Is there a lot of crime in South Korea? Should you be worried about tensions between the North and South? Here are our top safety tips for travelers to South Korea.
Photo © iStock/uschools
South Korea is a safe destination, but, does that mean travelers have nothing to worry about?
- Travel health tips for South Korea
- Is Seoul Safe?
- How to avoid crime in South Korea
- Racism in South Korea
- Tensions between North and South Korea
- How real is the threat of nuclear war from North Korea?
- Just how safe is South Korea?
Travel health tips for South Korea
See your travel doctor prior to visiting South Korea, and make sure you have all the recommended booster shots and vaccinations before you go. Other diseases such as measles mumps and rubella (MMR), diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, varicella (chickenpox), polio, and your yearly flu shot should be up to date.
Is Seoul safe?
Each city in South Korea suffers from the same criminal activity as any other city around the world. From petty thieves and con artists to drunken brawlers, danger could be a threat to anyone – it's about knowing the areas to avoid and tactics to stay safe.
Just watch out for pickpockets in crowded areas of Seoul, question any extra friendly people (who are probably trying to scam you), and watch out when you're crossing busy roads.
If there is a large demonstration or protest (which are common in Seoul), walk the other way and avoid these crowds, which may turn violent.
How to avoid crime in South Korea
- Keep your money and valuables out of sight and out of reach
- Be cautious if you go out by yourself late at night, especially if you're a woman traveling alone
- Be wary of anyone who approaches you out of nowhere
- Don't insult anyone's family, friends, culture, ethnicity or religion (obvious, we know)
- Don't leave valuables in your hotel room that you don't want stolen
- Only take taxis that are marked like taxis, and if you're confused, have your hotel/hostel call a legitimate service for you before you leave your room
- Learn how to say, "Please," "Thank you," "Hello," and "Goodbye" in Korean, and use them when appropriate.
Be aware of where you're going, and try to appear confident as you explore the urban landscapes of Seoul, Daejeon, Busan, Jeonju, and other major cities.
South Korea says no to contraband items
This should be obvious, but when you travel outside your home country, please don't bring any type of contraband items with you.
South Korea take the matter very seriously: travelers will be charged a hefty fine, and face long jail sentences for bringing unauthorized goods into the country. This includes narcotics, some prescription drugs, health supplements, firearms, ammunition and explosives, as well as radio equipment, and gold.
Marijuana is also taboo in South Korea. Possession and consumption comes with a large fine and possibly jail time as well, so think again if you are planning to have a cheeky smoke.
Be careful what books and magazines you bring into the country, as anti-obscenity laws are very strict.
Know that if you commit a serious enough crime, you may be liable for the death penalty – even though you're not a citizen. Executions are still a matter of debate in South Korea, but people have called for executions when it comes to violent crime.
Racism in South Korea
Given South Korea's very strong sense of national, ethnic, and racial pride, don't be surprised if some of the legal adjudications seem unfairly biased – some might suggest there's an undercurrent of racism.
If a Korean man accosts you on the street, think twice before hitting back. Unfortunately, the law will side with the Korean nearly every time. This could be the case in serious crimes like rape, though if you are the victim of such a crime, you should consult with your nation's embassy to see what can be done about legal recourse.
Tensions between North and South Korea
In South Korea (where reporting North Korean rhetoric is banned) life goes on as usual despite the North and South technically being at war.
In April 2018, North Korea announced a halt to nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile testing, although ome missile testing has resumed. Tensions between North and South Korea can change with little notice. For the latest information, check your government travel advisory, and follow their advice.
North Korea and South Korea officially are still at war. No surrender or peace pact was ever signed. Consequently, the media likes to report about the tension on the peninsula regularly. Things were tense in 2017 and early 2018 with sabre-rattling (or missile rattling) from North Korea. Despite this, 15 million people visited South Korea in 2018, and it is still considered one of the safest destinations in the world.
The warning for visitors usually occurs a day after a warning from North Korea, advising foreign governments to evacuate their embassies because their safety couldn't be guaranteed in the event of hostilities.
How real is the threat of nuclear war from North Korea?
In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, North Korea blew up an inter-Korean liaison office on its side of the border, which triggered further tensions.
Aside from the continual tit for tat between North Korea and the US and the occasional weapons test, Kim Jong Un hasn't really followed through on any threats. Consider downloading the South Korean Government's "Emergency Ready" app before you go, just in case there are any new threats.
So far, there has been no gathering of troops on the border or activation of hardware. Tensions usually heighten when there are joint US-South Korea exercises.
Despite threats from the north, South Koreans tend to go about their lives.
There was a show of diplomacy by both Korean nations when athletes competed together at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. Athletes also marched together during the opening ceremony under a unified peninsula flag. The last time this happened was in 2002 at the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics.
Dignitaries including Kim Jong Un's sister made the trip south, the first time anyone from the Kim dynasty has visited its southern neighbor. With opportunities for future talks between the two nations, it raises some hope for more peaceful times on the Korean Peninsula and potential unification.
So, just how safe is South Korea?
South Korea has one of the lowest crime rates in the modern world, so a lot of this article is, in truth, hyperbolic. In other words, you shouldn't decide not to go to South Korea just because you're concerned about crime that could just as easily happen anywhere else in the world – perhaps even at home.
There's so much to see, from historic temples to politically intense spots (such as the DMZ with North Korea) to ultra-modern cities and peaceful honeymoon resorts. South Koreans are extremely friendly, and this friendliness comes from their pride in their heritage.
If you're trying to find the best time of year to travel to South Korea, avoid typhoon season, which runs from June to November. If you have a trip booked for typhoon season, stay up to date ahead of your flight to make sure there are no cancellations due to severe weather.
South Korea is located in a seismically active zone, and although earthquakes aren't as common here as they are in Japan or China, it's important to know what to do if an earthquake does occur.
Keep an eye on developments and travel advisories on coronavirus and tensions between the North and South. But make sure you know the difference between rhetoric, propaganda and real risk from North Korea.
As you would elsewhere, respect and celebrate their pride, get to know their story, and go out of your way to learn a bit of the local language. The chances of you running into any sort of criminal activity are slim to none. For now, avoid traveling to South Korea until the coronavirus outbreak has been contained, and as always, check your government's travel advisory for the latest information.
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16 Comments
I took the risk and went to Seoul last week on the brink of the news of North Korea closing its industrial zone. Yes, life goes on as usual in Seoul. Now, I'm back home in Manila. Fear does not hold us back. Otherwise, we won't be going galavanting around the world.
South Korea isn't dangerous at all. It's only a political tug of war.
You will enjoy the visiting and will absolutely safe!
I worked with the loveliest and safest people on earth and a very christian country!!!! Yes they ignore the northern threats but you see, the two countries share a province cut by the DMZ and speak the same language and South wants unification of both DROK with its ROK. Night clubs in Seoul are safe and places of energy and relaxation with locals highly interested in the foreigners presence.
The North only wants American Bases in South Korea to leave in actual fact. Vibrant city and people with all night sauna places where teens meet and socialize overnight in a public place which is cheap accommodation and entertainment for them. Cheap stay for a foreigner with baths and spas....which are separate sex so boys can't get in with the girls naked but can lounge together afterwards in light shorts and Tshirt.Zimzilban!
Great idea.!!
I am leaving Australia on the 3 rd May is it safe to travel ..
Here now with wife and 2 young kids. Was contemplating last week to cancel (even notified the hotels to see what my options were) but just bought an additional insurance then went ahead. Lazing in Grand Children's Park now with my kid taking an afternoon nap amongst some oldies singing lullabies whilst wife is out shopping with infant daughter. At least we'd all go together if anything happens and amongst some great company!
I could only find this old article about safety in Seoul. I'll be flying to Seoul upcoming Monday for my studies. I'm planning to study 5 months in Seoul (august till january). Still same hassle now in 2017 as in 2013, or should I be worried by now? Hope someone can help me out!
I'm on a similar situation as Lou, i just got the opportunity to study in a south korean university for 6 months as an exchange student, but it starts on the January of 2018. My parents are convinced it is 100% not safe to go, but i know this is a one life-time opportunity and i've been trying my best to learn the language on my own already...Can anyone give recent feedback?
Like South Korea is one of the safest country on earth! It is true that there is no crime at all, but a lot of S. Koreans just go around at late night even 2AM or whenever and they just get some milk or snacks at convenience stores! Yeah, it is agreeable that N. Korea makes provocations sometimes, but Korean military is not weak as all Koreans serve military service for two years and we, America, do have strong alliance with S. Korea. Enjoy trips in S. Korea!
A lot of people are asking updates so here’s the deal. Despite North Korea and South Korea being at a stalemate, South Korea is one of the most developed and fast paced countries in the world, especially Seoul. Traveling there, realistically has no danger. No one who lives in South Korea are constantly worried about North Korea, they’ve become desentisied to the old scare tactics (in a good way, since there’s hardly any if ever, follow through). Seoul is a lovely, modern, and beautiful city and there’s so much to do and explore from both the new and the old. There’s buzzing nightlife, incredibly accessible public transportation, both cheap/traditional street food and extravagant restaurants, not to mention the historical palaces and mountains you can visit/hike. Don’t let what you hear stop you from visiting South Korea! There’s a huge foreigner population as well so you won’t feel left out if you go to a bar and mingle with some English speakers (the foreigner town is called itaewon).
S. Korea is very clean and very safe with friendly people.
One of my favorite places to visit.
What about the air quality? Is this a problem for visitors in March 2019?
i am looking to visit south korea soon with my husband
What does it cost to check in to a hotel, or even a hostel?
I’m planning to study abroad and live for about 6 years in 2022/2023 and I was wondering if it’s safe for me to travel alone to South Korea because it’s my dream to travel there. Is it true that it’s dangerous for me to live alone in an apartment or a hotel because my family has been telling me not to live there anymore after I graduate college, and I’m never letting this stop me from living there? Any advice?
Never get pickpocketed ever
Don’t hesitate to come Seoul.
I lived in Korea for three years and we would put our wallets and phones to mark our tables as taken as we would walk to the bathroom. It’s a known thing there that no one will steal your belongings. Completely safe. And yes a lot of propaganda and scare tactics about North. Seriously one of the best decisions I made was moving there.