a pojang maja, tent restaruant.
For electronics you can go to Yongsan electronics market or Techno mart.
If you want to check out the trendy people go to Apkujang dong. Kind of a Seoul Rodeo Drive. Lots of nice looking girls and you might even see a korean drama being filmed.
Stay away from the Department stores like Lotte and Hyundai. They are way over priced.
For food and home shopping try Wal-mart or E-mart. There is also a Cosco south of Seoul but you know how that goes.It's only worth while if you have a lot of people to feed.

Don't follow sharky's advice unless you're in Pusan.