smartraveller.gov.au - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
It's a must see destination.
It's a must see destination.
Republic of Korea
| Republic of Korea overall | This Advice is current for Saturday, 04 July 2009. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Be alert to own security | Exercise caution | High degree of caution | Reconsider your need to travel | Do not travel |
This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information in the Summary and under Safety and Security: Civil Unrest/Political Tension (reports of an underground nuclear test by DPRK). The overall level of the advice has not changed.
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Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.
Since the end of the Korean War in 1953, the Korean peninsula has been divided by a demilitarised zone separating the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK – North Korea) in the north and the Republic of Korea (ROK) in the south. While peace is maintained under an armistice agreement, the two Koreas are still technically at war. Tensions between the two countries continue and low-level military clashes have sometimes occurred. Maintenance of stability on the Korean Peninsula is a priority for the ROK Government and the international community, but relations with the DPRK are tense and could deteriorate with little warning.
The DPRK conducted an underground nuclear test on 9 October 2006. Negotiations have been underway between the DPRK, ROK, United States, China, Japan and Russia (the Six-Party Talks) in an effort to resolve international concerns about its nuclear program. The DPRK reportedly conducted an underground nuclear test on 25 May 2009. The United Nations Security Council has unanimously condemned the DPRK’s actions.
Australians in the ROK should continue to monitor developments closely because of the risk that tensions on the Korean Peninsula could escalate with little warning.
The former President of the Republic of Korea, Roh Moo-hyun, died on 23 May 2009. Protests and demonstrations have occurred as a result, and more are possible in the period surrounding his funeral on 29 May 2009.
You should avoid all protests and demonstrations as they may turn violent. Monitor the local media for information about possible new safety or security risks.
While the crime rate in the ROK is low, petty crime exists, particularly in major cities such as Seoul and Busan. There have also been some instances of sexual assault and other violent crimes against foreign tourists and expatriates. You should exercise care walking alone at night, particularly in bar and nightclub areas. We recommend that you avoid using unofficial taxis.
The ROK has one of the highest rates of traffic deaths for a developed country. Speeding, running red lights and other risky behaviour is common, particularly by buses, taxis and motorcyclists. Taxis often do not have seat belts, particularly in the back seats. Pedestrians should not expect traffic to stop at pedestrian crossings: check carefully before stepping onto the road. Pedestrians should also look out for motorcyclists who often travel on footpaths and pedestrian crossings. For further advice, see our bulletin on Overseas Road Safety.
Korean authorities are focused on reducing the road toll. There is a strong presumption that car drivers are at fault in accidents involving injury to pedestrians. Criminal charges and heavy penalties are common in accidents involving injury.
Passengers on international flights to and from Australia are only allowed to carry a small amount of liquids (including aerosols and gels) in their carry-on baggage. You can find out more information at the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government website. Similar restrictions apply to flights in an increasing number of countries. Contact your airline for further information.
If you have concerns about the safety standards of a particular airline or aircraft, we recommend you research the airline or aircraft through organisations such as Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government has published fact sheets on security for air travellers. When staff at Australia's overseas missions are advised not to use particular airlines due to safety concerns, this will be included in the travel advisory.
The European Union (EU) has published a list of airlines that are subject to operating bans or restrictions within the EU. The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through its foreign assessment program focuses on a country's ability, not the individual airline, to adhere to international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance established by ICAO.
The monsoon season on the Korean Peninsula is from late June to late August. Typhoons may occur between August and September. Flooding and mudslides may interrupt transportation and other essential services.
The direction and strength of typhoons can change with little warning. You can check the latest typhoon information from the World Meteorological Organisation Severe Weather Information Centre and Asia Pacific Disaster Alerts.
In the event of an approaching typhoon, you should identify your local shelter. Flights in and out of affected areas could be delayed or suspended. Available flights may fill quickly. You should contact your airline for the latest flight information. The typhoon could also affect access to sea ports in the region. In some areas, adequate shelter from a severe typhoon may not be available to all who may choose to stay. You should familiarise yourself with hotel or cruise ship evacuation plans. You should carry your travel documents at all times (i.e. passport, photo ID, etc.) or secure them in a safe, waterproof location. We also suggest that you contact friends and family in Australia with updates about your welfare and whereabouts. For further information, see our Travel Bulletin: Severe Weather – Cyclones, Hurricanes and Typhoons.
Information on natural disasters can be obtained from the Humanitarian Early Warning Service. If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities.
Australians are advised to respect wildlife laws and to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.
Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Check with your bank whether your ATM card will work overseas.
Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.
While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.
As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.
You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.
For general information and tips on travelling with children see our Travelling Parents brochure.
If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments. You should exercise the same precautions you would take before placing children into schools or childcare facilities in Australia.
Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.
When you are in the ROK, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter.
Serious crimes, such as murder, may attract the death penalty.
Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs can result in long jail sentences, heavy fines and deportation.
Disputes over alleged misrepresentation of working and living conditions for Australians teaching English in the ROK occur frequently. If you are considering employment to teach English in the ROK, you may wish to seek professional legal advice before signing a contract.
The ROK Government sometimes prevents the departure of foreigners involved in commercial or legal disputes.
Australians have been fined, detained and deported for breaches of their visa conditions. These include working on a visa obtained by the applicant or an employment agent by submitting false documentation to Korean immigration authorities. This also includes working in any capacity (either paid or voluntary) other than as specified in the visa. If you are employed, including teaching English, without a valid or correct visa, there is little or no entitlement to legal recourse under Korean law. Advice on working visas should be obtained from an Embassy or Consulate of the ROK before arrival in-country. You should be aware that it is difficult to change visa conditions after arriving in the ROK.
Photography of and around military zones, military assets and military personnel and official buildings is illegal.
Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.
Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 17 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in sexual activity with children under 16 while outside of Australia.
The ROK does not recognise dual nationality. This may limit the ability of Australian officials to provide consular assistance to Australian/ROK dual nationals who have been arrested or detained.
If you were born in the ROK or otherwise have held Korean citizenship, you will retain Korean citizenship unless and until you formally renounce it and remove your name from the Korean family register.
Males who are ROK citizens, including dual nationals, are subject to compulsory military service. A male whose name appears on the Korean family register may be liable for military service even when travelling on an Australian passport. Males may not be allowed to renounce their Korean nationality or leave the country until they have fulfilled military service obligations or received a special exemption from military service. Australian/ROK dual nationals should seek advice from the nearest Embassy or Consulate of the ROK well in advance of travel.
Our Travel Information for Dual Nationals brochure provides further information.
Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of the ROK for the most up to date information.
Make sure your passport has at least six months' validity and carry copies of a recent passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed cases of H1N1 Influenza 09 in a number of countries throughout the world, including Republic of Korea. For a list of these countries, visit the WHO website. For further information and advice to Australians, including on possible quarantine measures overseas, see our travel bulletin on H1N1 Influenza 09.
We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. The Australian Government will not pay for a traveller's medical expenses overseas or medical evacuation costs.
Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our 'Travelling Well' brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while overseas.
The standard of medical facilities in the ROK is generally good. However, treatment can be expensive and few staff speak English. Hospitals usually require an up-front deposit and/or confirmation of insurance prior to commencing treatment.
Malaria is a risk in the demilitarised zone and in rural areas in the northern parts of Gyonggi and Gangwon provinces. Other insect-borne diseases (including Japanese encephalitis, typhus and filariasis) also occur. You should consult your doctor or travel clinic about prophylaxis against malaria and take measures to avoid insect bites, including using insect repellent.
The mosquito-borne disease Japanese encephalitis is found throughout many regions of North, South and South-East Asia and Papua New Guinea. A Japanese encephalitis vaccine is registered for use and is currently available in Australia. For further details please consult your travel health doctor.
Water-borne, food-borne and other infectious diseases (including tuberculosis, typhoid, hepatitis and Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease) occur sporadically. We encourage you to consider having vaccinations before travelling. We recommend that you avoid raw and undercooked food. In rural areas, it is recommended that all drinking water be boiled or that you drink bottled water, and that you avoid ice cubes. Seek medical advice if you have a fever or are suffering from diarrhoea.
From March to May, yellow dust, which is carried by strong winds from Mongolia and China, can cause eye, nose, mouth and throat irritations and exacerbate respiratory and cardio-vascular problems.
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world, including in the ROK. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website. For information on our advice to Australians on how to reduce the risk of infection and on Australian Government precautions see our travel bulletin on avian influenza. You should take care to ensure eggs are thoroughly cooked, for example in meals such as the popular Korean dish bi-bim-bap, which often includes raw eggs.
In the Republic of Korea, you can obtain consular assistance from the:
Australian Embassy
11th Floor, Kyobo Building
1, Jongro 1-ga
Jongro-gu
Seoul 110-714, Republic of Korea
Telephone: 82-2 2003 0100
Facsimile: 82-2 722 9264
Website: http://www.southkorea.embassy.gov.au
Australian Consulate
Room 802 Samwhan Officetel
830-295, Bumil 2-dong
Dong-gu
Busan 601-709, Republic of Korea
Telephone: 82-51 647 1762
Facsimile: 82-51 647 1764
If you are travelling to the Republic of Korea, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we encourage you to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register online or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency - whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.
In a consular emergency if you are unable to contact the Embassy you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.
In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.
While every care has been taken in preparing this travel information for travellers, neither the Australian Government nor its agents or employees including any member of Australia's consular staff abroad, can accept liability for injury, loss or damage arising in respect of any statement contained therein.
