How Safe is it to Travel to South Korea? (along with Safe Travel Tips)

Of the many questions we get, the most common is “How Safe is it to Travel to South Korea?” Specifically for solo travelers, female travelers, and solo female travelers.

The simplest answer is that South Korea is a generally safe country. As a woman born and raised in the US, there is an immediate noticeable difference. It’s not uncommon to see a woman walking alone late at night or children walking home from academies after dark.

It’s one of the many reasons I have the opportunity to enjoy late-night runs. In the warmer seasons people often hang out in parks well into the early hours of the morning giving the city a warm and friendly vibe.

That doesn’t mean Korea is completely devoid of crime or danger. Korea is a real place with real people and not some sort of mythical utopia. So when travelers and content creators encourage people to walk down sketchy alleys alone at night, it really makes my blood boil. Asking people to put themselves in potentially risky or dangerous situations is incredibly irresponsible and shortsighted.

So, while crime is uncommon, there are a few things everyone should watch out for.

Stalking is Common

Reports of women being stalked or followed in public areas is a fairly common occurrence in Korea. It’s happened to me and most women I know. Just like anywhere else, if you feel you’re being followed you want to stay in a public space. Never head directly home or to the place you’re staying. Also do not confront or engage in conversation with these people. I recommend heading into a convenience store to wait them out. Convenience stores are open 24 hrs, are well lit and have CCTVs. Yes it is an inconvenience that usually doesn’t amount to anything serious, but it’s always better to be on the safe side.

Public Intoxication

One of Korea’s biggest draws is the nightlife. Seoul has an amazing and fun drinking and clubbing scene and if you’ve got the youthful energy to navigate those late night waters, it’s definitely worth partaking in. Of course, whenever alcohol is involved, precautions should always be taken. Never accept a drink you weren’t directly served, drinks do get spiked in Korea too. Also laws in Korea are really dicey whenever alcohol is involved, so I would never recommend going out alone. Surround yourself with people you trust and always have a sober friend in your group. The same precautions you practice in your home country should be the same precautions you practice here. Have fun, but be smart and stay safe.

Cults are Everywhere

Running into cults is a very real possibility if you’re visiting Korea. They often target young people and foreigners and will often start off with small talk or pretend to be lost and ask for directions (a Korean would never ask a foreigner for directions, FYI). Then they’ll try to get you to go to a second location for a “cultural experience” of some sort or offer “free Korean lessons,” usually in an attempt to extort money from you. They can be quite relentless but generally harmless. It’s important to just shut them down right away or better yet, just don’t interact with them at all.

Distracted and Intoxicated Drivers

In December of last year I was hit by a distracted driver while on my morning jog. The detective assigned to my case responded with “Oh, yeah. This kind of thing happens all the time.” I guess it shouldn’t have surprised me. The number of times I’ve seen drivers chatting on the phone or watching videos while driving is alarming to say the least. And although Korea has amazing an affordable transportation options (subway, bus, taxi, personal driver, etc.) people still insist on getting behind the wheel while intoxicated. In Korea it is usually preferred that the two parties resolve the “issue” amongst each other after filing a police report. It’s stressful to say the least so always use the sidewalk whenever available and be very careful when crossing the street even if there is a crosswalk.

On the whole, South Korea is one of the safest countries in the world. Theft and petty street crime are rare and while violent crime certainly exists, the vast majority of tourists aren’t likely to encounter it during their travels.

But still, make sure to practice the same safety precautions you would at home while you’re here and you’ll be more than fine.