south korea travel unvaccinated

• KAYAK for Business NEW

South Korea Travel Restrictions

Traveler's COVID-19 vaccination status

Traveling from the United States to South Korea

Open for vaccinated visitors

COVID-19 testing

Not required

Not required for vaccinated visitors

Restaurants

Not required in public spaces and public transportation.

South Korea entry details and exceptions

Documents & additional resources, ready to travel, find flights to south korea, find stays in south korea, explore more countries on travel restrictions map, destinations you can travel to now, dominican republic, netherlands, philippines, puerto rico, switzerland, united arab emirates, united kingdom, know when to go.

Sign up for email alerts as countries begin to open - choose the destinations you're interested in so you're in the know.

Can I travel to South Korea from the United States?

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter South Korea.

Can I travel to South Korea if I am vaccinated?

Fully vaccinated visitors from the United States can enter South Korea without restrictions.

Can I travel to South Korea without being vaccinated?

Unvaccinated visitors from the United States can enter South Korea without restrictions.

Do I need a COVID test to enter South Korea?

Visitors from the United States are not required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test or antigen result upon entering South Korea.

Can I travel to South Korea without quarantine?

Travelers from the United States are not required to quarantine.

Do I need to wear a mask in South Korea?

Mask usage in South Korea is not required in public spaces and public transportation.

Are the restaurants and bars open in South Korea?

Restaurants in South Korea are open. Bars in South Korea are .

You are using an outdated browser. Upgrade your browser today or install Google Chrome Frame to better experience this site.

South Korea Traveler View

Travel health notices, vaccines and medicines, non-vaccine-preventable diseases, stay healthy and safe.

• Packing List

After Your Trip

There are no notices currently in effect for South Korea.

⇧ Top

Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least a month before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need. If you or your doctor need help finding a location that provides certain vaccines or medicines, visit the Find a Clinic page.

Routine vaccines

Recommendations.

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
• Flu (influenza)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Immunization schedules

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please see  Your COVID-19 Vaccination  for more information. 

COVID-19 vaccine

Hepatitis A

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to South Korea.

Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series.

Travelers allergic to a vaccine component or who are younger than 6 months should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on dosage given.

Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to depart to a risk area in less than 2 weeks should get the initial dose of vaccine and at the same appointment receive immune globulin.

Hepatitis A - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep A

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to South Korea. Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may get vaccinated before traveling to South Korea.

Hepatitis B - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep B

Japanese Encephalitis

Recommended for travelers who

• Are moving to an area with Japanese encephalitis to live
• Spend long periods of time, such as a month or more, in areas with Japanese encephalitis
• Frequently travel to areas with Japanese encephalitis

Consider vaccination for travelers

• Spending less than a month in areas with Japanese encephalitis but will be doing activities that increase risk of infection, such as visiting rural areas, hiking or camping, or staying in places without air conditioning, screens, or bed nets
• Going to areas with Japanese encephalitis who are uncertain of their activities or how long they will be there

Not recommended for travelers planning short-term travel to urban areas or travel to areas with no clear Japanese encephalitis season. 

Japanese encephalitis - CDC Yellow Book

Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine for US Children

CDC recommends that travelers going to certain areas of South Korea take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take.

Find  country-specific information  about malaria.

Malaria - CDC Yellow Book

Considerations when choosing a drug for malaria prophylaxis (CDC Yellow Book)

Malaria information for South Korea.

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.

All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according to  CDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel .

Measles (Rubeola) - CDC Yellow Book

South Korea is free of dog rabies. However, rabies may still be present in wildlife species, particularly bats. CDC recommends rabies vaccination before travel only for people working directly with wildlife. These people may include veterinarians, animal handlers, field biologists, or laboratory workers working with specimens from mammalian species.

Rabies - CDC Yellow Book

Tick-borne Encephalitis

Avoid bug bites

Learn more about tick-borne encephalitis at your destination .

Tick-borne Encephalitis - CDC Yellow Book

Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas.

Typhoid - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Typhoid

Yellow Fever

Required if traveling from a country with risk of YF virus transmission and ≥1 year of age. 1

Yellow Fever - CDC Yellow Book

Avoid contaminated water

Leptospirosis

How most people get sick (most common modes of transmission)

• Touching urine or other body fluids from an animal infected with leptospirosis
• Swimming or wading in urine-contaminated fresh water, or contact with urine-contaminated mud
• Drinking water or eating food contaminated with animal urine
• Avoid contaminated water and soil

Clinical Guidance

Airborne & droplet, avian/bird flu.

• Being around, touching, or working with infected poultry, such as visiting poultry farms or live-animal markets
• Avoid domestic and wild poultry
• Breathing in air or accidentally eating food contaminated with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents
• Bite from an infected rodent
• Less commonly, being around someone sick with hantavirus (only occurs with Andes virus)
• Avoid rodents and areas where they live
• Avoid sick people

Tuberculosis (TB)

• Breathe in TB bacteria that is in the air from an infected and contagious person coughing, speaking, or singing.

Learn actions you can take to stay healthy and safe on your trip. Vaccines cannot protect you from many diseases in South Korea, so your behaviors are important.

Eat and drink safely

Food and water standards around the world vary based on the destination. Standards may also differ within a country and risk may change depending on activity type (e.g., hiking versus business trip). You can learn more about safe food and drink choices when traveling by accessing the resources below.

• Choose Safe Food and Drinks When Traveling
• Water Treatment Options When Hiking, Camping or Traveling
• Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene | Healthy Water
• Avoid Contaminated Water During Travel

You can also visit the  Department of State Country Information Pages  for additional information about food and water safety.

Prevent bug bites

Although South Korea is an industrialized country, bug bites here can still spread diseases. Just as you would in the United States, try to avoid bug bites while spending time outside or in wooded areas.

What can I do to prevent bug bites?

• Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
• Use an appropriate insect repellent (see below).
• Consider using permethrin-treated clothing and gear if spending a lot of time outside. Do not use permethrin directly on skin.

What type of insect repellent should I use?

• FOR PROTECTION AGAINST TICKS AND MOSQUITOES: Use a repellent that contains 20% or more DEET for protection that lasts up to several hours.
• Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin)
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD)
• 2-undecanone
• Always use insect repellent as directed.

What should I do if I am bitten by bugs?

• Avoid scratching bug bites, and apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce the itching.
• Check your entire body for ticks after outdoor activity. Be sure to remove ticks properly.

What can I do to avoid bed bugs?

Although bed bugs do not carry disease, they are an annoyance. See our information page about avoiding bug bites for some easy tips to avoid them. For more information on bed bugs, see Bed Bugs .

For more detailed information on avoiding bug bites, see Avoid Bug Bites .

Stay safe outdoors

If your travel plans in South Korea include outdoor activities, take these steps to stay safe and healthy during your trip:

• Stay alert to changing weather conditions and adjust your plans if conditions become unsafe.
• Prepare for activities by wearing the right clothes and packing protective items, such as bug spray, sunscreen, and a basic first aid kit.
• Consider learning basic first aid and CPR before travel. Bring a travel health kit with items appropriate for your activities.
• If you are outside for many hours in the heat, eat salty snacks and drink water to stay hydrated and replace salt lost through sweating.
• Protect yourself from UV radiation : use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, wear protective clothing, and seek shade during the hottest time of day (10 a.m.–4 p.m.).
• Be especially careful during summer months and at high elevation. Because sunlight reflects off snow, sand, and water, sun exposure may be increased during activities like skiing, swimming, and sailing.
• Very cold temperatures can be dangerous. Dress in layers and cover heads, hands, and feet properly if you are visiting a cold location.

Stay safe around water

• Swim only in designated swimming areas. Obey lifeguards and warning flags on beaches.
• Do not dive into shallow water.
• Avoid swallowing water when swimming. Untreated water can carry germs that make you sick.
• Practice safe boating—follow all boating safety laws, do not drink alcohol if you are driving a boat, and always wear a life jacket.

Keep away from animals

Most animals avoid people, but they may attack if they feel threatened, are protecting their young or territory, or if they are injured or ill. Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies.

Follow these tips to protect yourself:

• Do not touch or feed any animals you do not know.
• Do not allow animals to lick open wounds, and do not get animal saliva in your eyes or mouth.
• Avoid rodents and their urine and feces.
• Traveling pets should be supervised closely and not allowed to come in contact with local animals.
• If you wake in a room with a bat, seek medical care immediately.  Bat bites may be hard to see.

All animals can pose a threat, but be extra careful around dogs, bats, monkeys, sea animals such as jellyfish, and snakes. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately:

• Wash the wound with soap and clean water.
• Go to a doctor right away.
• Tell your doctor about your injury when you get back to the United States.

Reduce your exposure to germs

Follow these tips to avoid getting sick or spreading illness to others while traveling:

• Wash your hands often, especially before eating.
• If soap and water aren’t available, clean hands with hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol).
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Try to avoid contact with people who are sick.
• If you are sick, stay home or in your hotel room, unless you need medical care.

Avoid sharing body fluids

Diseases can be spread through body fluids, such as saliva, blood, vomit, and semen.

Protect yourself:

• Use latex condoms correctly.
• Do not inject drugs.
• Limit alcohol consumption. People take more risks when intoxicated.
• Do not share needles or any devices that can break the skin. That includes needles for tattoos, piercings, and acupuncture.
• If you receive medical or dental care, make sure the equipment is disinfected or sanitized.

Know how to get medical care while traveling

Plan for how you will get health care during your trip, should the need arise:

• Carry a list of local doctors and hospitals at your destination.
• Review your health insurance plan to determine what medical services it would cover during your trip. Consider purchasing travel health and medical evacuation insurance for things your regular insurance will not cover.
• Carry a card that identifies, in the local language, your blood type, chronic conditions or serious allergies, and the generic names of any medicines you take.
• Bring copies of your prescriptions for medicine and for eye glasses and contact lenses.
• Some prescription drugs may be illegal in other countries. Call South Korea’s embassy to verify that all of your prescription(s) are legal to bring with you.
• Bring all the medicines (including over-the-counter medicines) you think you might need during your trip, including extra in case of travel delays. Ask your doctor to help you get prescriptions filled early if you need to.

Many foreign hospitals and clinics are accredited by the Joint Commission International. A list of accredited facilities is available at their website ( www.jointcommissioninternational.org ).

Malaria is a risk in some parts of South Korea. If you are going to a risk area, fill your malaria prescription before you leave, and take enough with you for the entire length of your trip. Follow your doctor’s instructions for taking the pills; some need to be started before you leave.

Select safe transportation

Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of healthy US citizens in foreign countries.

Be smart when you are traveling on foot.

• Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks.
• Pay attention to the traffic around you, especially in crowded areas.
• Remember, people on foot do not always have the right of way in other countries.

Riding/Driving

Choose a safe vehicle.

• Choose official taxis or public transportation, such as trains and buses.
• Make sure there are seatbelts.
• Avoid overcrowded, overloaded, top-heavy buses and minivans.
• Avoid riding on motorcycles or motorbikes, especially motorbike taxis. (Many crashes are caused by inexperienced motorbike drivers.)
• Choose newer vehicles—they may have more safety features, such as airbags, and be more reliable.
• Choose larger vehicles, which may provide more protection in crashes.

Think about the driver.

• Do not drive after drinking alcohol or ride with someone who has been drinking.
• Consider hiring a licensed, trained driver familiar with the area.
• Arrange payment before departing.

Follow basic safety tips.

• Wear a seatbelt at all times.
• Sit in the back seat of cars and taxis.
• When on motorbikes or bicycles, always wear a helmet. (Bring a helmet from home, if needed.)
• Do not use a cell phone or text while driving (illegal in many countries).
• Travel during daylight hours only, especially in rural areas.
• If you choose to drive a vehicle in South Korea, learn the local traffic laws and have the proper paperwork.
• Get any driving permits and insurance you may need. Get an International Driving Permit (IDP). Carry the IDP and a US-issued driver's license at all times.
• Check with your auto insurance policy's international coverage, and get more coverage if needed. Make sure you have liability insurance.
• Avoid using local, unscheduled aircraft.
• If possible, fly on larger planes (more than 30 seats); larger airplanes are more likely to have regular safety inspections.
• Try to schedule flights during daylight hours and in good weather.

Helpful Resources

Road Safety Overseas (Information from the US Department of State): Includes tips on driving in other countries, International Driving Permits, auto insurance, and other resources.

The Association for International Road Travel has country-specific Road Travel Reports available for most countries for a minimal fee.

Maintain personal security

Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home, and always stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

Before you leave

• Research your destination(s), including local laws, customs, and culture.
• Monitor travel advisories and alerts and read travel tips from the US Department of State.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) .
• Leave a copy of your itinerary, contact information, credit cards, and passport with someone at home.
• Pack as light as possible, and leave at home any item you could not replace.

While at your destination(s)

• Carry contact information for the nearest US embassy or consulate .
• Carry a photocopy of your passport and entry stamp; leave the actual passport securely in your hotel.
• Follow all local laws and social customs.
• Do not wear expensive clothing or jewelry.
• Always keep hotel doors locked, and store valuables in secure areas.
• If possible, choose hotel rooms between the 2nd and 6th floors.

Healthy Travel Packing List

Use the Healthy Travel Packing List for South Korea for a list of health-related items to consider packing for your trip. Talk to your doctor about which items are most important for you.

Why does CDC recommend packing these health-related items?

It’s best to be prepared to prevent and treat common illnesses and injuries. Some supplies and medicines may be difficult to find at your destination, may have different names, or may have different ingredients than what you normally use.

If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. If you need help finding a travel medicine specialist, see Find a Clinic . Be sure to tell your doctor about your travel, including where you went and what you did on your trip. Also tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling.

If your doctor prescribed antimalarial medicine for your trip, keep taking the rest of your pills after you return home. If you stop taking your medicine too soon, you could still get sick.

Malaria is always a serious disease and may be a deadly illness. If you become ill with a fever either while traveling in a malaria-risk area or after you return home (for up to 1 year), you should seek immediate medical attention and should tell the doctor about your travel history.

For more information on what to do if you are sick after your trip, see Getting Sick after Travel .

Map Disclaimer - The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on maps do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement are generally marked.

Other Destinations

If you need help finding travel information:

Message & data rates may apply. CDC Privacy Policy

File Formats Help:

• Adobe PDF file
• Microsoft PowerPoint file
• Microsoft Word file
• Microsoft Excel file
• Audio/Video file
• Apple Quicktime file
• RealPlayer file
• Zip Archive file

Exit Notification / Disclaimer Policy

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
• Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
• You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
• CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website.

실시간 주요 뉴스 PUSH 알림서비스를 구독할 수 있습니다.

korea joongAng daily

Home > why >.

[WHY] The unvaccinated in Korea and how they deal with the vaccine pass

Shoppers at a large-sized supermarket in Seoul on Sept. 23, 2021. The supermarkets and department stores larger than 3,000 square meters (32,300 square feet) nationwide have required vaccine passes since Jan. 10. After over 1,000 doctors and other professionals protested the system, a temporary halt, only at Seoul's large-sized supermarkets and department stores, has been in place since Friday. [NEWS1]

To keep up with Korea’s fast-changing industries, politics and arts, you need to know the who, what, when, where and ...

A customer flashes a QR code to prove his vaccination status upon entry to the Lotte Department Store’s main branch in Jung District, central Seoul, on Jan. 10, when the vaccine pass system was expanded to include large-sized department stores and supermarkets nationwide. The system has been halted across Seoul's large-sized department stores and supermarkets since Friday after a local court found the policy at risk of infringing on the unvaccinated people's rights to buy goods at some of the essential stores. [NEWS1]

People exercise at a gym in western Seoul on June 13, 2021. Gyms across the country were one of the first venues to require vaccine passes, starting last November. [YONHAP]

Customers dine at a restaurant in Yeouido, western Seoul, on Jan. 3. Starting Dec. 13, only those with vaccine passes are allowed to dine in groups. The unvaccinated can still dine alone. [LEE SU-MIN]

Related Stories

Fix the ‘vaccine pass’ system (KOR)

Court halts vaccine pass system at large supermarkets, department stores in Seoul

Civic groups, parents protest inclusion of adolescents in vaccine passes

[WORD_ON_THE_WEB] 'QR codes are kind of useless now'

Restrictions lead to birth of black market for vaccine passes

You might also like

To write comments, please log in to one of the accounts.

Standards Board Policy (0/250자)

• Special Focus
• Fighting the Pandemic

South Korea removes post-travel quarantines for unvaccinated

The country’s Covid-19 travel rules were lifted as of June 8, however, it is due to announce next week whether patients with active infections to are to continue to isolate for seven days.

The Korea Herald

View all posts by Kim Arin →

Starting Wednesday inbound travelers to South Korea do not have to quarantine. (Yonhap)

June 9, 2022

SEOUL – From Wednesday all arriving air travelers to South Korea do not need to quarantine even if they are not vaccinated. Also being lifted is the limit on the number of international flights using airports here.

Until the previous day, people who had not been completely vaccinated — meaning they were boosted or no longer than 180 days had elapsed since the completion of a primary series — had to quarantine for seven full days upon arrival, on top of pre-departure tests. The requirement that travelers, regardless of vaccination status, submit test results both before departure and after arrival still remains in place.

The removal of quarantine for travelers is part of the government COVID-19 headquarters’ post-omicron response plan announced in April under the previous administration. The government is due to announce next week whether to continue to require patients with active infections to isolate for seven days.

The unraveling of COVID-19-related restrictions comes as the tally of monkeypox cases continues to increase across the world. Monkeypox outbreaks have been reported in at least 27 countries where the virus is not endemic, according to the latest announcement from the World Health Organization.

Korea considers monkeypox an infectious disease under the second-highest level of public health hazard in its legal framework, a designation that came into effect Wednesday. This makes monkeypox the same hazard status as COVID-19, which was downgraded in April from being the most hazardous infectious disease for the past two years.

As with COVID-19, people with monkeypox in Korea are legally obliged to isolate, and report their infections to authorities.

While countries like Belgium and Germany have introduced quarantines over monkeypox in recent weeks, Korea says rolling back travel restrictions is not being considered at the moment, the Ministry of Health and Welfare said Wednesday. As the incubation period for monkeypox is longer than that for COVID-19, the quarantine will have to be longer. Reciprocity between countries was also an issue.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said Tuesday that efforts were underway to bring in third-generation smallpox vaccines into the country, which are reported to be about 85 percent effective at preventing monkeypox infections. The 35 million doses of smallpox vaccine in Korea, which are classified as second generation, are all from the same local brand, HK inno.N.

“The third-generation vaccines are associated with reduced risk of serious adverse reactions that were observed with the second-generation ones,” said Kwon Geun-yong, head of the national health protection agency’s vaccination planning committee.

• Burda Luxury
• Prestige Online
• Pin Prestige
• TRAVEL+LEISURE

South Korea drops mandatory quarantine for unvaccinated travellers from 8 June

Unvaccinated foreign travellers to South Korea will no longer have to undergo mandatory seven-day quarantine starting 8 June.

The decision was announced by South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo during a pandemic response meeting on 3 June.

Rules regarding tests to remain

“While there was a seven-day quarantine obligation for non-vaccinated foreign arrivals until now, such requirement will be eliminated from June 8 regardless of their vaccination status,” Prime Minister Han said.

Despite the quarantine ease, however, travellers coming to South Korea will still have to present a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test result before entry and take a PCR test within 72 hours of their arrival.

Restrictions on international flights to be lifted

The Prime Minister also said that aviation regulations imposed for international flights at Incheon International Airport will also be lifted from 8 June.

The decision means that flights will be able to operate in a timely manner once the aviation restrictions are lifted. The restrictions, in place since April 2020, have led to a lack of availability of tickets as well as a rise in prices, the Prime Minister noted.

While the number of arrival flights per hour was 40 before the pandemic, it currently stands at 20. The country’s transport ministry expects that the lifting of flight restrictions will help raise the arrival flights per hour number back to the pre-pandemic level.

Declining COVID-19 cases behind decision

The decision to relax restrictions was taken by a government taskforce in the light of a decline in coronavirus cases. The Prime Minister noted that the country’s COVID-19 situation had stabilised.

A total of 12,542 new cases were confirmed by authorities in South Korea a day before the announcement of the decision. It was the lowest figure announced on a Friday in 19 weeks, according to local media.

The government started closing down most of the makeshift COVID-19 testing stations in the country from 1 June.

Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) confirmed 5,022 new cases, including 17 from overseas, on 6 June. While it indicated a sharper decline in numbers, The Korea Herald  reported that there were fewer tests over the weekend.

Get the most updated news on South Korean tourism here .

( Main image: Ansel Huang/@battleoil/Unsplash; Featured image: Brady Bellini/@brady_bellini/Unsplash )

Manas Sen Gupta

Manas Sen Gupta writes at the intersection of tech, entertainment and history. His works have appeared in publications such as The Statesman, Myanmar Matters, Hindustan Times and News18/ETV. In his spare time, Manas loves studying interactive charts and topographic maps. When not doing either, he prefers reading detective fiction. Spring is his favourite season and he can happily eat a bowl of noodles any time of the day.

Yes, I agree to the Privacy Policy

Most Popular

Recommended for you

Shake Shack to open first outlet in Malaysia at TRX Exchange on 10 April

Stunning luxury resorts in Bali for the dreamiest tropical vacation

Singapore’s Siloso Beach makes it to ‘Top 100 Beaches of the World’ list

13 best cafes in TTDI KL that serve sumptuous all-day breakfasts

Follow our daily snapshots at @lifestyleasiasg

Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest updates.

You’re all set

Thank you for your subscription.

• Skip to main content
• Keyboard shortcuts for audio player

Coronavirus Updates

Officials tighten restrictions in seoul amid another wave of covid-19 infections.

Anthony Kuhn

A medical staffer wearing protective gear gestures after collecting a swab from a visitor to test for the coronavirus at a temporary testing station in Seoul in December 2020. South Korea on Friday announced it would raise restrictions in the capital region to the highest level as a fourth wave of infections is gaining speed. Jung Yeon-Je /AFP via Getty Images hide caption

A medical staffer wearing protective gear gestures after collecting a swab from a visitor to test for the coronavirus at a temporary testing station in Seoul in December 2020. South Korea on Friday announced it would raise restrictions in the capital region to the highest level as a fourth wave of infections is gaining speed.

SEOUL, South Korea — Despite early successes last year in controlling the pandemic, South Korea on Friday announced it would raise restrictions in the capital region to the highest level as a fourth wave of infections is gaining speed.

The country recorded 1,316 cases Friday, breaking records for a second straight day. That's not high by international standards, but health authorities say the peak of this fourth wave of infections is likely yet to come, and barring effective countermeasures, could see case numbers nearly double.

Driving the surge are residents of the greater Seoul region, accounting for four-fifths of cases, and people in their 20s and 30s, who made up 43% of confirmed cases on Thursday. Many of them frequent the capital's eateries and night spots, and most are unvaccinated.

But to some extent, the young consumers were just taking their cues from the government's muddled messaging, authorities say.

The government was trying to "strike a balance between recovery of everyday life and prevention of outbreaks," Sohn Young-rae, a spokesperson for the health ministry, told reporters on Wednesday.

In a bid to give the impression of normalcy, authorities planned to relax restrictions this month and encourage people to get vaccinated by allowing inoculated citizens to go mask-free outdoors, even as case numbers remained steady or edged upward.

The government tried to remind citizens to remain vigilant toward the virus, "but faced with the current outbreak," Sohn conceded, "we do have some regrets that these messages should have been delivered more effectively."

The current restrictions send a sterner message.

For the next two weeks in the capital region, gatherings after 6 p.m. of more than two people are banned, as are protests and rallies. Bars and nightclubs are to close. Attendance at weddings and funerals is limited to family members. Even private gatherings are discouraged.

Following instructions from President Moon Jae-in, the government is adding more COVID-19 testing stations and mobilizing soldiers, police and civil servants to help out with contact tracing.

Vaccinations in South Korea still lag behind other developed economies with only about 11% of the population fully vaccinated.

• South Korea

The Straits Times

• International
• Print Edition
• news with benefits
• SPH Rewards
• STClassifieds
• Berita Harian
• Hardwarezone
• Shin Min Daily News
• SRX Property
• Tamil Murasu
• The Business Times
• The New Paper
• Lianhe Zaobao
• Advertise with us

Vaccinated travel lane to South Korea: 10 things you need to know

Masks? Checked. Hand sanitizer? Checked. Vaccination certificate? Checked.

Singaporeans yearning to travel to South Korea on the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) can do so from Nov 15 when the bilateral agreement goes into effect.

Under the arrangement, those fully vaccinated can travel to either country without having to quarantine and will enjoy the same privileges granted to fully vaccinated citizens.

Travellers must be prepared to take at least four Covid-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests before flying out, in Korea, and when they land back in Singapore. The tests must be undertaken at a clinic or a registered provider and not self administered.

Here's a Q&A for those planning to visit the land of kimchi and K-pop, including advice from the South Korean embassy in Singapore, the Seoul Metropolitan government, as well as Singaporeans residing in South Korea.

1. Who is eligible to fly under the VTL to South Korea?

To qualify for VTL, you must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 with any vaccine in the World Health Organisation emergency-use list. You must have stayed in Singapore for the past 14 days, and your vaccination certificate (in English) must be issued by either Singapore or South Korea.

Unvaccinated children below the age of six (as at the date of arrival) will also be exempted from quarantine if they are accompanied by an eligible adult traveller.

Unvaccinated travellers can also board VTL flights but will be subject to 10 days quarantine upon entry. However, those who have recovered from Covid-19, even if fully vaccinated, are not eligible for the VTL.

2. What must you do before flying?

Within 72 hours of departure, you must take a Covid-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test and get a physical copy of a negative result.

You must also apply for visa-free entry via the Korea Electronic Travel Authorisation (K-ETA) website, at least 24 hours before your flight. It will cost 10,000 won (S$11.50) per person.

Travellers will also need to buy travel insurance with a minimum coverage of 30 million won for Covid-19 related medical expenses, and carry a hard copy of the insurance policy. You must also prepare an electronic vaccination certificate with a QR code. You can apply for it via Notarise.gov.sg, and print a hard copy as well.

You must also book a PCR test to be done when you land at Incheon Airport. Log on to Safe2gopass.com and carry a copy of the confirmed booking. The test will cost 174,000 won on weekdays and 180,000 won on weekends. You should also activate auto-roaming for your cellphone so you can make calls whenever necessary.

3. What should you expect when you check in at Changi Airport?

You will receive your air ticket as well as a VTL pass that comes with a lanyard which you are required to wear upon landing at Incheon Airport so immigration officials can recognise you immediately. You should also make sure you have all the paper documents indicated in question 2.

4. What should you expect when you land at Incheon Airport?

Upon landing, you will proceed to the quarantine section where you will submit your vaccine certificate, negative PCR test result and a health condition report (to be issued by your airline and filled on board the flight).

You will then move to the Immigration section to submit a travel record declaration form (also done during flight), get your passport stamped, and get your vaccination certificate QR code scanned for verification. After that, you will go to the Covid-19 test centre where you will submit your VTL pass with lanyard, take a PCR test, and install a quarantine app for self-monitoring of Covid-19 symptoms.

You will also receive a notice with instructions for business owners on how to check your vaccination status. Businesses use a COOV app to verify a traveller's vaccination credentials.

Finally, taking a taxi or personal transportation to your accommodation is recommended, although using public transportation is allowed. Stay at your accommodation until you receive a negative test result the next day, either via cellphone text message or e-mail.

After that, you will be able to roam freely. If you are staying more than eight days, you will be required to go for PCR testing again on the sixth or seventh day.

5. What happens if you test positive?

You will be moved to a designated medical facility for treatment and undergo epidemiological investigations. You will also be quarantined until you recover.

6. What are the main Covid-19 related rules to follow and are there any restrictions on business operations?

Mask wearing is mandatory wherever you go. If caught without a mask, you can be fined up to 100,000 won.

Restrictions on operating for all facilities have been lifted since Nov 1, except for a 12am curfew for night entertainment venues. However, high-risk facilities including clubs, karaoke rooms, gyms and saunas are only for fully-vaccinated people and you will need to show the notice you received at Incheon Airport to the staff. They will use the COOV app to scan your vaccination certificate QR code.

All facilities including malls, marts, restaurants, cafes and shops will need to record visitor entries for contact tracing purposes. You can do so by writing down your phone number on a visitor record sheet.

In the capital area (Seoul, the surrounding Gyeonggi province and Incheon), including in restaurants and cafes, people are allowed to gather in groups of up to 10. Vaccinated people are allowed to eat and drink in movie theatres too.

A Transport Ministry official told ST that there can be teething problems as not all businesses are aware of how to check the vaccination status of VTL travellers. "Restaurants in Myeongdong and Gangnam are aware of the VTL but small local restaurants may not be familiar with this," the official said. "There could be some trouble initially but it will all work out eventually."

7. What do Singaporeans living in Seoul advise?

Ms Chua Pei Chi, president of the Singapore Club Seoul, urged travellers to never remove their face masks in public areas and to refrain from talking loudly, especially on public transport. "Also comply with South Korea's gathering guidelines and do not be surprised if you get turned away by some restaurants, because they may not want to entertain big groups of foreigners," Ms Chua told ST.

"Don't expect a pre-Covid Korea, because everything has changed. Myeongdong is filled with empty shops and most of the street food stalls are not operating. But there are lots of Squid Game merchandise and sugar candies on sale."

Mr Justin Yong, who chairs the Singapore Chamber of Commerce in Korea, said travellers should learn some basic Korean to make communication with locals easier, and to dress warmly because temperatures are dropping as winter approaches.

8. What are some new travel attractions in Seoul city?

Travellers can "experience the beauty of Korean crafts such as embroidery, ceramics and traditional accessories" at the Seoul Museum of Craft Art, opened in July, according to a spokesman from Seoul Metropolitan Government.

Fans of the hit drama Squid Game can visit filming locations in north-eastern Ssangmun-dong, such as a convenience store where two main characters had a conversation, while fans of the Joseon-era zombie series Kingdom can visit royal palaces such as Changdeokgung to experience how it feels like to live in the last imperial dynasty (1392-1910) of South Korea.

9. What should you do if you develop Covid-19 related symptoms during your stay?

If you are in Seoul, you can get tested for free at any of the screening clinics in this list. You can also call the 24-hour Korea Travel Helpline at 1330 for assistance in English. You can also purchase an antigen rapid test kit from convenience stores and do a self-swab test.

10. What should you do before leaving South Korea?

Within 48 hours of your departure, you must take a PCR test at a medical institution recognised by Singapore's Ministry of Health and get a physical copy of a negative result. The list includes 179 hospitals, such as Samsung Medical Centre, Seoul National University Hospital and Soonchunhyang University Hospital, which are all located in Seoul. For details, log on to this page on the MOH website.

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

• South Korea
• Aviation/Aerospace sector
• Vaccinated Travel Lane/VTL
• Coronavirus

Read 3 articles and stand to win rewards

Spin the wheel now

• International

Israel wages war on Hamas

1947 - 2024

O.J. Simpson dead

December 1 Omicron coronavirus variant news

By Adam Renton, Brad Lendon , Sheena McKenzie, Ed Upright, Meg Wagner , Melissa Macaya and Melissa Mahtani , CNN

South Korea will require a 10-day quarantine for all incoming international travelers 

From CNN's Gawon Bae

South Korea will mandate a 10-day quarantine for all incoming international travelers, including Korean nationals. The requirement will go into effect Dec. 3 for two weeks, Korea Disease Control and Prevention (KDCA) said in a statement Wednesday.

The decision was made the same day five cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant were reported by the country, in travelers arriving from Nigeria. 

The mandate applies to travelers from all countries, regardless of their vaccination status, KDCA said.

Korean nationals and foreigners on a long-term stay can quarantine from home, while foreigners staying less than 90 days must quarantine at a government-designated facility. Quarantine exemptions will only be granted in a limited set of special circumstances, such as attending a funeral, the statement said. 

South Korea will also ban foreign nationals on short-term stays — less than 90 days — from Nigeria from entering the country starting Friday.

On Saturday, South Korea had banned foreign nationals on short-term stays from eight southern African countries: South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini, Malawi and Mozambique. Korean citizens and foreigners on long-term stay may still enter the country. 

Starting Saturday, South Korea will also suspend direct flights from Ethiopia for two weeks. The government will arrange non-scheduled flights for Korean nationals to return from African countries, KDCA added.

US Travel Association calls on Biden to revisit Omicron travel ban

From CNN's Matt Egan 

Roger Dow, CEO of the US Travel Association, is questioning the logic of President Biden’s travel restrictions imposed on South Africa and seven neighboring countries in the wake of the Omicron coronavirus variant.

“We want them to revisit this quickly,” Dow told CNN in a phone interview. “We need to follow the science – and a travel ban is not the most effective way.”

Dow, whose trade group represents all parts of the $1.5 trillion travel industry, said he met multiple times with the White House over the weekend and is very encouraged Biden signaled he’s not anticipating further restrictions.

“Even the WHO came out and said the data and science don’t support this,” he said. “We don’t want to see this go beyond South Africa.”

In a  statement  on Tuesday, the World Health Organization said “blanket travel banks will not prevent the international spread, and they place a heavy burden on lives and livelihoods.”

Dow, whose industry relies on a steady stream of foreign tourists, expressed confidence in the  existing health protocols  to come into the United States, including requirements that visitors are vaccinated and get tested for Covid-19 in advance.

Some background: On Monday, the  United States banned all travel  from South Africa and seven neighboring countries, with the exception of US citizens and legal permanent residents, who must test negative to enter the country.

Top  US officials are considering new restrictions, including requiring everyone who enters the country to be tested for Covid-19 the day before their flight and having all travelers – including US citizens and permanent residents – be tested again after returning home, regardless of vaccination status, CNN reported on Tuesday, citing sources familiar with the discussions.

Dow acknowledged the serious health challenge facing the United States, but suggested it shouldn’t overshadow other priorities. Direct travel employment fell by 34% last year amid the pandemic, according to the US Travel Association. 

“We’ve got a health crisis, no doubt about it. But we’ve got a jobs crisis, an economic crisis, a mental health crisis and a diplomatic crisis,” he said.

Dow argued having more foreign tourists would improve America’s standing in the world. “Getting people here, traveling back and forth, is good public diplomacy,” he said.

Cuba says it's developing vaccines to combat the Omicron variant

From CNN’s Patrick Oppmann in Havana 

Cuban scientists are working on vaccines to combat the Omicron variant, the island’s state-run media reported on Wednesday. 

"We closely followed the reports on the behavior of the new Omicron variant. We are already designing specific vaccines. If necessary, in a short time we will develop them,” Dr. Eduardo Martínez Díaz, president of the drug maker BioCubaFarma, said in a statement on Twitter.

Cuban pharmaceutical companies have already produced several vaccines scientists say are highly effective against earlier strains of the coronavirus. According to Cuba’s health ministry more than 80% of the island’s population is now fully vaccinated and coronavirus-related infections and deaths have plummeted in recent weeks.

Ireland reports first Omicron case

From CNN's Sarah Dean

Ireland has reported its first case of the Omicron coronavirus variant, a statement from the National Public Health Emergency Team said Wednesday. 

The statement said the case is linked to travel from one of the seven southern African countries that Ireland has imposed travel restrictions on.

“The NPHET Epidemiological Surveillance Team has been meeting regularly over the course of the last week to monitor the situation relating to the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 and, today, we are confirming that one case has been identified in Ireland," Dr. Tony Holohan, chief medical officer at the Department of Health, said in the statement.

Inside the lab where the Omicron variant was first detected

From CNN's Adrienne Vogt

At Lancet Laboratories in South Africa, scientists and pathologists first noticed an anomaly in positive PCR tests in early November, and it cropped up over and over again.

"It was a bit disturbing, because it made us worry that we were dealing with something new," Allison Glass, a pathologist at Lancet Labs, told CNN's David McKenzie.

They urgently notified South Africa's genomics team. Within days, details about the new Omicron coronavirus variant became known worldwide.

Scientists inside the Wits VIDA Research Unit in South Africa are trying to determine whether the variant is more transmissible or causes more severe disease.

Samples are being put in freezers in the hallways at the lab, and it is set to operate 24 hours a day, McKenzie reported.

Jeanine du Plessis, a medical scientist at the lab, said they are seeing a lot more positive cases in the past few weeks.

Since there is still so much unknown about the variant at the moment, she said "everyone feels a little bit of hopelessness."

The US is considering mandatory testing for all travelers coming into the country — including citizens

From CNN's Kaitlan Collins and Maegan Vazquez

Top US government officials are considering requiring everyone who enters the country to be tested for  Covid-19  the day before their flight and having all travelers — including US citizens and permanent residents — be tested again after returning home, regardless of vaccination status, sources familiar with the discussions have told CNN.

Officials were deliberating the potential changes Tuesday night and no final decisions have been made.

However, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed in a statement that the agency is working to revise testing requirements for travelers because of the new Omicron variant.

"A revised order would shorten the timeline for required testing for all international air travelers to one day before departure to the United States," a CDC spokesperson said in a statement. "This strengthens already robust protocols in place for international travel, including requirements for foreign travelers to be fully vaccinated."

Currently, vaccinated travelers are required to test three days before their departures. The move under consideration would shorten that timeline to one day.

A mandatory quarantine for US citizens returning home is not under consideration, according to a White House official.

"The administration continues to evaluate the appropriate measures to protect the American people from COVID-19, especially as we learn more about the Omicron variant, including considering more stringent testing requirements for international travel. Policy discussions are ongoing across the government and no final decisions have been made," a White House official told CNN.

You can read more on the possible changes here.

"Hope for the best, prepare for the worst," says EU leader

From CNN's Sharon Braithwaite in London

Europe is in a race against the clock to step up its vaccination and booster programs amid concerns over the Omicron variant hitting its shores, European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said during a news briefing Wednesday.

Von der Leyen said the bloc is facing a "severe double challenge." "On one hand, we are amidst the fourth wave," von der Leyen said. And on the other hand, "we are now facing a new threat, that is the new variant Omicron," she added. "At this point we do not know all about this variant. But we know enough to be concerned," she said, adding that "we know from our experience with the Delta variant, that it is a race against time."

Von der Leyen urged members states to "do everything possible to make the best out of the time we have until we have certainty about the characteristics of transmissibility and severity of Omicron."

"What is the bottom line? Hope for the best, prepare for the worst," she added.

The EU Commission put forward a coordinated EU approach on Wednesday to address the challenges from the resurgence of Covid-19 in many member states this fall.

Among the measures suggested, member states "should continue to implement a joint strategy to limit the entry of the Omicron variant into the EU, with regular, daily reviews of essential travel restrictions," the Commission said in a statement.

Omicron cases have been mild and in younger patients, South African doctor says

From CNN’s Naomi Thomas

Doctors in South Africa have so far observed that patients with the Omicron coronavirus variant are younger and have milder cases, and those who are hospitalized are largely unvaccinated.

“We’re seeing younger patients and we’re seeing milder cases of Omicron,” Dr. Mvuyisi Mzukwa, vice chair of the South African Medical Association, told CNN’s Brianna Keilar on New Day Wednesday. “Also, what we’ve noted is that the people that are being hospitalized are largely unvaccinated, about 90% of those are unvaccinated.” 

Mzukwa said that very few people are being admitted to the hospital and the South African health care system is not under pressure.

“Obviously, we’re still gathering information as to the spread of this Omicron in the country, but it is not what it is touted to be out there,” he said, noting that the South African government has not put the country under any further restrictions.  “There is nothing much that we see beyond what we have seen with the Delta variant,” he said. 

Asked about hospitalizations across the country, which have been seen as trending up over the last month, Mzukwa said that even in the province where the Omicron variant is concentrated, “we have not seen that much of hospitalization, all we see is that those patients that do get admitted are patients who are not vaccinated.”

A global accord on pandemic prevention and response is one step closer

The World Health Organization (WHO) has agreed to start negotiations that would pave the way for a global convention to "strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response," it said in a statement Wednesday.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the decision by the World Health Assembly was historic in nature, vital in its mission, and represented a once-in-a-generation opportunity to strengthen the global health architecture to protect and promote the wellbeing of all people.

"I welcome your commitment to an inclusive, transparent and efficient process, led by Member States and based on consensus," Tedros said, adding that the adoption of this decision is "cause for celebration, and cause for hope."

An intergovernmental negotiating body (INB) will draft and negotiate a WHO convention, agreement, or other international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, the statement added.

The INB will hold its first meeting by March next year. It will submit its outcome for consideration by the 77th World Health Assembly in 2024.

Please enable JavaScript for a better experience.

South Korea Is Removing Quarantine Requirements For Unvaccinated Travellers

Good news if you’re planning a trip to south korea soon..

That’s because unvaccinated foreign travellers to South Korea will no longer have to undergo the mandatory seven-day quarantine requirements from June 8 onwards. The decision was announced by South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo during a pandemic response meeting on June 3.

Rules regarding tests to remain

“While there was a seven-day quarantine obligation for non-vaccinated foreign arrivals until now, such requirement will be eliminated from June 8 regardless of their vaccination status,” Prime Minister Han said.

Travellers coming to South Korea will, however, have to present a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test result before entry and take a PCR test within 72 hours of their arrival.

Best Luxury Hotels In Seoul For An Indulgent South Korean Vacation

Restrictions on international flights to be lifted.

The Prime Minister also said that aviation regulations imposed for international flights at Incheon International Airport will also be lifted from June 8.

The decision means that flights will be able to operate in a timely manner once the aviation restrictions are lifted. The restrictions, in place since April 2020, have led to a lack of availability of tickets as well as a rise in prices, the Prime Minister noted.

While the number of arrival flights per hour was 40 before the pandemic, it currently stands at 20. The country’s transport ministry expects that the lifting of flight restrictions will help raise the arrival flights per hour number back to the pre-pandemic level.

Declining COVID-19 cases behind decision

The decision to relax restrictions was taken by a government taskforce in the light of a decline in coronavirus cases. The Prime Minister noted that the country’s COVID-19 situation had stabilised.

A total of 12,542 new cases were confirmed by authorities in South Kore a a day before the announcement of the decision. It was the lowest figure announced on a Friday in 19 weeks, according to local media.

The government started closing down most of the makeshift COVID-19 testing stations in the country from 1 June.

Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) confirmed 5,022 new cases, including 17 from overseas, on 6 June. While it indicated a sharper decline in numbers, The Korea Herald  reported that there were fewer tests over the weekend.

( Main image: Mathew Schwartz/ Unsplash; Featured image: Louis Nicolo Nimor/Unsplash )

This story first appeared on Lifestyle Asia Hong Kong

Manas Sen Gupta

Subscribe to the magazine

Most popular

These 10 Restaurants In Taman Paramount Serve The Most Delicious Food In Malaysia

Which Places Should You Visit In 2024 Based On Your Chinese Zodiac Sign?

18 Best Places To Visit In 2024: Italy, Japan, Norway And More

Where You Should Be Travelling To In 2024, According To Your Zodiac Sign

Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest updates.

You’re all set

Thank you for your subscription.

Situation in Haiti April 5, 2024

U.s. citizens in haiti, update january 10, 2024, information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

• Travel Advisories |
• Contact Us |
• MyTravelGov |

Find U.S. Embassies & Consulates

Travel.state.gov, congressional liaison, special issuance agency, u.s. passports, international travel, intercountry adoption, international parental child abduction, records and authentications, popular links, travel advisories, mytravelgov, stay connected, legal resources, legal information, info for u.s. law enforcement, replace or certify documents.

Before You Go

Learn About Your Destination

While Abroad

Emergencies

Share this page:

South Korea

Travel Advisory July 24, 2023

South korea - level 1: exercise normal precautions.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.

Exercise normal precautions in South Korea.

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to South Korea.

If you decide to travel to South Korea:

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.   
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .   
• Review the  Country Security Report  for South Korea.   
• Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel.   
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .    

Embassy Messages

View Alerts and Messages Archive

Quick Facts

Must be valid at time of entry

One page per stamp

No – From April 1, 2023, to December 31, 2024, the Korean Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) is not required for US citizens traveling for short-term business or tourism purposes.

Embassies and Consulates

U.s. embassy seoul.

188 Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03141, Korea Telephone: +(82) (2) 397-4114 (from within Korea, dial 02-397-4114)  DSN:721-4114 Fax: +(82) (2) 397-4101 Email:  [email protected]

U.S. Consulate in Busan

Lotte Gold Rose Building #612, Jungang-daero 993, Jin-gu Busan 47209, Korea Telephone: (+82) 51-863-0731 Email:  [email protected]

The Embassy and Consulate are closed on weekends and on  American and Korean holidays .  Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +82 (2) 397-4114.

Destination Description

Learn about the U.S. relationship to countries around the world.

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

• You must have a valid U.S. passport to enter Korea. From April 1, 2023, to December 31, 2024, the  Korean Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA)  is not required for US citizens for stays of 90 days or less that are for tourism or business purposes.
• Visa required for all other purposes, including employment, teaching English, and for stays longer than 90 days.

Exceeding your authorized stay or not possessing a valid visa may result in detention and fines.

• In the event of an overstay, apply for a visa extension from the  Korea Immigration Service (KIS)  before attempting to leave the country. Also consult with KIS regarding changes in visa category.

Military Personnel/DOD and their families on orders:

• Consult  DOD Foreign Clearance Guide , and follow all instructions.
• Enter Korea with DOD identification and travel orders.
• Do not transit other countries such as China without a passport and appropriate visas.
• Family Members/Dependents of Military Personnel/DOD on orders must present upon arrival passports valid for at least six months .

U.S. Government Executive Branch personnel on official business and DOD personnel assigned to the U.S. Embassy  (Including family members/dependents):

• Employes assigned to Mission Korea should enter Korea with a diplomatic or official passport and a diplomatic or official Korean visa obtained through their sponsoring agency.  Check with your sponsoring agency about other requirements. 
• TDY visitors traveling to Korea for up to 90 days on diplomatic or official passports do  not  require Korean visas and do  not  require a K-ETA. TDY visitors must obtain country clearance using  Department of State's eCC system  or  DOD APACS system .

HIV/AIDS Restriction:  The Department of State is unaware of any such entry restrictions for visitors or foreign residents in Korea.

• Visit the  Embassy of Korea  website for current visa information. Please read our  Customs Information page .

COVID-19 Requirements :

• There are no COVID-related entry requirements for U.S. citizens.
• Travel regulations and restrictions are subject to change, sometimes with little notice. You should review the information available on your nearest Korean Embassy or Consulate’s webpage before traveling.

Safety and Security

Public Demonstrations:  Demonstrations and rallies are common in South Korea, particularly near the U.S. Embassy, Seoul City Hall, and areas surrounding military installations. You should avoid areas where demonstrations are taking place and exercise caution in the vicinity of any large gatherings, protests, or rallies. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence.

North Korea (The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, DPRK):  An armistice agreement, monitored by the United Nations, has maintained general peace on the Korean peninsula since 1953. Tensions occasionally flare up because of provocative acts by North Korea, including ballistic missile and nuclear tests and limited armed incursions into ROK-held territory. Some provocations have escalated into geographically limited skirmishes. South Korea routinely conducts military training exercises and civil defense drills. North Korea often issues strongly-worded and threatening messages, frequently in connection with these exercises. Please see our  Fact Sheet on North Korea .

Weather-related Events:  Heavy rains and flooding may occur during the June - August monsoon season or the May - November typhoon season. See general information about natural disaster preparedness at the U.S.  Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)  website.

Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  ( STEP ):  To receive security messages by email and make it easier to locate you in an emergency, register in STEP. 

If the Embassy becomes aware of any specific and credible threat to the safety and security of U.S. citizens, we will inform you through our website, social media, and email.

Crime:  For most visitors, South Korea remains a very safe country. Common crimes occur more frequently in major metropolitan areas, tourist sites, and crowded markets.

• Take routine safety precautions.
• Pay attention to your surroundings.
• Report any concerns to local police.

Violent crime is not common; however, remain vigilant:

• Exercise caution in crowded entertainment, nightlife, and shopping districts.
• If traveling at night, consider traveling in groups.
• Use legitimate taxis or public transportation only.

Victims of Crime:  Call 112 for emergency assistance or to report a crime to local authorities. Call 02-397-4114 to contact the U.S. Embassy. We can:

• Help you find appropriate medical care;
• Assist you in reporting a crime to police;
• Contact relatives or friends on your behalf;
• Explain Korean judicial procedures in general terms;
• Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution;
• Help you find accommodations and flight arrangements to the United States;
• Replace a lost or stolen passport.

Sexual Assault:   The Embassy regularly receives reports of sexual assault from U.S. citizens. Most cases involved young women assaulted by acquaintances they met on social media, dating, or messaging apps. Alcohol is often involved, and Korea’s low overall crime can create a false sense of security.  Specialized hospital units and police are available in South Korea to assist victims, however services in English and responsiveness to the crime are not always consistent. In general, sex crimes are not punished as harshly in South Korea as in the United States and the road to prosecution is a challenging one for victims.

Domestic Violence:  Victim’s assistance resources or battered women’s shelters exist in Seoul and other urban areas but may be limited in rural areas. Most are government administered and require a police referral. Call 112 for emergency assistance or 1366 to reach Korea’s 24-hour domestic violence hotline. Victims may also contact the Embassy, tel. (+82) 2-397-4114.

Lost or Stolen Passports:  If your passport is stolen, file a report at the nearest police station.

Don't buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if widely available.  It is against South Korean law to purchase these goods and against U.S. law to bring them into the United States. The  Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Division in the U.S. Department of Justice  has more information.

Avoid fraud and scams:  See  Department of State  and  FBI  websites for more information.

Tourism:  The tourism industry is generally regulated and rules with regard to best practices and safety inspections are regularly enforced. Hazardous areas/activities are identified with appropriate signage and professional staff is typically on hand in support of organized activities. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is widely available throughout the country. Outside of a major metropolitan center, it may take more time for first responders and medical professionals to stabilize a patient and provide life-saving assistance. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance. See our webpage for more information on  insurance providers for overseas coverage .

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties:  While in Korea, you are subject to local laws. If you violate Korean laws, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Be aware that:

• Immigration violations can lead to arrest, fines, and deportation.
• There is little tolerance for illegal drugs.
• If you mail illegal drugs to/ from Korea, you will be prosecuted.
• Commercial disputes may lead to criminal charges being filed under local laws.

Be aware that some crimes are prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on  crimes against minors abroad  and the  Department of Justice  website.

Arrest Notification:  If you are arrested or detained, ask officials to notify the Embassy. See our  webpage  for further information.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

Dual Nationality and Military Conscription:  Dual national males (including U.S. service members) may be subject to compulsory military service. If you have family ties to South Korea, consult the nearest Korean Embassy or Consulate or the  Korean Military Manpower Administration  regarding potential citizenship obligations  before entering South Korea .

Passport Seizures and Exit Bans:  If you are involved in a criminal investigation or commercial dispute, authorities may seize your passport and/or block your departure. While we may reissue a passport, we cannot lift an exit ban.

Exit Permits:  Exit permits are not generally required. However, if a parent requests a travel restriction on his/her child, Korean authorities may prevent that child from departing even when traveling with the other parent. As of June 1, 2020, foreigners who are long-term residents of the ROK are required to obtain a re-entry permit four business days prior to departure from Korea. The permits are available online through an e-application at the  www.hikorea.go.kr  website.

International Child Abduction:  See our website for information related to the  prevention of international child abduction . 

Working in South Korea:  If working, including teaching or modeling, you must enter with the appropriate work visa. It is not possible to change your visa status without leaving the country. If you begin work without the appropriate visa, you may be arrested, fined, and/or deported. If you are working without a valid work permit and get into a contractual dispute with your employer, you have little legal recourse.

Students:  See our  Students Abroad  page and  FBI travel tips .

Women Travelers:  See our travel tips for  Women Travelers .

ROK National Security Law:  Authorities may detain, arrest, and imprison persons believed to have committed acts intended to endanger the “security of the state,” including statements deemed to praise the political system and/or officials of the DPRK. 

Customs Regulations: There is strict enforcement of regulations on importing and exporting items such as firearms, narcotics and prescription drugs, non-prescription health supplements, radio equipment, and gold. Importation of materials deemed to be obscene, subversive, or harmful to the public peace is also restricted.

• Amphetamines are illegal in Korea. Do not bring amphetamines or other prescription narcotics into the country without obtaining advance permission in writing from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. See the  U.S. Embassy Seoul, Health Information page .
• Traveling with Pets: See  Korea’s Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency  website.

See the  Korean Customs Regulations website for complete information.

LGBTI Travelers:  Consensual same-sex sexual activity is not criminalized. Korea is a conservative country in regards to LGBTI issues. However, there are an increasing number of LGBTI-oriented clubs, festivals and NGOs advocating for LGBTI issues. The ROK National Human Rights Commission Act prohibits discrimination against individuals because of their sexual orientation, but there are no laws specifying punishment for persons found to have discriminated on this basis. Same-sex marriages are not recognized. Korean citizens can legally change their gender identity.

See   our  LGBTI Travel Information  page and section 6 of the  Department of State's Human Rights report  for further details.

Mobility Issues:  Korean law mandates access to transportation, communication, and public buildings. Cross walks typically have audio and visual signals. Older buildings and streets are generally less accessible than modern ones. Metro cars and buses in Seoul offer priority seating for the disabled and most metro stations have elevators. Metro platforms include Korean Braille information. Contact individual bus companies and subway associations for specific information. Foreign residents are eligible for disability assistance from local ward offices; assistance varies by ward.

Quality of Care : Western-style medical facilities are available in most large cities. However, not all doctors and staff, are proficient in English. A  list of hospitals  and medical specialists who speak English is available on our website. For emergency ambulance service dial 119. Ambulance services are widely available. For information on medical evacuation from South Korea, please see the State Department’s brochure on  Air Ambulance/MedEvac/Medical Escort Providers . 

We do not pay medical bills.  Be aware that U.S. Medicare does not apply overseas. Verify your health insurance coverage before traveling overseas. See our webpage for information on  insurance providers for overseas coverage . In most cases, health care providers will require payment in advance of treatment or will not release a patient until hospital bills are paid. We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to include coverage for medical evacuation.

Medication:  Carry prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription. Most prescription medications, except psychotropic types, can be obtained at Korean pharmacies (brand names often differ). Local pharmacies will require a prescription from a Korean doctor.

Update  vaccinations  recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

For further health information go to:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  (CDC)

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety:  Roads are well-paved, traffic signals functional, and most drivers comply with basic traffic laws. South Korea has a significantly higher traffic fatality rate than the United States. Causes of accidents include excessive speed, frequent lane changes without signaling, running red lights, aggressive bus drivers, and weaving motorcyclists. It is recommended that you photo document any traffic accidents.

Be aware that motorcyclists may drive on sidewalks, and drivers do not always yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks.

Traffic Laws include:

• International driving permit (or ROK license) is required for all drivers.
• Left-hand turns prohibited except with green arrow.
• Seat belts and car seats are mandatory.
• Motorcycle passengers must wear helmets.
• Automobile drivers are presumed to have some fault in accidents involving pedestrians.
• Expect long waits at police stations while police investigate any incidents.
• Police may take your passport or detain you during an investigation.
• Even if negligence is not proven, criminal charges may be filed.
• Blood-alcohol content of 0.03% or higher is considered legally intoxicated.
• Police regularly set up DUI checkpoints. Drivers are required to submit to breathalyzer tests; refusal can result in cancellation of your license.

For information about driver's permits, vehicle inspection, road tax, and mandatory insurance, refer to our  Road Safety page . You may also visit the  Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) website.

AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT:  The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of the Republic of Korea's Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of the ROK's air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the  FAA's Safety Assessment Page .

Maritime Travel:  Mariners planning travel to South Korea should check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts at the U.S. Department of Transportation’s  Maritime Security Communications with Industry Web Portal . Information may also be posted to the  U.S. Coast Guard homeport website  and as a broadcast warning on the  National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency’s website .

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

South Korea was cited in the State Department’s 2022 Annual Report to Congress on International Child Abduction for demonstrating a pattern of non-compliance with respect to international parental child abduction. Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in  South Korea.  For additional IPCA-related information, please see the  International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act ( ICAPRA )  report.

Travel Advisory Levels

Assistance for u.s. citizens, south korea map, learn about your destination, enroll in step.

Subscribe to get up-to-date safety and security information and help us reach you in an emergency abroad.

Recommended Web Browsers: Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome.

Check passport expiration dates carefully for all travelers! Children’s passports are issued for 5 years, adult passports for 10 years.

Afghanistan

Antigua and Barbuda

Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba

Bosnia and Herzegovina

British Virgin Islands

Burkina Faso

Burma (Myanmar)

Cayman Islands

Central African Republic

Cote d Ivoire

Curaçao

Czech Republic

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Dominican Republic

El Salvador

Equatorial Guinea

Eswatini (Swaziland)

Falkland Islands

France (includes Monaco)

French Guiana

French Polynesia

French West Indies

Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Martin, and Saint Barthélemy (French West Indies)

Guinea-Bissau

Isle of Man

Israel, The West Bank and Gaza

Liechtenstein

Marshall Islands

Netherlands

New Caledonia

New Zealand

North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea)

Papua New Guinea

Philippines

Republic of North Macedonia

Republic of the Congo

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Lucia

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Sao Tome and Principe

Saudi Arabia

Sierra Leone

Sint Maarten

Solomon Islands

South Africa

South Sudan

Switzerland

The Bahamas

Timor-Leste

Trinidad and Tobago

Turkmenistan

Turks and Caicos Islands

United Arab Emirates

United Kingdom

Vatican City (Holy See)

External Link

You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State.

Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.

You are about to visit:

Cookies on GOV.UK

We use some essential cookies to make this website work.

We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.

We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

• Passports, travel and living abroad
• Travel abroad
• Foreign travel advice

South Korea

Entry requirements.

This advice reflects the UK government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK, for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in South Korea set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the South Korean Embassy in the UK .

COVID-19 rules

There are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering South Korea.

Passport validity requirements

If you are visiting as a tourist for up to 90 days, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ after the date you are leaving South Korea.

If you are entering South Korea on a long-term visa, your passport should have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Visa requirements

You do not need a visa to visit South Korea as a tourist for up to 90 days. You must have an onward or return ticket. It’s illegal to work on a tourist visa, whether as a teacher or in any other capacity.

If you are travelling for any purpose other than short-term business or tourism, check visa requirements with the South Korean Embassy in the UK .

For those in South Korea on a work visa, all employment changes must be authorised by Korean Immigration.

Re-entry permits for long-term visa holders

Most foreign nationals in South Korea on long-term visas are allowed to re-enter South Korea within one year of departure without the need for a re-entry permit. Check with the Korea Immigration Service .

If you are resident and intend to spend more than a year outside of South Korea, in most cases, you must apply for a multiple re-entry permit via the Hi Korea website before departure. If you require a re-entry permit, engage early with the immigration authorities and apply for a re-entry permit at least 4 working days ahead of any planned travel. 

Visas for working as an English teacher

To get a visa to teach English in South Korea, you must have a 3-year university degree. A Teaching English as a Foreign Language ( TEFL ) qualification alone is not enough. If you are found to have a teaching visa by deception, you will be detained and deported.

British nationals teaching English in South Korea have sometimes found living and working conditions to be below their expectation or have had difficulties getting the correct visas and residence permits. Some also report more serious problems such as breach of contract, confiscation of passport, payment being withheld and inadequate insurance.

Check all terms and conditions of your employment carefully. If possible, speak to other teachers from the place where you plan to work before accepting any offer. If you are in South Korea and in need of assistance, you should contact British Embassy in Seoul .

Vaccination requirements

At  least 8 weeks before your trip, check the vaccinations and certificates you need in TravelHealthPro’s South Korea guide .

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of South Korea . You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Related content

Is this page useful.

• Yes this page is useful
• No this page is not useful

Help us improve GOV.UK

Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.

To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. We’ll send you a link to a feedback form. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. Don’t worry we won’t send you spam or share your email address with anyone.

Travel Vaccines and Advice for South Korea

South Korea is a bustling country of history. The country boasts over 50 million people, beautiful mountain regions and even yellow dust winds from the Gobi Desert in the spring and autumn.

Its capital, Seoul, has five grand palaces which include museums, ponds, scenic overlooks, carved bridges and gates, and beautiful courtyards in their grounds. The country is a can’t miss for any world traveller.

Do I Need Vaccines for South Korea?

Yes, some vaccines are recommended or required for South Korea. The PHAC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for South Korea: COVID-19 , hepatitis A , hepatitis B , typhoid , Japanese encephalitis , rabies , meningitis , polio , measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) , Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) , chickenpox , shingles , pneumonia and influenza .

See the bullets below to learn more about some of these key immunizations:

• COVID-19 – Airborne – Recommended for all travellers
• Hepatitis A – Food & Water – Recommended for most travellers
• Hepatitis B – Blood & Body Fluids – Accelerated schedule available
• Typhoid – Food & Water – Shot lasts 2 years. Oral vaccine lasts 5 years, must be able to swallow pills. Oral doses must be kept in refrigerator.
• Japanese Encephalitis – Mosquito – Recommended depending on itinerary and activities. May be given to short- and extended-stay travellers, recurrent travellers and travel to rural areas. Present throughout country. Most cases from May to October.
• Rabies – Saliva of Infected Animals – Moderate risk country. Vaccine recommended for certain travellers based on destination, activities and length of stay.
• Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) – Various Vectors – Given to anyone unvaccinated and/or born after 1957. One time adult booster recommended.
• TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis) – Wounds & Airborne – Only one adult booster of pertussis required.
• Chickenpox – Direct Contact & Airborne – Given to those unvaccinated that did not have chickenpox.
• Shingles – Direct Contact – Vaccine can still be given if you have had shingles.
• Pneumonia – Airborne – Two vaccines given separately. All 65+ or immunocompromised should receive both.
• Influenza – Airborne – Vaccine components change annually.
• Meningitis – Airborne & Direct Contact – Given to anyone unvaccinated or at an increased risk, especially students.
• Polio – Food & Water – Considered a routine vaccination for most travel itineraries. Single adult booster recommended.

See the tables below for more information:

The PHAC also recommends travellers be up-to-date on all routine vaccines before any travel, including: measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) , Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) , chickenpox , polio and a flu shot .

Travellers’ diarrhea is a common issue among travellers. While some infections that cause the symptom can are vaccine-preventable, it can be hard to avoid. Be sure to bring a travellers’ diarrhea kit.

Visit our vaccinations page to learn more. Travel safely with Passport Health and schedule your appointment today by calling or book online now .

What Other Diseases are in South Korea?

As a developed country, South Korea does not have many diseases that cannot be prevented through vaccination. Be sure to consider the following before your next trip:

• Malaria – Antimalarial medication may be required for your trip. These pills do not protect against mosquito bites, but do prevent malaria. Talk to a Passport Health travel specialist to learn more and see if this option is right for you.
• Tick-borne Encephalitis – Spread through tick bites or unpasteurized dairy products, this disease can ruin a trip. Travellers doing outdoor activities are at higher risk of catching the virus. Take extra precautions from April to November. The peak number of reported cases in early and late summer.
• H5N1 Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) – Bird flu is a respiratory disease often spread by infected birds to humans. There have been no human cases of avian influenza reported in South Korea, but there is some risk in the region. The effect of the bird flu on humans can range from flu-like symptoms to death.

Do I Need a Visa to Travel to South Korea?

A Canadian citizen staying in South Korea for under 90 days does not need a visa for visitation, tourism, or business. If you are applying for an English teacher to Korea visa you must wait for the visa to be issued before travelling to the country. If you do not, the application will be considered nullified.

Sources: Embassy of South Korea and Canadian Travel and Tourism

Visit the Canadian Travel and Tourism website for more information on entry and exit requirements.

What is the Climate Like in South Korea?

South Korea’s climate is temperate with varying seasons. The country has long, cold winters, short hot summers, and short spring and autumn seasons.

Winters bring regular snowfall, with average temperatures around -6 degrees Celsius. Rainfall is common in the summer and temperatures tend to stay around 21-24 degrees. Spring and fall usually stay around 15 degrees.

The late summer brings the wet season, called “changma”, from July to August. Severe storms and flooding can occur during this time. Mosquitoes and other insects are more common as well. Typhoon season is from May to November.

While rain storms are not common in spring and fall, yellow dust winds are common. This dust originates from the Gobi Desert and hangs around in the air causing limited visibility for those caught in it. Protection from the dust is recommended.

How Safe is South Korea?

As a developed nation, South Korea is generally safe. But, there are some items to consider before going there.

Tensions with North Korea are usually high. Incidents have been known to occur along the DMZ. But, these are generally isolated to the region.

If you plan on driving in South Korea, be sure to research traffic laws. The traffic fatality rate is higher than some other countries. Drivers are automatically presumed to be at fault in accidents involving pedestrians.

Typhoon season is from May to November and monsoon season from June to August. While these rarely pose threats to travellers, it is good to be prepared.

Petty crime does occur in South Korea. When travelling, be sure to take normal precautions like not walking alone at night and keeping an eye on your surroundings.

Pirated and counterfeit goods may be available in South Korea. But, these items are not legal there or in the United States. It may seem normal to buy them if they are well circulated but purchasing or selling them is still illegal.

The Five Palaces of Seoul

If you want to get an impressive sense of South Korea and Seoul’s history and culture, checking out each of the five palaces. Three out of the five are larger and more well-known than the other two. But, each has its merits, and all share a distinct beauty.

• Gyeongbokgung – Built in 1395, Gyeongbokgung is the oldest and the largest palace. Visitors can enjoy changing of the guard ceremonies, visit ornamental gardens, museums, a lake and island overlook and more. Gyeongbokgung was once burnt down in 1592 and left in ruins for 300 years. It has been restored to much of its former glory through reconstruction. Its name means “Palace Greatly Blessed by Heaven”.
• Changdeokgung – Built in 1405, the it’s name translates to “Palace of Virtue”. This castle has been destroyed and repaired many times over its long history. It can only be seen through a guided tour. Changdeokgung has a grand entrance with a large gate followed by a stone bridge with carved guardian animals. Inside you will find a many buildings made for a variety of purposes. There are also pavilions, ponds, brooks and gardens. Special monthly Moonlight Tours are available from April to June.
• Changgyeonggung – Built in 1483, Changgyeonggung is the “Palace of Flourishing Gladness”. At one point the grounds were changed to be a zoo with a botanical garden. But, that was done under Japanese rule, and since then those elements have been removed. Changgyeonggung now features two ponds in the back and its original style. It is also a short walk away from Changdeokgung.
• Deoksugung – Though it is called the “Palace of Virtuous Longevity”, Deoksugung wasn’t a palace until 1592 after palaces were destroyed during Japanese invasion. Deoksugung has the most Western-style buildings including an art museum and forested gardens. Though it is three times smaller than it once was, its unique mix of architectural styles make it worth a visit.
• Gyeonghuigung – This palace is small in comparison to the others, but still worthwhile. It is the “Palace of Serene Harmony” and was built in 1623 as a “secondary palace”. The palace was actually leveled for a middle school during Japanese occupation. Gyeonghuigung contains the Seoul Museum of History making it a must-see.

What Should I Pack for South Korea?

Think ahead on what to pack by perusing these suggestions:

• Appropriate items for the weather – South Korea can be warm, wet, or very cold. Be sure to pack for the time of year and the activities you wish to do. Consider items such as sunscreen, dehumidifiers, and clothing that can easily be layered.
• Protection for more hazardous weather – South Korea has its wet/monsoon season (changma) from July to August, typhoon season from May to November, and yellow dust winds during the Spring and Autumn seasons. Many Koreans wear surgical masks or similar attire to protect their lungs from the potentially damaging yellow dust. Water-protective gear is good to consider during the heavy rain of the Summer.
• First aid kit/travellers’ diarrhea kit – It is always useful to have important first aid kit items while travelling, such as bandages and antibacterial wipes. the PHAC also advises to bring a travellers’ diarrhea kit to help deal with the effects of the illness should it be necessary.
• Bug repellent – With the possibility of malaria and tick-borne encephalitis it is especially important to ward against mosquitoes and ticks.
• Copies of your passport and travel documents – In case of lost luggage or theft, bring copies of important documents.
• Adapters for Electronics – South Korea uses a standard voltage of 220 V while 12V is used in America. Many of your electrical devices (hair dryers, chargers, etc) may not be compatible. Bringing adapters for these items is a must.

Canadian Embassy in South Korea

Canadian consular services can help travellers with many issues they may face including passport services. Once in South Korea, the information for the Canadian Embassy is:

Embassy of Canada to South Korea 21 Jeongdong-gil (Jeong-dong), Jung-gu, Seoul (04518), Republic of Korea Tel.: +82 2 3783 6000

Stay safe abroad with Passport Health. Call or book online now and start travelling safely today!

Customer Reviews

Passport health – travel vaccines for south korea.

On This Page: Do I Need Vaccines for South Korea? What Other Diseases are in South Korea? Do I Need a Visa to Travel to South Korea? What is the Climate Like in South Korea? How Safe is South Korea? The Five Palaces of Seoul What Should I Pack for South Korea? Canadian Embassy in South Korea

• PIPEDA Policy and Consent Form
• Privacy Policy
• Automatic Data Collection Statement

We’re sorry, this site is currently experiencing technical difficulties. Please try again in a few moments. Exception: request blocked

An official website of the United States government

The .gov means it’s official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

The site is secure. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

• Publications
• Account settings

Preview improvements coming to the PMC website in October 2024. Learn More or Try it out now .

• Advanced Search
• Journal List
• Elsevier - PMC COVID-19 Collection

Impact of national Covid-19 vaccination Campaign, South Korea

a Director of Epidemiologic Investigations, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju, South Korea

Young June Choe

b Department of Pediatrics, Korea University College of Medicine and Korea University Anam Hospital, Seoul, South Korea

Do Sang Lim

Hye roen lee, yoo-yeon kim, ryu kyung kim, eun jung jang, sangwon lee, eunjoo park, seung-jin kim, young-joon park, associated data.

We evaluate the overall effectiveness of the nationwide vaccination campaign using ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, BNT162b2, mRNA-1273, and Ad26.COV2.S vaccines in preventing Covid-19 in South Korea.

The National Surveillance System with the National Immunization Registry were linked to form a large-linked database for assessment. Age-adjusted incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection, severe disease, and death by vaccination status are calculated. Weekly vaccine effectiveness was calculated based on incidence rate ratio (IRR) between fully-vaccinated and unvaccinated persons, as: IRR = incidence rate of vaccinated / incidence rate of unvaccinated. We estimate the cumulative SARS-CoV-2 outcome overtime comparing the observed case with predicted cases without vaccination.

Age-adjusted incidence in unvaccinated persons (5.69 per 100,000 person-day) was 2.7 times the rate in fully vaccinated (2.13 per 100,000 person-day) persons, resulting effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 infection of 63%. Vaccine effectiveness against severe disease and death were 93% and 95%, respectively. Between March and October 2021, estimated Covid-19 related outcomes averted by vaccinations were: 46,508 infections, 3,424 severe diseases, and 718 deaths.

Conclusions

We found significant protection for national Covid-19 vaccination campaign against Covid-19 severe disease, and death in target populations, but there was an unexpected decreased protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection, highlighting the importance of continued surveillance and assessment.

1. Introduction

Since the emergence of severe acute respiratory disease syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) has caused 248 million cases with over 5 million deaths globally, as of November 2021 [1] . After widespread use of viral vector-based and mRNA-based Covid-19 vaccines, the incidence, hospitalization, and death due to SARS-CoV-2 decreased noticeably in many countries and regions; however, little is known about the vaccine effectiveness in Asian countries [2] .

Introduction of Covid-19 vaccines began in February 2021 in South Korea, with two viral vector-based vaccines (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 and Ad26.COV2.S) and two mRNA-based vaccines (BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273) adopted by the Korean national vaccination campaign. Working in conjunction with the national immunization technical advisory group, Korean government instituted a targeted vaccination program delivered through vaccination centers and primary care [3] . Vaccinations were initially offered to high risk persons in long-term care facilities and healthcare professionals, which were expanded to all persons aged 12 years and above, by October 2021 [4] .

Over the course of the pandemic, all reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) confirmed Covid-19 cases were reported to the government, while all Covid-19 vaccinations were registered to the national immunization registry [4] , [5] . By linking these two large databases, we aimed to evaluate the overall effectiveness of the national vaccination campaign among persons ≥ 18 years of age, in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection, severe disease case, and Covid-19 related death in South Korea.

2.1. Study population and design

In this study, we report the number of SARS-CoV-2 infections, Covid-19 severe disease cases, and Covid-19-related deaths; and estimate the cases averted via the direct effect of nationwide Covid-19 vaccination program, between March 13, 2021 (surveillance week 11) and October 2, 2021 (surveillance week 40), in all adults aged 18 years and older in Korea. The study assesses the incidence rates of SARS-CoV-2 infections and severe disease cases, and subsequent case fatality rates among all individuals who were vaccinated with at least one dose, with at least 14 days of follow-up.

2.2. PCR testing and vaccination program

In Korea, SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR testing had been widely available since the beginning of pandemic, which is mandated for close contacts of infected person, people with febrile or respiratory symptoms, or people coming from abroad [4] . All RT-PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections, severe diseases, and deaths are reported to the government on daily basis. In the case who wishes to be tested regardless of above criteria, non-PCR based testing can be done, which then are reflexed to RT-PCR testing, hence are notified to the government. From January 2020 to February 2021, a total of 89,902 RT-PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 cases were reported in Korea, out of 51 million residents [4] .

The nationwide Covid-19 vaccination program was launched on February 26, 2021. To date, four vaccines have been authorized by the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Administration: ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AstraZeneca), BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech), mRNA-1273 (Moderna), and Ad26.COV2.S (Janssen/Johnson & Johnson). Except for Ad26.COV2.S, all vaccines require a two-dose vaccination schedule at different time intervals.

Given the supply constrains with the vaccines in the earlier phase, the government had the complete control over the vaccine distribution in different target groups. Vaccines were administered in vaccination centers or outpatient clinics with no out-of-pocket costs. Initially in the February, the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccination was offered to the residents and workers at long-term care facilities (LTCFs), and the BNT162b2 to the healthcare professionals (HCPs) at Covid-19 designated hospitals (Supplementary Table 1 ). By June and July, Ad26.COV2.S and mRNA-1273 vaccines were introduced to different target population. Between the surveillance weeks 11 and 40, the vaccination coverage rate has increased in a stepwise manner, largely due to intermittent supply constraints of the vaccines ( Supplementary Fig. 1 ).

Number of SARS-CoV-2 Cases among Persons Aged ≥18 Years, by Selected Characteristics and Vaccination Status, South Korea, February - September, 2021

*Persons were considered fully vaccinated ≥14 days after receipt of the second dose in a 2-dose series (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, BNT162b2, or mRNA-1273 vaccines) or after 1 dose of the single-dose Ad26.COV2.S vaccine; partially vaccinated ≥14 days after receipt of the first dose and <14 days after the second dose in a 2-dose series; and unvaccinated <14 days receipt of the first dose of a 2-dose series or 1 dose of the single-dose vaccine.

** Severe Disease: COVID-19 patients treated with high flow oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilator, ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation), CRRT (Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy) within 28 days of laboratory confirmation.

*** Death: COVID-19 patients who died within 28 days of laboratory confirmation.

2.3. Data source

We linked the Covid-19 National Surveillance System with the National Immunization Registry to form a large-linked database (LLDB), comprising 172,049 PCR-confirmed Covid-19 cases and 53,253,662 person’s immunization registry data ( Supplementary Fig. 2 ). Of those, 9,139,041 children, adolescents, and foreigners, 41,951 overseas vaccinated people, 459 persons with missing data, and 89,107 people with prior infection were excluded. Among 43,983,105 eligible individuals, we had 8,558,970 unvaccinated people (19.5%), 8,600,605 ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 fully vaccinated people (19.6%), 9,284,531 BNT162b2 fully vaccinated people (21.1%), 994,567 mRNA-1273 fully vaccinated people (2.3%), 1,243,614 Ad26.COV2.S fully vaccinated people (2.8%), and 1,572,671 persons who were primed with ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 and boosted with BNT162b2 (3.6%).

2.4. Case definition

A case with Covid-19 severe disease is defined as a Covid-19 patient treated with high flow oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilator, ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation), CRRT (continuous renal replacement therapy) within 28 days of RT-PCR confirmation. The Covid-19-related death is defined as Covid-19 patients who died within 28 days of RT-PCR confirmation.

Vaccination status was defined at the time of their SARS-CoV-2 laboratory confirmation ( Supplementary Figure 3 ): A) unvaccinated, measured from zero doses to 0–13 days after the first dose of Covid-19 vaccines; B) partially vaccinated, measured from 14 days after the first dose through 13 days after the second dose; C) fully vaccinated, measured 14 days after the second dose (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, BNT162b2, or mRNA-1273 vaccines) or after one dose of the single-dose Ad26.COV2.S vaccine.

2.5. Analysis

We first compare the type of vaccine, age group, sex, health outcome (severe disease, death) for fully vaccinated, partially vaccinated, and unvaccinated persons. Age-adjusted incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection, severe disease, and death by vaccination status are calculated. The rates were stratified by vaccination status and were calculated as ratio between the number of events and total observation period per 100,000 person-time in days. Weekly vaccine effectiveness was calculated based on incidence rate ratio (IRR) between fully-vaccinated and unvaccinated persons, as: IRR = incidence rate of vaccinated / incidence rate of unvaccinated.

We then estimate the cumulative SARS-CoV-2 outcome overtime comparing the crude number of cases with predicted cases without vaccination. To estimate the weekly number of averted cases, we used the following formula: cases averted = weekly number of observed persons*vaccine coverage rate*(expected number of cases in unvaccinated - observed number of cases in vaccinated); using direct standardization to adjust for difference in population structure between vaccinated and unvaccinated persons. Daily, age-adjusted incidence rates were calculated for vaccinated (fully + partially) persons and unvaccinated persons for three health outcomes. The person-days for vaccinated individuals for each day was estimated by multiplying the proportion of people who were at least partly vaccinated by population. The person-days for unvaccinated individuals for each day was determined by subtracting the number of person-days contributed by vaccinated persons from the total census population.

This study was conducted as a legally mandated public health investigation under the authority of the Korean Infectious Diseases Control and Prevention Act (No. 12,444 and No. 13392) and was not a research that was subject to institutional review board approval; therefore, written informed consent was not required.

The number of vaccinations has increased from 20,878 (0.3% of target population) in week 11 to 35,424,135 doses by week 40, 2021. During the same period, 172,049 cases of SARS-CoV-2 infections among residents aged ≥ 18 years were reported nationally, including 13,479 (7.3%) in fully vaccinated persons, 21,414 (12.4%) in partially vaccinated persons, and 137,156 (79.7%) in unvaccinated persons ( Table 1 ). The largest percentage of cases were among adults aged 60–69 years in fully vaccinated persons (24.7%) and partially vaccinated persons (31.2%); while among unvaccinated persons, 18–29 years comprised the largest percentage (28.5%). Among fully vaccinated persons, median age was higher (57 years) compared to partially vaccinated (44 years) and unvaccinated (37 years) persons ( P  < 0.001). Among fully vaccinated persons, 42.4% had received ChAdOx1 nCoV-1 vaccine, 29.6% had received BNT162b2 vaccine, and 21.8% received Ad26.COV2.S vaccine ( Table 1 ). Lower percentage of fully vaccinated persons had severe disease (1.5%) compared to partially vaccinated persons (1.9%) and unvaccinated persons (2.4%) ( P  < 0.001). Supplementary Table 2 shows baseline characteristics of study population.

Among all Korea residents, the age-adjusted incidence increased among unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, and fully vaccinated persons, with the highest rates among unvaccinated persons after week 28 ( Fig. 1 A). By week 40, in unvaccinated persons, the age-adjusted incidence (5.69 per 100,000 person-day) was 1.9 times the rate in partially vaccinated (3.05 per 100,000 person-day) and 2.7 times the rate in fully vaccinated (2.13 per 100,000 person-day) persons, resulting vaccine effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 infection of 63%. The age-adjusted incidence for severe disease and case fatality rate for partially and fully vaccinated persons remained relatively low compared to the rate for unvaccinated persons ( Fig. 1 B and 1C). By week 40, the age-adjusted incidence for severe disease in unvaccinated persons (0.16 per 100,000 person-day) was 8–16 times that in partially vaccinated and fully vaccinated persons (0.02 per 100,000 person-day and 0.01 per 100,000 person-day, respectively), resulting vaccine effectiveness of 93%. The age-adjusted case fatality rate in unvaccinated persons (0.04 per 100,000 person-day) was higher than the rate in partially vaccinated persons (none) and fully vaccinated persons (0.002 per 100,000 person-day), which result in vaccine effectiveness of 95%.

Weekly Trend in Age-Adjusted Incidence of SARS-CoV-2 Infection, Severe Disease, and Death, by Vaccination Status, South Korea, February - September 2021.

Fig. 2 shows a nationwide weekly time series of the actual number of cumulative Covid-19 A) infection, B) severe disease, and C) death and predicted number of cumulative numbers that would have occurred in the absence of vaccinations. Between the surveillance weeks 11 and 40, estimated number of Covid-19 related outcomes averted by vaccinations were 46,508 infections, 3,424 severe diseases, and 718 deaths.

Cumulative SARS-CoV-2 Outcome Overtime Comparing Observed Cases with Nationwide Vaccination and Predicted Cases without Vaccination by Outcome, South Korea, February - September 2021.

4. Discussion

In this national cohort study, we estimated the effectiveness of Covid-19 vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 infection in almost 170,000 people aged 18 years and greater in South Korea. Among the target group, the vaccine effectiveness against severe disease and death from SARS-CoV-2 infection of 93%, and 95%, respectively. In Israel, BNT162b2 was highly effective in preventing symptomatic (97.0%) and asymptomatic (91.5%) SARS-CoV-2 infections and COVID-19-related hospitalizations (97.5%), severe disease (97.5%), and (96.7%) death [6] . These figures may differ by vaccines and target population. From the U.S. Veterans Health Administration, vaccine effectiveness against death for age 65 years was 73.0% for Ad26.COV2.S, 81.5% for mRNA-1273, and 84.3% for BNT162b2; vaccine effectiveness against death for age ≥ 65 years was 52.2% for Ad26.COV2.S, 75.5% for mRNA-1273, and 70.1% for BNT162b2 [7] . However, our results are consistent with overall vaccine estimates against SARS-CoV-2-related severe disease or death previously reported by other countries. A retrospective cohort study using a large integrated health database in the United States showed a 93% (95% CI 84–96) effectiveness of BNT162b2 against hospital admissions [8] . A cohort study from Scotland showed vaccine effectiveness against death from SARS-CoV-2 was 90% (95% CI, 83 to 94) for BNT162b2 and 91% (95% CI, 86 to 94) for ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 [9] . In Qatar, a matched test-negative case-control study showed an effectiveness against severe, critical or fatal Covid-19 of 93.4% (95% CI, 85.4–97.0%) for BNT162b2 and 96.1% (95% CI, 71.6–99.5%) for mRNA-1273 vaccines [10] .

Our findings suggest a high vaccine effectiveness for preventing serious disease and death from target population, however, as in studies from other countries, the vaccines may have reduced effectiveness in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infections. We report an unanticipated finding of decreased vaccine effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 infection since surveillance week 24–26 (or June of 2021). The findings were corroborated by other observational studies in the U.K., reporting reduced effectiveness of Covid-19 vaccine against delta variant, compared with other variants. A test-negative case–control showed that the effectiveness of BNT162b2 was 93.7% (95% CI, 91.6 to 95.3) among persons with the alpha variant and 88.0% (95% CI, 85.3 to 90.1) among those with the delta variant [11] . Another U.K. study showed the reduced effectiveness of 10–13% for BNT162b2 and 16% for ChAdOx1 in preventing delta-related infections compared to alpha variant [12] . Since June 2021, the delta variant has emerged as the predominant strain in Korea, which may have affected the effectiveness in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection, as shown in our study [4] , [13] . The reduced effectiveness over time may be affected by waning immunity, or the secondary vaccine failure. In all age groups in Israel, immunity against delta variant waned in a few months after receipt of the second dose of vaccine [14] . A matched test-negative case-control study from Qatar showed that the variant-specific effectiveness waned in the same for BNT162b2, however, the protection against hospitalization and death persisted for 6 months [15] . A study from Israel reported a significantly lower incidence of booster-dose recipients compared with non-booster dose recipients, where delta variant was the predominant virus [16] . Since there has been emergence of delta variant affecting vaccine effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 infection, these results may lead to public need for the booster doses in Korea [17] .

Despite the reduced effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 infection over time, our results suggest residual protection against severe disease and death in target population if they had been fully vaccinated. Our study demonstrates that the national vaccination campaign was instrumental to reducing the Covid-19 related severe disease and death. As postulated by previous modelling study, high vaccination coverage in conjunction with continued nonpharmaceutical intervention may be crucial in mitigating from Covid-19 [18] . As the new variants may emerge among unvaccinated individuals, our findings underscore the public health need to accelerate vaccination coverage and close the vaccination coverage gaps.

Our study has number of limitations. First, this is an observation study, in which neither vaccination or Covid-19 testing were made at random. It is plausible that the vaccination status may have affected chances of getting tested. Second, the difference in relevant characteristics between vaccinated and unvaccinated population were not controlled beyond sex and age group. Given the limited clinical and demographic data obtained through nationally-collected surveillance system, it was challenging to emulate the target trial to estimate vaccine effectiveness.

Despite these limitations, our study included accurate immunization registry of 53 million people and more than 170,000 RT-PCR confirmed Covid-19 case, which allowed us to present a real-world data from a large scale. Prior to this study, there were limited opportunities to directly evaluate the public vaccination program against SARS-CoV-2 in a national scale. We have presented a weekly estimation of incidence rates over time to avoid overestimation of vaccine effectiveness. The data shows dose–response to the vaccination in terms of number of doses and window period on effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 infection, severe disease, and death. Given the presence of validated, real-time, internet-based immunization registry, the completeness is high because all the supply and reimbursement process was controlled by the government. Lastly, the use of complete national database may overcome the selection bias that can be introduced by non-random missing data.

In summary, we found significant protection for national Covid-19 vaccination campaign against SARS-CoV-2 severe disease, and death in target populations, but there was an unexpected finding of decreased protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection. This highlights the importance of continued surveillance of the effectiveness of Covid-19 vaccines. With a potential for waning immunity and vaccine escape by new variant, prevention of severe disease and death through increased vaccine uptake and booster doses in vulnerable population, along with other preventive measures, will be important in mitigating Covid-19 pandemic.

Declaration of Competing Interest

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Acknowledgement

We would like to thank the COVID-19 Vaccination Task Force and Division of National Immunization, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency for their dedication to provide public health services in mitigating COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, we are grateful to the staff at the local health departments for their dedication.

Disclaimers

The opinions expressed by authors contributing to this journal do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency or the institutions with which the authors are affiliated.

Appendix A Supplementary data to this article can be found online at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.05.002 .

Appendix A. Supplementary data

The following are the Supplementary data to this article:

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

As Doctors’ Walkout Drags On, Some South Koreans Are Losing Patience

Thousands of interns and residents who stopped working in February are testing the public’s high regard for physicians. But there is also anger at the government.

By Jin Yu Young

Reporting from Seoul

Six weeks after thousands of residents and interns at South Korean hospitals walked off the job , frustration is rising.

Patients have filed more than 2,000 complaints about surgeries and other treatments being postponed, canceled or refused, according to the national health ministry. Hospitals have closed wards and restructured staff. Nurses have taken on duties usually performed by physicians, and military doctors have been deployed to public health centers.

Much of the anger over the disruptions is aimed at President Yoon Suk Yeol, who has not backed down from his proposal to dramatically expand medical school admissions to address a shortage of physicians. The young doctors who walked out in February to protest that plan say it wouldn’t solve the health care system’s problems.

But many people are also exasperated with the doctors, despite the exalted position that physicians hold in South Korea’s hierarchical society. Critics accuse them of trying to protect their elite status, and their income, by keeping the number of doctors low.

“Doctors are one of the richest and most powerful groups in Korea,” said Lee Chun-hee, a 26-year-old office worker in Seoul. “They need to be humbled.”

South Korea has fewer physicians per capita than most countries in the developed world — 2.6 doctors per 1,000 people, compared to an average of 3.7 in the countries belonging to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development . Surveys have found that most South Koreans want more medical students enrolled to address that. In one recent poll, 43 percent of respondents said the physicians who’ve stopped working — they currently number 12,000 — should face legal consequences.

For some doctors, that is a startling message to hear from their patients.

“When they’re sick and come to us for treatment, they seek us out with a heart of gratitude. But when it comes to public policies or large social issues, it appears the public wants the doctors to be the ones to compromise,” said Dr. Kim Daejung, a professor of endocrinology and metabolism at Ajou University Hospital in the city of Suwon.

“Public sentiment toward doctors is two-sided,” Dr. Kim said. “While they are admired and respected, they are also the target of envy and anger.”

Doctors have prestige everywhere, but that is particularly true in South Korea. Kye Bongoh, a professor of sociology at Kookmin University in Seoul, attributes that to a strong belief in the educational hierarchy. Many top students choose medicine over finance or other corporate paths — partly because of its high social status, but also because it is seen as offering more financial stability in the long term.

“When people hear the word ‘doctor,’ they assume they were first in their class since high school,” Professor Kye said. “And since they go through arduous training to be a doctor, they’re highly respected.”

Dr. Kim, who got his license in 1993, remembers when high achievers were just as likely to enter fields like engineering, which promised well-paying jobs with big firms. But medicine started looking like a better bet after the Asian financial crisis of the late 1990s, which put thousands of companies out of business.

“Becoming a doctor was seen as a more stable path,” Dr. Kim said.

Because South Korean health care is relatively cheap, government-subsidized and easily accessible, patients can go “medical shopping,” as Dr. Seo Yeonjoo, a 33-year-old specialist in the internal medicine department at St. Vincent Hospital near Seoul, put it. This has led to something like a star system, doctors say, as patients seek out highly regarded physicians who’ve gone to top schools.

“Lots of people come to the big hospitals seeking out these big-time doctors,” said Dr. Seo.

The young “trainee doctors” who’ve walked out say their situation is very different. They work grueling shifts, often for what amounts to less than minimum wage, once the long hours are factored in. But some South Koreans are skeptical, saying that lucrative, comfortable careers await them once they’ve put in their five years as interns and residents.

“There is no way to explain why doctors are opposed to increasing the number of doctors, other than the idea of ​​making more money at the expense of patients,” the Chosun Ilbo newspaper said in an editorial .

This isn’t the first time doctors have pushed back against attempts to expand medical school admissions. There was a walkout in the summer of 2020, after then-President Moon Jae-in proposed a more modest increase. Faced with a strained medical system at the height of the Covid pandemic, the government backed down.

Around the same time, doctors at some hospitals were found to have been letting unsupervised assistants operate on patients . That led to prosecutions and a law requiring cameras in operating rooms.

But Professor Kye said that when the public’s trust in physicians is shaken by such episodes in South Korea, it tends to rebound quickly.

“While there might be animosity toward doctors now, our culture of seeking out revered doctors for treatment, and the long-held perception of them, is unlikely to change,” he said. In 2021, a year after the last walkout, surveys found that around 60 percent of the public thought the medical system had responded well to the pandemic.

Yoon Jong Min, 54, who had surgery on his leg in October, was due for a follow-up visit last month. Because of the walkout, it was postponed to mid-April, and the Seoul hospital where he was treated could not guarantee that it wouldn’t be delayed again, he said.

But he blames the government more than the doctors for the standoff. “I’m being harmed by the administration’s political show,” he said. He said that medical school admissions should be increased, but gradually.

President Yoon’s plan would raise medical school admissions — to around 5,000 students per year, from around 3,000 — starting next year. It would also spend 10 trillion won, or $7.5 billion, over the next five years on improving health care services, especially in rural areas that the government says are underserved.

The doctors, along with other critics of the government, say the plan was hastily put together to win votes in legislative elections this month. The doctors say it would do little to alleviate the physician shortage, which they say is concentrated in certain departments, like emergency care.

Civic groups have urged the doctors and the government to end the dispute. “Will they put this abnormal situation to end only after patients die from not being treated on time?” the Korea Alliance of Patients Organization said in a statement last week.

In a televised speech this week , Mr. Yoon defended his plan, saying that 2,000 more medical students per year was the “minimum” needed. But he also invited doctors to submit a counterproposal and offered to meet with them. A major doctors’ group welcomed that offer but said any talks would have to be “meaningful.”

Dr. Kim, the Ajou University Hospital professor, said the country’s attitude toward his profession was unlikely to change, whatever the outcome of the dispute. “People might be angry at doctors now, but they will still want their children to become one,” he said.

Jin Yu Young reports on South Korea, the Asia Pacific region and global breaking news from Seoul. More about Jin Yu Young

We've detected unusual activity from your computer network

To continue, please click the box below to let us know you're not a robot.

Why did this happen?

Please make sure your browser supports JavaScript and cookies and that you are not blocking them from loading. For more information you can review our Terms of Service and Cookie Policy .

For inquiries related to this message please contact our support team and provide the reference ID below.

US envoy to UN to visit Korean border, North Korean defectors

• Medium Text

The Reuters Daily Briefing newsletter provides all the news you need to start your day. Sign up here.

Reporting by Hyonhee Shin; editing by Miral Fahmy

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. New Tab , opens new tab

World Chevron

President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russia had been obliged to launch strikes that have inflicted heavy damage on Ukrainian energy sites in response to Kyiv's attacks on Russian targets.

The Peruvian Air Force said on Thursday that it lost communication with a Mirage 2000 fighter plane that was conducting low-altitude training in southern Peru and has ordered investigations to determine "the causes of the accident."