You have to wonder when a guidebook starts off practically every section about a new city with: "Not many people come to (fill in city's name) but if you get stuck here then try this... I find Lonely Planet Korea to be very negative about the country and the cities within it (with the exception of Seoul). It gave very little practical information. I haven't seen the new edition, but I bought the previous one and was truly disappointed by it.

A much better, more comprehensive, and upbeat guide is the Moon Handbook by Robert Nilsen. I see he's just come out with a new edition too. He seems to know a lot more about Korea than the Lonely Planet writers and offers a better view for the traveler who is going to be in Korea for a few months or more. If you are going for a week, maybe Lonely Planet is o.k., but for anything longer disregard it and use the internet or the aforementioned travel guide.