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Visa requirements, security, medical & other essential information
The following information will give you the basic facts you need to know before starting out on your trip. Visa requirements, security concerns, local medical facilities and laws vary tremendously across the Asia Pacific region, so it is important that you know the facts for your destination and don't arrive without a visa or inadvertently break a local law! The information on this page is intended to give you an overview - please be sure to confirm entry requirements with your travel agent when purchasing your ticket.
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION:
The Republic of Korea (South Korea or ROK) is a highly developed, stable, democratic republic with powers shared between the president and the legislature. It has a modern economy, and tourist facilities are widely available. English is often not spoken outside the main tourist and business centers.
The Korea National Tourism Organization (KNTO) can be reached in the United States by calling 1-800-868-7567, and has a useful web site in English at http://www.tour2korea.com.
The KNTO also operates a telephone information service in the Republic of Korea, which can be reached by calling 1330 (02-1330 from mobile phones) anywhere in the country. The telephone service has English speakers and is available 24 hours every day throughout the year.
The Seoul Help Center (SHC) assists foreigners with an English speaking help line (02) 731-6802. The SHC is located in the Seoul City Hall and open from 9:30 – 12:30, 14:30 – 17:30.
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS:
A passport is required. Visitors may enter the Republic of Korea without a visa for a stay up to 30 days for tourism or transit to another country. When staying for more than 30 days or for any purpose other than tourism or transit, a visa must be obtained prior to entering Korea.
Generally, individuals staying in Korea for longer than 90 days must apply for an Alien Registration Card. Individuals who plan to stay longer than the period authorized must apply to Korean immigration for an extension in advance. Individuals who stay in Korea longer than the period authorized by Korean immigration are subject to fines and may be required to pay the fines before departing the country.
Changes of status from one type of visa to another (from tourism to teaching, for example) are normally not granted in the Republic of Korea but may be obtained at a Korean Embassy or Consulate after departing Korea.
Exit permits are not required to leave Korea. However, if a parent requests through the Korean Immigration Office that a travel restriction be placed on a child, the child is likely to be prevented from departing Korea.
SAFETY AND SECURITY:
The participation of Korean troops as part of the coalition in Iraq raises the potential for terrorist and violent actions against Korean and foreign facilities and personnel in Korea.
There are indications that al-Qaida continues to prepare to strike Western interests both domestically and overseas. Terrorist actions may include suicide operations, hijackings, bombings or kidnappings.
These may involve aviation and other transportation and maritime interests, and may include conventional weapons, such as explosive devices. Terrorists do not distinguish between official and civilian targets.
These may include facilities where foreigners congregate or visit, including residential areas, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, hotels, and public areas. Visitors in the Republic of Korea should review their own personal security practices, be alert to any unusual activity around their homes or businesses, and report any significant incidents to local police (tel: 112; from a cell phone: 02-112).
Several demonstrations occurred in 2004 and 2005 with participants protesting either for or against labor accords, the impeachment of the Korean President, the presence of U.S. military forces in Korea, the war in Iraq and the Republic of Korea’s decision to maintain troops in Iraq.
While political, labor, and student demonstrations and marches have on occasion become confrontational and/or violent, the majority of these demonstrations were not violent in nature. Nevertheless, visitors in the Republic of Korea can minimize personal risks to themselves and their property by exercising caution and avoiding areas in which demonstrations are being held, as well as by avoiding confrontation with protestors.
CRIME:
Although the crime rate in the Republic of Korea is low, there is a higher incidence of pick-pocketing, purse snatching, assaults, hotel room burglaries, burglaries of residences, and residential crime in major metropolitan areas, such as Seoul and Busan, than elsewhere in Korea.
Visitors are more likely to be targeted in known tourist areas, such as Itaewon and other large market areas. In March 2005, two foreigners were among a group of four persons assaulted by up to 15 persons, requiring hospitalization for their injuries.
In May 2005, a foreigner was murdered in a parking lot in the afternoon. Korean police are investigating both events. Incidents of rape have been reported in popular nightlife districts in Seoul.
Travelers should exercise caution when traveling alone at night and should use only legitimate taxis, such as black-colored cabs, or public transportation. Travelers may reduce the likelihood of encountering incidents of crime by exercising the same type of security precautions they would take when visiting any large city.
INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME:
The emergency number to reach the police anywhere in The Republic of Korea is 112 (02-112 from a cell phone). Foreigners who do not speak Korean can be connected to an English-speaking interpreter on a twenty-four-hour, seven-day-a-week basis.
The loss or theft abroad of a passport should be reported immediately to the local police and your Embassy. If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact your Embassy for assistance.
The Embassy staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, to contact family members or friends and to learn how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to provide a list of attorneys, if needed.
MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION:
Hospitals in Korea are generally well-equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic and therapeutic equipment. High quality general and specialty dental care is available in Seoul.
Western-style medical facilities are available in major urban areas of Seoul, Busan, Daegu, and a few other large cities. However, not all doctors and staff in these major urban areas are proficient in English. Most clinics in rural areas do not have an English-speaking doctor. Pharmacies are first-rate and most prescribed medications, except psychotropic medications, can be obtained with a prescription. Prescriptions are required to buy most medications.
Travelers taking any psychotropic or controlled medications should bring a sufficient supply as well as a copy of the prescription for Korean customs clearance at the airport.
Korean ambulances do not carry sophisticated medical equipment and the ambulance personnel do not have the same level of emergency medical training as in the United States. However, ambulances operated by the fire department (dial 119) will respond very quickly and take patients to the nearest hospital.
MEDICAL INSURANCE:
You are advised to consult with your medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether your policy applies overseas and if it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS:
Although the Republic of Korea’s roads are well paved, traffic lights function and most drivers comply with basic traffic laws, the Republic of Korea has a high traffic fatality rate.
Causes of accidents include excessive speed, frequent lane-changes, running of red lights, aggressive bus drivers, and weaving motorcyclists. Pedestrians should be aware that motorcycles are sometimes driven on the sidewalks and drivers of all types of vehicles do not always yield to pedestrians in marked pedestrian crosswalks. It is safer to use pedestrian underpasses and overpasses, where available.
Left-hand turns are generally prohibited except where a green arrow indicates otherwise. Drivers may turn right on a red light after coming to a complete stop. Seat belts are mandatory. Children riding in the front seat of vehicles must wear a seat belt or must use an appropriate child car seat. Passengers on motorcycles must wear protective helmets.
In all accidents involving an automobile and a pedestrian or motorcycle, the driver of the automobile, regardless of citizenship, is presumed to be at fault. Police investigations of traffic accidents usually involve long waits at police stations.
Police may request to hold the passport of a foreigner involved in a traffic accident if there is any personal injury or a dispute about the cause of the accident. Criminal charges and heavy penalties are common in accidents involving injury, even if negligence is not proven.
Persons arrested in accidents involving serious injury or death may be detained until the conclusion of the police investigation and legal process. Driving under the influence of alcohol is a serious offense. People driving in the Republic of Korea may wish to carry a disposable camera to document any traffic accidents, even minor ones.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT:
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of the Republic of Korea as being in compliance with ICAO international aviation safety standards for oversight of Korea’s air carrier operations.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES:
DUAL NATIONALITY:
The Government of the Republic of Korea does not recognize dual citizenship. An individual is a citizen of the Republic of Korea if his or her name appears on the Korean Family Census Register. The Korean Government requires persons with a claim to dual citizenship to choose or reject Korean nationality by December 31 of the year the individual turns 21 years old.
Under a new law that went into effect on May 26, 2005, men who have dual citizenship may be required to serve in the military before they can give up their Korean citizenship. Women are not required to serve in the military.
CUSTOMS REGULATIONS:
Persons traveling to/from Korea or transiting Korea to/from other countries should be aware that the Republic of Korea’s customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Korea of items such as firearms, ammunition, explosives, narcotics and prescription drugs, non-prescription health supplements, radio equipment, gold, as well as books, other printed material, videos or audio recordings that might be considered subversive to national security, obscene, or in any way harmful to the public interest and cultural property.
Further, the Republic of Korea has customs laws and regulations to prevent the spread of livestock diseases, such as the foot-and-mouth disease, avian influenza, etc.
The following products must be declared to Korean customs officials upon arrival: live animals, such as dog, cat, pet birds, etc.; animal products, such as antlers, bone, blood meal, etc.; beef, pork, mutton, chicken meat and processed meat products, such as sausages, ham, meat jerky, boiled meat, canned products, boiled eggs, etc.; processed dairy products, such as milk, cheese, butter, etc.; processed egg products, such as egg, egg white, egg powder, etc.
PASSPORT SEIZURES/EXIT BANS AND COMMERCIAL DISPUTES:
The Government of the Republic of Korea sometimes seizes the passports and blocks departure from Korea of foreigners involved in commercial disputes.
WORKING IN THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA:
Foreigners going to the Republic of Korea to teach, model or work for a company (part-time or full-time, paid or unpaid) must enter the ROK using the appropriate work visa. Changes of status from any other visa status to a work visa are not granted within the country.
Any foreigner who begins work without the appropriate visa is subject to arrest, costly fines, and deportation. Persons working without a valid work permit and who have a contractual dispute with their employers have little or no entitlement to legal recourse under Korean law.
TEACHING ENGLISH:
There are many complaints from foreigners who enter the Republic of Korea to teach English at private language schools ("hagwons"). The most frequent complaints are that the schools and/or employment agencies misrepresent salaries, working conditions, living arrangements and other benefits, including health insurance, even in the written contracts.
There have also been some complaints of physical assault, threats of arrest/deportation, and sexual harassment. Some employment agencies have been known to misrepresent contract terms, employment conditions or the need for an appropriate work visa.
Since Spring 2005, Korean police have investigated a number of foreign teachers for document fraud. Several foreigners have been arrested and charged with possession of fraudulent university diplomas which were used to obtain employment in Korea.
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS:
Legally, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) and the Republic of Korea remain in a state of war. Peace has been maintained on the Korean peninsula under an Armistice for more than 50 years.
Recently, political, economic, and social contacts between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea have increased significantly. However, the possibility of military hostilities that could necessitate the evacuation of U.S. citizens from the Republic of Korea cannot be excluded.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES:
While in a foreign country, a visitor is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those at home and may not afford the protections available to the individual at home. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than at home for similar offences.
Persons violating Korean laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in the Republic of Korea are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.
Foreigners in Korea have been arrested for past use of illegal drugs based on urine tests. Korean authorities have also arrested foreigners on drug charges by scanning suspicious packages sent through the mail system and by using information provided by other persons charged with drug possession or use. |
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