South Korea : Safety by CityIt’s not every day you visit a country that technically has been at war for 70 years, yet feels safer than most cities back home.
South Korea sits on the southern half of the Korean Peninsula, a striking blend of ancient traditions and fast-moving innovation.
While North Korea often grabs headlines and rather horrific travel warnings, South Korea is its own force—democratic, vibrant, and fully open to travelers.
Once devastated by war in the 1950s, South Korea rebuilt itself into one of Asia’s most dynamic destinations.
Today, it pulls in over 16 million visitors a year who come for the contrasts: centuries-old palaces and neon-lit cityscapes, quiet mountain trails and K-pop blaring from storefronts, street food stalls, and sleek designer boutiques.
It’s a country where hiking is practically a national sport, skincare routines are a form of art, and communal bathhouses sit down the street from robot cafes.
You’ll find buzzing urban life around Seoul and Busan, slower-paced coastal towns along the east and south shores, traditional heartlands like Gyeongju and Andong, and wild natural beauty in places like Seoraksan National Park and Jeju Island.
Warnings & Dangers in South Korea
OVERALL RISK: LOW
South Korea is safe overall, with a low risk. Plus, aside from some wicked weather seasons, there isn't a part of the country with a higher risk.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
Public transport in South Korea is excellent—fast, cheap, and safe. Subways and buses run on time, and taxis are easy to flag down or book through apps like Kakao T. Scams involving taxis are rare but not impossible, so always use official taxis and insist they turn on the meter.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
Pickpocketing isn’t a huge problem, but it does happen, especially in busy places like Myeongdong, Hongdae, and major subway stations. It’s a medium risk mainly because crowds make it easier for petty theft. Other than that, there's little to worry about. Keep your valuables zipped up and close, and stay aware when you’re in tourist hotspots or festivals.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
Typhoons can hit hard between July and September, especially in coastal areas like Busan and Jeju Island. Flooding and landslides during the monsoon season are real risks, especially if you’re hiking. Earthquakes are rare but not unheard of. Always check the Emergency Ready app for alerts if you're visiting during summer.
MUGGING RISK: LOW
Mugging and violent street crime are extremely rare in South Korea. It’s one of the safest countries in the world to walk around, even late at night. That said, still use common sense—don’t flash cash, avoid super dark alleys in entertainment districts, and stick to well-lit public areas after hours.
TERRORISM RISK: LOW
The terrorism risk in South Korea is low. There haven’t been any major incidents in recent history targeting tourists or public spaces. However, North Korea tensions sometimes cause security alerts. It’s smart to register your trip with your embassy if you’re staying for a long period or during major holidays.
SCAMS RISK: LOW
Most locals are honest, but tourist scams do exist, especially in nightlife areas like Itaewon or Gangnam. Overpriced bars, fake monks asking for donations, and rigged games are the usual suspects. If someone approaches you out of nowhere offering a “free gift” or “special event,” it’s usually not legit. The risk is low if you proceed with caution and skepticism.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
South Korea is generally very safe for women traveling alone, with low street harassment compared to many countries. The risk bumps up to medium late at night around clubs, bars, and some karaoke spots, where alcohol-related incidents can happen. Stick to reputable places, and trust your gut if something feels off.
TAP WATER RISK: LOW
Tap water in South Korea is safe to drink, especially in major cities. Some locals still prefer bottled water due to taste or old piping in older buildings, but that’s more about preference than safety. If you’re traveling to remote areas, bottled water is easy to find and cheap.
Safest Places to Visit in South Korea
The official tourism site for the country is english.visitkorea.or.kr, and it’s a good starting point for planning your trip.
It also helps to know that when you see the word “Korea” by itself, such as Visit Korea, it almost always means South Korea, not North.
Tourism is a huge priority here, and most parts of the country are very safe for visitors.
Seoul is the hub for most travelers, home to landmarks like Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village, and busy shopping districts like Myeongdong and Hongdae.
If you want a day trip from Seoul, consider heading to Suwon to see Hwaseong Fortress or to Incheon’s Chinatown and coastal islands.
Busan, on the southern coast, is known for its beaches like Haeundae and Gwangalli, Jagalchi Fish Market, and the colorful Gamcheon Culture Village.
It’s also the starting point for easy trips to nearby temples like Beomeosa.
Jeju Island, off the southern tip, is famous for volcanic landscapes, hiking up Hallasan (South Korea’s highest mountain), and beaches like Hamdeok and Jungmun.
It’s a slower pace than the mainland and often a getaway spot for locals.
For history and culture, Gyeongju—called “the museum without walls”—preserves ancient Silla Dynasty sites and Buddhist art.
The Andong Hahoe Folk Village is another UNESCO-listed area if you want a deep cultural experience.
Nature lovers should check out Seoraksan National Park for hiking, especially in fall, and Jirisan National Park for more rugged mountain trails.
Korean bathhouses (jjimjilbangs) like Dragon Hill Spa in Seoul are a big part of the culture.
Most are family-friendly, but it’s smart to read recent reviews first—some smaller or late-night-only jjimjilbangs are less polished and can feel sketchy to travelers not used to them.
Places to Avoid in South Korea
South Korea is very safe overall, but there are a few places where you’ll want to be a little more careful.
Crowded nightlife spots like Itaewon, Hongdae, and Seomyeon in Busan can have pickpocketing and petty scams, especially late at night.
Red-light districts like Miari or Cheonho-dong in Seoul aren’t exactly unsafe, but they’re not places you want to accidentally wander into, especially after dark.
Some parts of Seoul, like Guro and Yeongdeungpo, have slightly higher crime rates compared to the rest of the city, but that’s by Korean standards, which are still lower than most places.
Coastal regions like Busan and Jeju Island get hit harder during typhoon season (July to September), so watch the weather if you’re traveling then.
And if you see a political protest around City Hall or Gwanghwamun Square, steer clear—it’s safer to observe South Korean democracy from a distance.
Safety Tips for Traveling to South Korea
- Local police in South Korea are professional and generally trustworthy. There isn’t a dedicated tourist police force nationwide, but in big cities like Seoul, you’ll sometimes see English-speaking officers in tourist-heavy areas. In an emergency, dial 112 for police and 119 for fire or ambulance. Both lines usually have English translators, but it might take a minute.
- South Korea has a free app called Emergency Ready that sends real-time alerts for natural disasters, accidents, and even major protests. It’s available in English and worth downloading before you go. Especially during typhoon and monsoon season (July–September), it’s smart to check local news and weather apps daily, since storms can cause sudden closures and travel headaches.
- If you want to drive, you’ll need an International Driving Permit (IDP) along with your home country’s license. That said, driving in Korea can be stressful—expect aggressive lane changes, scooters buzzing by, and dense traffic in cities. Rural roads are calmer, but the weather and signage can still trip you up. If you’re not a confident driver, public transport is a better call.
- South Korean law lets authorities arrest or jail anyone they believe threatens national security, including just making comments that could be seen as praising North Korea. Even if you’re joking or quoting something, it’s not taken lightly. Bottom line: steer clear of anything political when you’re talking, posting, or joking around while you’re there.
- Amphetamines like Adderall, Xanax, and opioid painkillers are strictly illegal to bring into South Korea unless you have written permission in advance from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. No exceptions, and getting caught can mean serious trouble. If you take any controlled meds, check the rules months ahead of your trip—you can’t just bring your prescription bottle and hope for the best.
- Even peaceful-looking protests can turn unpredictable, and police often show up in large numbers. Political demonstrations usually happen around Gwanghwamun Square, City Hall, and major government buildings in Seoul. Best move? Steer clear of any large gatherings, marches, or chanting crowds—even if you’re just curious.
- Don’t panic if you suddenly hear loud sirens or see people ducking into subway stations. South Korea runs regular civil defense drills for fires, earthquakes, and other disasters. These are organized by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and are completely routine. You’ll usually get a heads-up on your phone through an emergency alert, but sometimes the sirens are the only warning.
- English is common at airports, big hotels, and tourist spots, but less so once you get into neighborhoods, smaller cities, or taxis. It helps a lot to have your destination written down in Korean (your hotel can do this) to show cab drivers. Translation apps like Papago (better than Google Translate for Korean) can be a lifesaver, too.
- South Korea’s public spaces are much quieter than what most Westerners are used to. Loud conversations, speakerphone calls, and public arguments are frowned upon. On subways, especially, it’s normal for whole cars to be almost silent. Keep your voice low and your phone on silent—it’s a small thing, but people will notice if you don’t.
- On buses and trains, you’ll see special seats marked for the elderly, pregnant women, or people with disabilities—usually near the doors. Even if they’re empty, it’s considered rude to sit there unless you fit the category. It’s better to stand or find a regular seat, because moving after someone calls you out is way more awkward.
So... How Safe Is South Korea Really?
We start to answer this question by looking at the travel advisories from governments around the world.
Between the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, we get a good sense of how dangerous or safe a country is overall.
For South Korea, all of those countries rank it at the lowest travel advisory level.
That’s Level 1: Exercise Standard Precautions.
It’s a stark contrast to the Level 4: Avoid All Travel for neighboring North Korea.
While daily life in South Korea is incredibly safe, having North Korea right across the border brings an underlying risk tied to military tensions and occasional missile tests.
Political tensions within South Korea also spiked in early 2025 following the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Things are expected to calm after the upcoming elections, but travelers should stay updated.
You can always get the latest news advisories through your country’s travel advisory.
I also recommend reading Canada’s advisory; they tend to get very granular with neighborhoods and risks.
Street crime and violent crime are rare in South Korea, but that doesn’t mean you should let down your guard.
Extra caution is also needed during the monsoon and typhoon seasons, May through August.
The weather can quickly take a bad turn and cause travel challenges and safety risks.
Overall, you shouldn’t worry about plans to visit South Korea if you’re using common sense and staying informed.
How Does South Korea Compare?
| Country | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| South Korea | 82 |
| Deadwood | 80 |
| Sturgis | 80 |
| Pierre | 81 |
| Spearfish | 80 |
| Hill City | 83 |
| Temuco | 31 |
| Sevierville | 73 |
| Pigeon Forge | 78 |
Useful Information
Visas
If you’re coming from the U.S., Canada, the U.K., or much of Europe, you don’t need a tourist visa for South Korea if you're staying under 90 days—but you do need to apply for a K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) before you go. It’s quick, online, and costs about $10-15. Don’t skip it, or you won’t board your flight.
Currency
South Korea uses the Korean won (竄ｩ), and cash is still handy even though cards work almost everywhere. ATMs that accept foreign cards are easy to find in big cities, but can get tricky in rural areas. Tipping isn’t expected, but rounding up a cab fare or leaving small change at a cafe is fine if you feel like it.
Weather
South Korea has four true seasons, and they don't mess around. Summers get hot, humid, and typhoon-prone, while winters are dry, freezing, and windy. Spring and fall are perfect—think cherry blossoms or crisp, colorful leaves. Always check the forecast for your trip because you might need a jacket, an umbrella, or both within a few days.
Airports
Incheon International Airport (ICN) near Seoul is the main international gateway, and it’s consistently ranked one of the best airports in the world—clean, efficient, and weirdly pleasant for a layover. Gimpo Airport handles more domestic flights. Regional airports like Busan's Gimhae are solid, too, but always double-check if your arrival airport matches your hotel’s location.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance isn’t just a "nice idea" for South Korea—it’s smart. Medical care is excellent, but it can be pricey if you don’t have coverage. Policies that include trip cancellations, health emergencies, and lost luggage are worth the few extra bucks. Bonus points if yours covers adventure sports like hiking, because Korea’s mountains will be calling.
South Korea Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C |
2 | 5 | 11 | 19 | 24 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 26 | 20 | 11 | 4 |
| Low °C |
-6 | -3 | 2 | 8 | 14 | 19 | 23 | 23 | 18 | 11 | 4 | -3 |
| High °F |
36 | 41 | 52 | 66 | 75 | 82 | 86 | 86 | 79 | 68 | 52 | 39 |
| Low °F |
21 | 27 | 36 | 46 | 57 | 66 | 73 | 73 | 64 | 52 | 39 | 27 |
South Korea - Safety by City
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Incheon | 69 |
| Seoul | 77 |
Can't really ask for more~
I have lived in South Korea for 13 years of my adult life and I can tell you for sure that there are no PICKPOCKETERS. I have never heard of anyone being the victim of such crime – not Korean nor foreigner.
I have only heard/felt a tiny earthquake during those 13 years but it was tiny, i don’t know at what point we stop calling it earthquakes and start calling it vibrations~
The country is as safe as it can get, I see people on front of universities leaving their notebook computer on the cafe table while they go have lunch; people hold their seats with their cellphone/bags ! its quite crazy tbh.
I will agree about the scam though, at most it is medium-low~ only the few handpicked idiots will fall for these though, seriously, you have to be really dumb to fall for these scams.
Bruh
Is Seoul offshore?
Good but still be careful
Hey bro i got pickpocketed there a couple of years back at myeongdong. After i left the cab and went down, I proceeded to take out my wallet and paid the taxi driver. Then, I proceeded to put my wallet into my coat. My coat had quite deep pockets, so no way it would have dropped, nor me leaving it in the taxi. I realised I was a victim only after I went into the first shop on the left and my mum asked me to pay. I remember it was very crowded and I even made a police report. Still have it till now. But i have to say, people there were very very helpful. Would definitely go there again once more.
Safe
South Korea Is Very Safe
Good country
Good country
Great
Yes I am South Korean and safe and great
Very safe
What pickpockets? What natural disasters? What scams? I am from here and surely there are NONE of them. I agree about the traffic, since there is lots of accidents but nothing else! Can you fix this a little?
Huh? I’ve lived in the capital city of Seoul for about two years and went back many times for visits, but I’ve NEVER HEARD OF ANY PICKPOCKETS, NATURAL DISASTERS, OR SCAMS against tourists EVER. Traffic is actually normal too, there won’t be any accidents if you are careful. Looks like some parts need to be fixed.
i like to hear that
Natural disasters? Earthquakes? Tsunamis? This website is messed up with Japan geographically and some earthquake happened because as a after effects of some North Korean nuclear testing. Traffic can be messed up, politics can be a multi topic connected to Korea’s history. Not forgetting its rough years under Japan.
South Korea is sooo safe. I was living in Busan for two months and it was amazing. But I agree with the traffic. People even drive on pavements, especially on scooters. Also you can get your drivers licence very fast there, so I am not really surprised. If you are in a big city, I recommed using underground passage or subway, it’s cheap and safe. But in overall, Korea is really safe.
You can put your phone and wallet on the table in a restaurant, go to the toilet and you will find your properties on the table. Also in the night it wasn’t bad. We were usually hanging out in the night and even in 3 AM there are so many people outside and a plenty of neon lights. Seriously they are everywhere, so if you are not stupid and don’t go into small dark alleys, it should be fine.
Most of the Koreans are so nice to us foreigners, sometimes they were starring at me, but in a curious way not the bad way. They were even chatting with me evn though they didn’t know me and also took pictures with me, which was funny and I felt kinda special XD.
Key Details Wrong
I have lived in SK for 16 years and have never once heard of anyone getting pickpocketed. Petty theft is almost unheard of. Also, earthquakes rarely strike here, as the Korean peninsula lies outside of major fault zones. The country actually doesn’t lie on the Pacific Ring of Fire.
There are typhoons in the late summer/early fall and flooding/landslides occur during the rainy season, but other than that, natural disasters are rare. And “teahouse scam” is common to China, not Korea. Whoever wrote this had got their East Asian countries mixed up.
Korea is much SAFER than this rate
This Key Rate must be written by somebody who never visited Korea
Korea is far away from pickpocketing and natural disaster
Korean people do not even take stuffs in public if it’s not theirs
Unlike Japan, Korea is much safer with natural disaster as well
Korea does not have tsunami or earthquake or active volcano as much as Japan
Please be awared!
I won’t call South Korea a safe country to visit. Many of their restrooms and fitting rooms are hidden with cameras. Your videos and photos could be uploaded to their websites. And your life can be their porn. Please be awared of it!
I guess you never been to South Korea.
I heard of this too
Yes, I heard of this too. I might be in one of those Mol Cas (secret films) – will never know since no one I know would ever pay to go into these sleezy website that shares Mol Cas of people peeing! Police and women groups are cracking down in these websites and checking the bathrooms but still know if you go into public bathrooms you could be filmed! Sleezy things happen everywhere in the world though.
no, this almost doesn’t happen, and when it does, it’s a rare event enough to come out on every news channel. you can trust public bathrooms, they’re clean and safe.
Natural disasters and PICKPOCKETS? Yeah, something tells me you haven’t lived here.
Pickpockets, yeah maybe up until the 80s. But I’ve seriously seen people return things that are dropped. Some girl noticed my backpack and pointed it out. I’ve sat next to a guy who got up and his wallet spilled out of his back pocket, and a guy on the other side immediately picked it up and returned it.
The biggest natural disaster is the annual typhoons, but that’s honestly about it. Earthquakes are incredibly rare and nothing to write home about.
Misleading
Natural disasters and PICKPOCKETS? Yeah, something tells me you haven’t lived here.
Pickpockets, yeah maybe up until the 80s. But I’ve seriously seen people return things that are dropped. Some girl noticed my backpack and pointed it out. I’ve sat next to a guy who got up and his wallet spilled out of his back pocket, and a guy on the other side immediately picked it up and returned it.
The biggest natural disaster is the annual typhoons, but that’s honestly about it. Earthquakes are incredibly rare and nothing to write home about. Japan’s natural disaster is rated as low and Korea’s is high? I’m not ragging on Japan here, but seriously? Japan has typhoons, tsunamis, and major earthquake risks. Korea’s not even close to the Ring of Fire nor does it have a risk of tsunamis. I don’t get this logic…
Is it Correct?
As many have pointed out, I can’t agree either.
In particular, NATURAL DISASTERS RISK..
I’m sorry for Japan, but I think Japan and Korea have changed?
PICKPOCKETS & SCAMS RISK also disagree.
How many countries are there in a country where I can carry my cell phone in
my back pocket and leave my bag and cell phone on the table in cafes and restaurants?
Came here for college, ended up applying for citizenship.
I’ve been living here for about two of my adult years, and oh boy it’s a place to be! The one thing I don’t like about this place is traffic. I was so shocked when I first started driving in Korea. I mostly walk and take the bus now because my car runs out of gas easily. One thing I wish was better here is LGBTQ Rights. Like most countries in Asia, South Korea has banned gay marriage. I’ve had to travel out of the country twice this year for thing I should be able to do here because of it. Overall I would really recommend at least staying for a couple weeks.
As a Korean who lived in South Korea for my whole life, South Korea is extremely safe, probably one of the most safest in the world. This rate is clearly incorrect and untrue. The person who wrote this probably never been to Korea, as they say there are many natural disasters and pickpocketing. Because the truth is there are barely any natural disasters in South Korea and pickpocketing rarely happens. If you go to Seoul and other cities, you can literally see kids young as first graders with their friends walking down the streets, and it’s perfectly fine as long as it isn’t late in the night. That’s how safe it is. This rating is stupid and obviously written by a person who has never experienced anything in South Korea.
Loved Korea!
I stayed outside of Seoul for a 3 month stay and didn’t experience any problems with scamming, crime or earthquakes while there. However, not at the fault of Korea, I did experience poor air quality as the polluted air from China made its way across the Yellow Sea. If you have asthma this could be a serious health issue. Traveling within the country is easily done by train or bus. Once you arrive in the country, be sure to get a taxi/bus/subway card at any convenience store. You can refill it as needed.
As an older woman traveling without knowing the language fluently, I felt safe at any time of the day or night. Many times, I walked home after 12 midnight from the university and never had a problem. Oh, one final note, if you see a purse or bookbag at a bus stop, don’t touch it. I found that people will return, and no one has bothered it.
I was born in South Korea and visit often, (my mother is South Korean), and South Korea is extremely safe!
However, there is a little thing for people who use the laddies’ room in major subways, in most of the stalls with squatty potties, there might be a camera. this is not legal in South Korea, but the major companies do it anyway. avoid subway restrooms, but other than that, South Koreans are very welcoming and the country is very beautiful!
Safe travels!
A real danger is loaming in the wild in SK, seriously nothing else mentioned above
As many users already pointed out, this information is not helpful at all to reflect and misled others if they would believe any of this. I’ve been living here more than 10 years for now, and I’ve been in every parts of the southern peninsula, so I can guarantee, you can get a great, rare story to tell if any dangers mentioned above befallen to you in this country. XDD Before Korea, lived in so many parts of the world except African continents, truly I never found a similar level of civil safety on anywhere except small rich, city-states like Singapore, Aruba, or HK before the umbrella revolution(very sad about this)… Anyone who just only wanted to see what’s the true hidden danger by saving times, look to the very last paragraph(in summary, just don’t go into off-the-beaten nature tracks, that’s all), and for others who just wanted to know why on earth it’s that much safe, I’ll demonstrate the underlying reasons.
Korea, especially around any big city area is under the surveillance devices everywhere, I’m not just talking about the conventional CCTV that the gov’t puts it, but everywhere where there is any car, you bet that they have personally-installed blackbox cams because Koreans are such a careful people and competitive to have fancy devices(once your neighbour has it, you need to get the same thing like a peer pressure), and everyone knows that, and can be used as an evidence in court if any altercation happened. And almost all the shops accept credit cards(At this point, even the moving food trucks and small dingy bodega selling vege on traditional market) and gov’t enticed ppl used that for stifling tax-evasion case of shop owners on a money-transaction, anyone seldom carries big money like in Japan or Italy where there are a lot of shops not accepting int’l Visa or Mastercards, which means pickpocketters can’t prosper. If there is a small, unlicensed street vendors, they know that rarely anyone has any money bills in their pocket, so usually signs up their bank account if they don’t have a card readers. Basically it’s not the environment sustainable for that profession. Think about it, if the cockroach(pickpocket or any small time crooks) should live, there should be any breadcrumbs to subsist(ppl carrying huge money bill often, so that they can think of doing the pickpocket as a daily job)
And you don’t need to worry about the syndicated-crimes, gang-involved crimes are rare unless you’re looking for something illegal(like prostitution, joint, any stuffs that you can easily imagine, plus you can get those much easier with cheaper prices in other Asian countries, why the hell you chose Korea for getting those from the first place?, I have no idea), since the dictatorship in 90s to get rid of them almost into smithereens. Pub brawl could happen, but also rare since Korean court interpreted a nonsensically limited scope to allow as a self-defense, so you don’t need to get worried to get mugged or punched just because you’re drunk in the middle of the night. There are pretty much lots of other white-collar mid-aged guys will gonna be your sleeping buddy on the streets vomiting and sleeping, you don’t need to get worried, I guarantee you.
Unlicensed taxi, never heard of such a thing, please tell me anyone if you’ll gonna see that one, I wanna know XDD… Just using Kakao taxi or Uber if you still wanted to be safer, although I never have experienced any overcharge even when I had not spoken Korean well(If you are sure that you got overcharged, call 02-120 and press 9 after the beep, English service gov’t call centre will take this matter seriously and effectively make that driver lost the license for good, I can assure that)… Any inconvenience you’ve experienced just even for a slight attitude of driver let alone overcharging, call that number above with the taxi’s plate number or the driver information that should be on the dashboard. That thing existed something like 90s, teehouse scam… People in here don’t even drink tea that much like in China, they go to cafe, I’m not so sure if there’s any teahouse other than few counting all over the city, only for that luxurious traditional culture courses organised the gov’t thing, rather there might be some attempt to lure you to go some Shaman place around Gangnam st., but you can easily ignored them, they don’t follow you to say twice, and nor does it target for foreigners mostly.
Rather you should be careful not to go into mountain without tracks or mark signs, or natural beachways(any nature that does not show on map as a tourist area) especially on the northern side of the countries, because there might be a remnant of blind mine bombs that has been washed away accidentally from the DMZ. Since everyone gets so used to this safest countries’ spiel, probably no one will gonna mention to you about this hidden danger, from my surmise of living here for long, is due to this reason: this is not the usual Anglosphere nations, who stipulated ‘a freedom to loam’ around the nature, every land probably has an owner and you can’t just go in nature and grab nuts or mushroom, so people would not expect you’ll gonna do that in any case. 2. That scenario that you’ll gonna be the victim of that except you’ll willingly forced your way into the true demarcated DMZ area, is equally slim, realistically speaking.
THERE'S NO PICKPOCKETS OR TEAHOUSE SCAMS IN KOREA
I never heard of them happening in korea…. Also I don’t understand why ‘natural disaster risk’ is high since there’s almost no earthquake or tsunami(very small even if there’s some). Korea is one of the safest countries in the world to visit.
PROS and CONS
The air pollution is probably the biggest issue compared to any earthquakes. Japan has many more earthquakes and tsunami risks. Rainy season can bring hurricanes to Jeju Island and the mainland though.
Although South Korea is a safe country, there are pockets of incidents that do happen in terms of petty crimes. Reddit korea can verify some of those claims.
Traffic and taxi issues have been reported by foreigners as well.
In general, you don’t want to linger around clubs and bars late at night as basic common sense.
Overall South Korea is a pretty safe country, esp the areas outside of Seoul like Jeju Island, Songdo, etc I spent most of my time on Jeju Island and recommend it the most for visitors
Korea is very safe
Korea is very safe. In fact, many tourists visit the place because of this reason. Seoul has also ranked as one of the safest cities in 2019.
Don’t go to any country near North Korea
North Korea has kidnapped tourists and citizens in South Korea not only that but South Korea gets nuclear struck by North Korea. Don’t go to any country near North Korea.