{"license":"CC BY 4.0 — attribution: IsMyTripSafe.com","source":"https://ismytripsafe.com/south-korea/seoul","updatedAt":"2026-09-27T23:12:32.457Z","place":{"city":"Seoul","country":"South Korea","countryCode":"KR","lat":37.566,"lon":126.9784},"safety":{"score":89,"level":"VERY_SAFE","answer":"Yes — very safe","saferThanPctOfCountries":95,"confidence":0.62,"caps":[],"databaseScore":89,"travellerSentiment":{"score":89,"label":"Very safe","summary":"Visitors consistently report feeling safe in Seoul, citing low crime, strong police presence, and extensive CCTV coverage; solo travelers, including women, frequently note comfort walking alone even at night","weightInScore":0.18,"components":[{"label":"Reported feel","score":90,"weight":0.35},{"label":"Robbery risk","score":92,"weight":0.45},{"label":"Pickpocket risk","score":78,"weight":0.2}]},"categories":[{"key":"crime","label":"Crime","score":83,"tier":1},{"key":"sentiment","label":"Traveller Sentiment","score":89,"tier":1},{"key":"advisories","label":"Advisories","score":97,"tier":2},{"key":"stability","label":"Stability","score":81,"tier":2},{"key":"health","label":"Health & Air","score":87,"tier":2}]},"advisories":[{"source":"U.S. Department of State","level":1,"label":"Exercise Normal Precautions","updated":"Wed, 28 May 2025","url":"https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/south-korea-travel-advisory.html"},{"source":"UK Foreign Office (FCDO)","level":1,"label":"No advisory against travel","updated":"2026-08-19T08:15:47Z","url":"https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/south-korea"},{"source":"Government of Canada","level":1,"label":"Exercise normal security precautions","updated":"2026-09-24T08:53:34.4605512-04:00","url":"https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/south-korea"}],"indicators":[{"key":"homicide","label":"Homicide rate","value":0.477306316584835,"display":"0.5 / 100k","year":"2023","score":98,"source":"World Bank Open Data"},{"key":"terrorism_deaths_pm","label":"Terrorism deaths (latest year)","value":0,"display":"0 recorded","year":"2021","score":100,"source":"Global Terrorism Database"},{"key":"road_deaths","label":"Road traffic deaths","value":6.9,"display":"6.9 / 100k","year":"2021","score":76,"source":"WHO Global Health Observatory"},{"key":"stability","label":"Political stability & no terrorism","value":76.8155059,"display":"77/100","year":"2024","score":77,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"rule_of_law","label":"Rule of law","value":76.19689,"display":"76/100","year":"2024","score":76,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"corruption","label":"Control of corruption","value":65.0511972,"display":"65/100","year":"2024","score":65,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"gov_effectiveness","label":"Government effectiveness","value":80.2483639,"display":"80/100","year":"2024","score":80,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"regulatory","label":"Regulatory quality","value":70.8498709,"display":"71/100","year":"2024","score":71,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"voice","label":"Voice & accountability","value":70.987799,"display":"71/100","year":"2024","score":71,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"city_population_scale","label":"Urban scale factor","value":10349312,"display":"10.3M residents","year":null,"score":38,"source":"City Geocoding"},{"key":"air_quality","label":"Air quality","value":84,"display":"US AQI 84 · Moderate","year":null,"score":74,"source":"Open-Meteo Air Quality"},{"key":"health","label":"Travel health notices","value":null,"display":"3 global notices","year":null,"score":92,"source":"CDC Travelers' Health"},{"key":"hospitals","label":"Hospitals nearby","value":80,"display":"80 within 15 km · nearest ~0.4 km","year":null,"score":95,"source":"OpenStreetMap"},{"key":"weather","label":"Extreme weather","value":24,"display":"September: highs ~24°C · no weather extremes","year":null,"score":100,"source":"Open-Meteo"},{"key":"natural_hazards","label":"Natural hazards","value":0,"display":"No active alerts · low seismicity","year":null,"score":100,"source":"GDACS / USGS"},{"key":"advisory","label":"Government travel advisory","value":1,"display":"Level 1 — Exercise Normal Precautions · 2 govts","year":null,"score":100,"source":"CA / US"}],"healthNotices":[{"level":"Alert","title":"Global Polio","url":"https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/level2/global-polio"},{"level":"Watch","title":"Global Dengue","url":"https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/level1/dengue-global"},{"level":"Watch","title":"Global Measles","url":"https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/level1/measles-globe"}],"hazardAlerts":[],"fieldResearch":{"verdict":"Yes — Seoul remains one of Asia's safest major cities for visitors, with very low violent crime and strong public safety infrastructure.","summary":"Seoul's safety profile is bolstered by a homicide rate of 0.5 per 100k, extensive CCTV coverage, visible policing, and efficient public transport. While violent crime against tourists is extremely rare, petty theft like pickpocketing can occur in crowded areas such as Myeongdong and on subway lines 2 and 4 during rush hour. The primary risks for visitors are tourist-targeted scams, not violent incidents.","robberyRisk":{"level":"Low","note":"Armed robbery and mugging are extremely rare and typically not directed at tourists; incidents usually stem from interpersonal disputes"},"pickpocketRisk":{"level":"Moderate","note":"Uncommon but can occur in dense tourist zones like Myeongdong and on subway lines 2 and 4 during rush hour; remain vigilant with belongings"},"safeAreas":["Jongno-gu","Jung-gu","Gangnam-gu","Mapo-gu","Seodaemun-gu","Dongjak-gu"],"avoidAreas":[],"scams":["Fake monks soliciting donations near temples like Jogyesa","Street vendors or locals offering unsolicited cultural experiences or studio visits to extract money","Taxi meter fraud or refusal to use the meter, especially near tourist hubs","Dating app invite scams leading to overpriced bars or venues"],"zones":[{"name":"Jongno-gu","level":"safe","note":"Historic center with palaces and low crime; well-lit and patrolled."},{"name":"Jung-gu","level":"safe","note":"Business and shopping hub (Myeongdong); safe day and night with usual petty theft caution."},{"name":"Yongsan-gu","level":"caution","note":"Itaewon nightlife area; safe but watch for scams and occasional altercations late at night."},{"name":"Gangnam-gu","level":"safe","note":"Affluent district with low violent crime; remain alert for taxi scams and pickpocketing in crowds."},{"name":"Mapo-gu","level":"safe","note":"Hongdae youth area; vibrant and safe, but avoid isolated alleys after midnight."},{"name":"Seodaemun-gu","level":"safe","note":"Residential and university area; low crime and good access to hospitals."},{"name":"Gwangjin-gu","level":"caution","note":"Home to Konkuk University; occasional nightlife-related disputes near bars."},{"name":"Dongjak-gu","level":"safe","note":"Along the Han River; safe for recreation with standard night precautions."}]}}