Korea is very safe with low crime, and its healthcare is excellent. Save the emergency numbers and the multilingual 1330 travel hotline, and you're well covered.
Low crime
Korea is one of the safest countries to travel in, and walking around Seoul day or night is comfortable. Normal city sense is all you need.
Emergency numbers
Dial 112 for police and 119 for fire and ambulance. Both are free and can arrange interpretation if you don't speak Korean.
1330 travel hotline
The 24-hour Korea Travel Hotline (dial 1330) gives multilingual help — directions, recommendations and live interpretation — and is genuinely useful in a jam.
Pharmacies
For minor needs, look for a pharmacy (약국, "yakguk"). Pharmacists can advise on common ailments; note many close in the evenings and on Sundays.
Tap water
Tap water is officially safe to drink, though many locals prefer filtered or bottled water. Free filtered water is common in restaurants and cafés.
Insurance & meds
Hospitals are excellent but care isn't free for visitors, so bring travel insurance. Carry any prescription medication with its documentation, as some drugs are restricted.
Fares, prices and rules can change over time — please check official sources before you travel.
