South Korea needs to import goods from other countries to support its large population. Because a lot of food is packaged, shipped, and delivered to the country, the cost of some food products is much higher than in the United States. Grapes, for example, cost over $10 here! That has been a challenge since I love eating fruit so now I only buy fruit on special occasions.
For the harsh, cold winters, South Korea uses a floor heating system called ondols. Originally, wood was burned to heat the floor and you slept on the ground to stay warm. Now instead of a wood fire, gas is used to heat the floor. Ondols are more energy efficient compared to heating an entire room like they do in the States because they keep the heat close to the ground, preventing it from rising to the ceiling and escaping.
In the hot summer months, South Korea relies heavily on air conditioning to reduce health risks related to heat. This helps keep people safe and comfortable during the warm season.
