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TRAVEL REPORT
Korea, South

1. RECENT UPDATES

Section 5 has been updated.

See our Global Issues page for information on the H1N1 Flu Virus.

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2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

There is no Official Warning for this country.

South Korea

Exercise normal security precautions

Exercise high degree of caution

Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid all travel

North Korea conducted a presumed underground nuclear test on May 25, 2009, and has also recently tested a number of short-range missiles, resulting in increased tensions in the Korean peninsula. Further tests cannot be ruled out. Canadians should be vigilant, monitor ongoing developments via local media and follow the advice of local authorities.

Canadians are reminded that political, labour, and student demonstrations and marches can become confrontational or violent. Canadians should exercise caution, avoid areas where demonstrations are being held and avoid confrontations with protestors.

The Korean National Police operates a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week Central Interpretation Centre where foreigners can report crimes (in Seoul, telephone 313-0842; elsewhere, 02-313-0842). For emergency assistance, call 112 for police and 119 for ambulance and fire. The 112 number has an English interpretation service from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day.

OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency abroad, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad.

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3. SAFETY AND SECURITY

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. The purpose of this Travel Report is to provide Canadians with up-to-date information to enable them to make well-informed decisions.

Crime against foreigners is generally low. Sexual assaults against foreigners have occurred. Exercise caution, remain aware of your surroundings, and avoid walking alone after dark. The use of public transport after dark may be safer than using taxis when travelling alone. However, when subway and bus services end for the night, use officially marked taxis only and, if possible, do not travel alone. Exercise caution and ensure personal belongings, passports and other travel documents are secured.

The Department publishes a booklet entitled Her Own Way: A Woman’s Guide to Safe and Successful Travel. Its prime objective is to inform Canadian women and encourage them to travel safely.

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4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

It is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries or regions have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.

The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the authorities of South Korea. However, these requirements are subject to change at any time. It is the traveller’s responsibility to check with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea and its consulates, for up-to-date information.

A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit South Korea. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected departure from the country.

Tourist Visa: Not required (for stays less than 180 days)
Business Visa: Not required (for stays less than 30 days)
Student Visa: Required
Working Visa: Required (must be obtained from outside South Korea)

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A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship is not a travel document. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document available to Canadians for the purpose of international travel. Canadian citizens returning to Canada who present other documents, such as a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship, birth certificate, provincial driver’s license, or foreign passport, instead of a Canadian passport, may face delays or be denied boarding by transport companies.

Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.

Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify all visa requirements for this and other destinations, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.

Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries or regions may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country or region without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.

Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries or regions do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.

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5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS

You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following addresses:

Korea, South - SEOUL, Embassy of Canada
Address: 16-1 Jeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul (100-120), Republic of Korea
Postal Address: P.O. Box 6299, Seoul, Republic of Korea, 100-662
Tel.: 82-2-3783-6000
Emergency toll-free to Ottawa: 001-800-2326-6831; 008-800-2326-6831; 002-800-2326-6831
Fax: 82-2-3783-6112
E-Mail: seoul@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.korea.gc.ca

Korea, South - BUSAN, Consulate of Canada
Address: c/o Dongsung Chemical Corporation, 472 Shin Pyung-dong, Saha-gu, Busan 604-721, Republic of Korea
Tel.: 82 (51) 204-5581
Emergency toll-free to Ottawa: 001-1-800-2326-6831; 008-1-800-2326-6831; 002-1-800-2326-6831
Fax: 82 (51) 204-5580

For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in Seoul and follow the instructions. You may also call the Department in Ottawa toll-free at 001-800-2326-6831, 002-800-2326-6831 or 008-800-2326-6831.

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6. TRAVEL HEALTH

The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Health Web site.

The Public Health Agency of Canada continues to closely monitor and report on occurrences of avian influenza A (H5N1), or "bird flu", in humans and in birds. Further information on avian influenza A (H5N1) and recommendations for travellers can be found on the Public Health Agency of Canada's Travel Medicine Web site as well as on the World Health Organization's Web site. For more information, see our Global Issues page on Avian Influenza.

The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.

Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.

The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.

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7. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

The South Korean authorities have implemented screening measures at airports in response to the H1N1 Flu Virus outbreak. Travellers entering the Republic of Korea may be subject to a body temperature check.

Korean medical institutions insist that fees be paid in full before discharge. They will not charge insurance companies directly.

Visitors should not drink local tap water. Bottled water is recommended.

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8. LAWS AND CUSTOMS

You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail or death sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons.

Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.

The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries or regions, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare.

Dual nationality is not legally recognized, which may limit the ability of Canadian officials to provide consular services. Canadians should travel using their Canadian passport and present themselves as Canadian to foreign authorities at all times.

The Department publishes a booklet entitled Dual Citizenship: What Travellers Should Know, specifically targeted at Canadians with dual nationality.

Dual national males whose names appear on the Korean Family Relation Certificate may be subject to compulsory military service, even when entering the Republic of Korea on a Canadian passport. Before travelling to Korea, Canadian males of Korean origin may need to renounce their Korean citizenship or have their names removed from the Korean Family Relation Certificate to gain exemption from this requirement. Contact the nearest Korean Embassy or Consulate for more information.

The number of Canadians arrested and detained for drug-related charges has increased significantly. Canadians are reminded that Korean laws regarding illegal drugs are very strict. Conviction for possession, use, smuggling, or trafficking can result in long jail sentences, heavy fines and deportation. Minor violations, including smoking minute quantities of an illegal drug, including marijuana, in a private home, can lead to detention even before the trial has begun.

Penalties for drinking and driving are strict. Convicted offenders can expect heavy fines and jail sentences.

Photography of military installations or government buildings is illegal.

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9. TRAVEL AND CURRENCY

The rate of traffic death is very high. Automobile drivers are presumed to be at fault in accidents involving motorcycles or pedestrians. Criminal charges and heavy penalties are common when accidents result in injury. Taxi drivers may speak some English. Have your destination written in Korean.

There is a high speed train (KTX) that links Seoul and major southern cities such as Busan, Kwangju, and Mokpo.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is required.

See our FAQ on transportation in order to verify if national airlines meet safety standards.

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The currency is the won (KRW). Traveller's cheques are accepted at all chartered banks ("Eunhaeng" in Korean). U.S. dollar traveller's cheques are recommended for the best exchange rate. Some major banks have Automated Banking Machines (ABM) that accept international debit or credit cards. The amount allowed per withdrawal may be quite low, rendering the service charge disproportionately high. Most ABMs that can be used to draw money from Canadian banks offer English instructions. Major foreign credit cards (VISA, MasterCard, and American Express) are widely accepted by hotels and other tourist facilities and are generally regarded as safe to use.

When transferring funds from Korea to Canada, a local bank will place a stamp in your passport stating how much was transferred, in keeping with the Korea's Foreign Currency Control Act. If you are working in Korea and paying Korean income tax, you can transfer your entire income based on your tax payment certificate. As a tourist, you are required to declare at customs if you are bringing into, or carrying out of, the country more than the equivalent of US$10,000, including local currency.

Check with your bank for information on automated banking machine (ABM) services outside Canada. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ABMs around the world. Verify with your financial institution whether your bank card can be used with ABMs abroad. Some countries use chip and/or personal identification number (PIN) technology for credit cards. Check with your bank to find out if your credit card will be accepted abroad. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ABMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.

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10. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE

The rainy (monsoon) season extends from the end of June until August. July is usually the wettest month. Typhoons are not unusual in August and September. Severe rainstorms can cause flooding and reduce the provision of essential services in outlying areas. Pollution levels peak in March, April and May (due to yellow dust). Travellers should keep informed of regional weather forecasts and plan accordingly.

See our Global Issues page for information on typhoons and monsoons.

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11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Returning to Canada

Traveller's Checklist

Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.

Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.

Teaching English: Contracts to teach English (arranged by recruiters in Canada) should be carefully reviewed before being signed. There have been reports that some contracts have been modified after the fact. Ensure all terms and conditions of employment are clearly stated before accepting an offer and ensure that you meet all the necessary requirements. The Korean government investigates the use of fraudulent documents, university degrees and ESL certificates. Penalties for using fraudulent documents include arrest, deportation and restrictions on re-entry. Canadians should be aware that written contracts are not binding documents. Verbal agreements often take precedence over written agreements.

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada has published a guide, Teaching English in Korea (available only on the Internet), to provide Canadians with basic information on this subject.

Adoption: Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child abroad, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.

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12. ANNEX

N/A

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