Asia and Oceania

Terrorism

 

Crime

Although the crime rate in the Republic of Korea is low, there is a higher incidence of pick pocketing, purse snatching, assault, burglary (in hotel rooms and private residences), and other crime in major metropolitan areas, such as Seoul and Busan, than elsewhere in Korea. Exercise normal safety precautions and ensure valuables are secure. You should exercise normal safety precautions and ensure your valuables are secure, especially in known tourist areas, such as Itaewon and other large market areas.

Incidents of rape have been reported in popular nightlife districts of Seoul, as well as in private residences. You should exercise caution when travelling alone at night and you should use only legitimate taxis or public transportation. For more information see rape and sexual assault abroad.

For emergency assistance, call 112 for police (an interpretation service is available during working hours) and 119 for ambulance and fire. The Korean National Police operates a 24-hour, seven day a week Central Interpretation Centre where foreigners can report crimes (in Seoul Tel:  313-0842; elsewhere Tel:  +2-313 0842).

For more general information see victims of crime abroad.

Political situation

Republic of Korea country profile

Armistice Agreement

An Armistice Agreement has been in place since the end of the Korean War in 1953, but relations between South and North Korea are currently at a low point, following the election in 2007 of President Lee Myung-bak in South Korea. Regional tensions are currently heightened, following the UN Security Council’s condemnation of the attempted launch of a satellite in breach of UN Security Council Resolution 1718 by North Korea on 5 April 2009. In response, North Korea withdraw from the Six Party Talks aimed at denuclearising the Korean peninsula and threatened a further nuclear test (the first was carried out in October 2006) and ballistic missile tests. On 25 May 2009, North Korea announced that it had carried out an underground nuclear test. There are also reports of a short-range missile test. It has also carried out a number of short-range missile test-launches.

On 26 May, South Korea announced that it would join the US-led Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI), which aims to interdict vessels suspecting of carrying of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons and materials. North Korea has responded by repeating earlier threats that it would regard South Korean PSI membership as an act of aggression and would respond militarily to any attempt to intercept its ships. It has also said that it would no longer be bound by the 1953 Korean War Armistice Agreement, although it has said this before.

Demonstrations

Demonstrations are common in South Korea. Following the death of former President Roh Moo-hyun on 23 May 2009, and his funeral on 29 May, a number of demonstrations have occurred throughout South Korea. Some have turned violent. Most demonstrations, however, are peaceful and take place in the City Hall/Seoul Plaza/Cheonggyecheon Stream area of central Seoul. You should follow the advice of the local authorities and monitor local media for developments.

Local Travel

It is not possible for you to travel directly to North Korea from South Korea, unless making an official visit to the Kaesong Industrial Complex.