South Korea Travel Health & Safety

• Hand, foot and mouth disease
• Malaria
• Japanese encephalitis

In addition to being up-to-date on your regular vaccinations, like flu, polio, shingles, and measles, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has the following vaccination advice for travel to South Korea:

• COVID-19: Recommended
• Hepatitis A: Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one-year-old or older and infants ages 6-11 months
• Hepatitis B: Recommended for unvaccinated travelers ages 60 or older
• Japanese encephalitis: Recommended
• Malaria: Recommended
• Typhoid: Recommended
• Tick-borne encephalitis: Recommended

You should get any recommended or required vaccinations at least a month before your trip.

If you find yourself in need of medical treatment while you’re in South Korea, you’re in excellent hands. The country boasts one of the best healthcare systems in the world, with top-notch medical services and care, equipment, and facilities. South Korea also provides universal healthcare to citizens and foreign residents. As such, most South Koreans enjoy excellent states of physical health.

Healthcare options are widely available in major cities and urban areas, and you’re more likely to find English-speaking doctors and medical personnel in major cities. Access to high-quality healthcare is more difficult and spread out in rural areas.

Most hospitals and clinics are privately owned, and going to private facilities may be more costly. However, most procedures and medical services are more affordable and reasonably priced compared to US healthcare prices. Because of the high quality of care and reasonable rates, medical tourism is a growing sector of South Korean tourism.

If you’re having a medical emergency, call 112. This is the South Korean emergency number and connects you to emergency resources, like ambulances, police, and the fire department.

Although South Korea has high-quality and generally affordable healthcare, it’s always a good idea to get comprehensive travel insurance in case of a major medical emergency. Travel medical insurance can cover you from overseas medical costs and unexpected medical expenses.

Look for affordable coverage from companies like battleface, which allow you to purchase customizable travel insurance plans designed for your travel needs.

Tap water in South Korea is safe to drink and use for things like brushing your teeth, so you don’t need to rely on only bottled water.

Swimming is a popular summer pastime on South Korean beaches, and most places are safe for swimming. However, you should follow the rules of any posted signage and take safety precautions.

Traveling in rural parts of South Korea, especially in the Gangwon and Gyeonggi provinces and around the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea, mosquitoes have been known to transmit malaria. If you find yourself traveling in these areas, you’ll want to take steps to protect yourself. Carry and use mosquito repellent, and wear long sleeves and long pants. This also serves as protection against other insect-borne diseases, like Japanese encephalitis.

Due to industrialization, major cities like Seoul do have issues with poor air quality and air pollution. However, the biggest air-quality concern in South Korea is yellow dust pollution. Each spring, dust from the Mongolian deserts blows through the country, irritating throats and causing respiratory issues. If you’re planning on visiting South Korea during the spring, bring dust masks and try to stay indoors on days when the yellow dust count is high.

Before going out exploring each day, use AQI to see what the air quality in your area is like for that day. If the quality is bad, wear a mask and/or avoid being outdoors for long periods of time.

Sexual harassment, assault, and drink spiking have been known to happen in popular nightlife areas, like Itaewon and Hongdae, as well as at bars. Women can keep themselves safe by not accepting food or drinks from strangers, keeping belongings close, not leaving drinks or food unattended, and being aware of their surroundings when walking around.

In general, South Korea has a tolerant and even friendly attitude toward the LGBTQ+ community. However, as many aspects of South Korean society are still formal and conservative, it’s best to avoid calling attention to yourself. Keep PDAs to a minimum as well.

South Korea’s most famous incidents with civil unrest and war revolve around its uneasy relationship with its next-door neighbor on the Korean Peninsula, North Korea. After the Korean War, an armistice agreement was reached between the South Korean government and North Korea, but with no peace treaty signed. This led to an uneasy peace between the two countries, especially as North Korea has escalated nuclear testing efforts in recent years.

Although tensions between North and South Korea remain strained, travelers shouldn’t fear attacks, acts of retaliation, or any military action between the two during their travels.

Public demonstrations are a frequent occurrence in South Korea, especially in Seoul, near military installations, and at the US Embassy. For the most part, these demonstrations are nonviolent and peaceful, but escalations have occurred in the past, so it’s best to avoid taking part or being near demonstrations as they’re taking place.

In order to stay alert to demonstrations and potential civil unrest during your travels, you should check local announcements and monitor local media for up-to-date information. If strikes or riots do take place in the area you’re traveling, stay away from the affected areas and stay indoors. It’s also best to avoid demonstrations or protests, as South Korean authorities could misinterpret your presence as participation, potentially leading to arrest and legal issues.

Although South Korea has had issues with terrorist attacks in the past, there have been no recent incidents and it’s not an active concern. If you do find yourself in South Korea during a terrorist attack, take the following precautions:

• Stay informed of local news and events
• Avoid strikes, protests, demonstrations, and riots
• Stay indoors and safe during attacks
• Contact emergency services and your country’s embassy