Seoul - Post Report Question and Answers
Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Honestly, crime rates are low there, but dating presents a challenge for women/gender and sexual minorities like it does in the US/other countries. Dating apps will have many looking for foreigners, so be wary. Living alone without your parents is a huge privilege and if you invite someone over and you "live alone" they may have certain expectations. Gender divisions are very political/prevalent for young people nowadays. There is also misogyny from older generations, too, that is only slowly dying out. - Jan 2026
Bad air pollution. Doctors have been striking for about a year. Hard to get appointments, even though the Med unit tries their best. - Jan 2025
Seoul is very safe. - Mar 2022
None. - Nov 2021
Nothing specific but check with RSO when you arrive. - Feb 2020
Not really...crime is very low but take normal precautions. Sexual crimes are under reported and I have had friends who were harrassed and it was not taken very seriously by the local authorities. Your risk of being a victim is low...but please educate yourself on the criminal justice system once you arrive. - Feb 2016
Not at all. I worry more on the military base than in the city! - Feb 2016
Just the usual concerns every now and again --- when North Korea decides to do testing. - Jul 2015
None. - Feb 2015
No, it is SO safe. A friend lost a wallet down along the river trail. It was returned with all cash and everything still in it! - Jan 2014
If you're an American, this is an extremely safe country. There are security cameras EVERYWHERE. Big brother is always watching, and the people in the country know this. I've walked through subways filled with homeless people sleeping and they keep to themselves. If you're the type of guy who enjoys the nightlife and likes to go out and party, it's always a good idea to exercise caution in the wee hours of the morning as it's still common to see people acting like a fool at 4am. - Sep 2013
Seoul is extremely safe. Women, children, and elderly people walk alone at night, in downtown areas. Itaewon has really cleaned up in the last several years-- don't believe any negative hype. Compared to New York, DC, or any other big American city, Seoul is very safe. Exercise the same caution that you would in any large urban area. - Jan 2011
None. It's a very safe place, no real crimes against persons. - Dec 2010
Other than one particular issue to the north, Seoul is perhaps the safest place that I've ever been in my life. There are petty crimes, but it is rare and isolated. There are poorer parts of town, but there are no safety correlations. - Sep 2009
None to speak of really. One of the safest places on earth. Some incidents due to excessive drinking. - Jul 2008
None really. The usual caveats apply regarding being out late at night at bars, etc.. - May 2008
