What the governments of the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada tell their own citizens about travelling to South Korea, in their own words, plus practical help with packing.
Travel advice levels
Each government rates the risks for its own citizens, on its own scale. The levels are shown exactly as published; they are not equivalent to each other and are not combined here.
UK
United KingdomForeign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Does not advise against travel
No numbered levels
Updated 14 May 2026
Latest change, in the source's words:Updated information about submitting e-Arrivals cards when arriving in Korea (‘Entry requirements’ page).
The official source shows no update to this advice in over 12 months. Check the official page for the current version.
Trip Rulebook could not refresh this source since 30 September 2026. The official website may have newer advice.
Emergency numbers
From the section “Emergency services in South Korea” of the UK government's travel advice for South Korea, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
Ambulance: 119
Fire: 119
Police: 112
Local laws and customs
From the section “Laws and cultural differences” of the UK government's travel advice for South Korea, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
Personal ID
It is a legal requirement to carry some form of identification, but people are rarely asked to show it.
Illegal drugs and prison sentences
If you’re convicted of possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs you can face a long jail sentence and heavy fines. This applies even to personal use of small amounts of marijuana. British nationals have been detained solely on the basis of drug tests.
Travelling with medicines
From the section “Medication” of the UK government's travel advice for South Korea, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
South Korean customs authorities allow you to bring small amounts of medication for your personal use, if it is kept in carry-on baggage. Take an English language prescription from your doctor at home for both your prescription drugs and non-prescription medicines. Consult the website of the South Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety before you travel to South Korea.
From the section “Extreme weather and natural disasters” of the UK government's travel advice for South Korea, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
If there is a natural disaster, or the threat of one, the South Korean government will publish updates in Korean and English to the Natural Disaster Safety Portal.
The government’s Emergency Ready App, available on iOS and Android, explains the possible alerts which would be pushed to your mobile.
The typhoon season normally runs from June to November. Monitor the progress of approaching storms with the Korea Meteorological Administration or call 131 in Korea to get an accurate weather forecast in English. Always follow any advice given by the local authorities.
Flooding and landslides
South Korea has heavy rainfall across the country during the summer rainy season, usually in June and July. Torrential rain may cause flooding near rivers and creeks, including in built-up areas. Flash floods are common in areas downstream from large reservoirs or rivers, even after relatively short periods of intense rainfall. Landslides are possible in hilly and mountainous areas.
Strong earthquakes are unusual in South Korea but do happen. Most earthquakes in South Korea are relatively weak. The Korea Meteorological Administration publishes information on earthquakes.
Read up on the any guidance from local authorities on safety procedures in an earthquake and check the safety tips from the Seoul Metropolitan Government.
Forest fires
Forest fires may occur in South Korea. Pay attention to warnings from local authorities and follow any safety instructions that they issue. Korean-language emergency alerts will automatically be sent to your mobile phone if you are in an affected area, and English-language translations of emergency alerts can be accessed on the National Disaster and Safety Portal and in the Emergency Ready App.
You can track the location and progress of fires through the Korea Forest Service website in English and Korean.
What to pack
Practical suggestions from Trip Rulebook, based on open data and fixed rules. They are not safety or legal advice: rules on clothing, medicines and restricted items are covered only by the official text on this page.
Chargers and plugs
Plug typesCF
Voltage220/380 V
Frequency60 Hz
Plug and voltage data: Wikipedia, “Mains electricity by country”, CC BY-SA 4.0 (licence), retrieved 2026-09-29. Sockets in hotels can differ; the label on your charger (for example “INPUT 100–240V”) tells you which voltages it accepts.
Clothes for the weather
Rainfall Average temperature
January
Average
-2 °C (29 °F)
Lows
-7 °C (20 °F)
Highs
3 °C (38 °F)
Rain
27 mm (1.1 in)
Warm jacket or coat, jumper and long trousers.
Nights below freezing on average: hat, gloves and warm layers.
Usually dry.
February
Average
1 °C (33 °F)
Lows
-5 °C (23 °F)
Highs
6 °C (43 °F)
Rain
38 mm (1.5 in)
Warm jacket or coat, jumper and long trousers.
Nights below freezing on average: hat, gloves and warm layers.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
March
Average
6 °C (42 °F)
Lows
0 °C (32 °F)
Highs
12 °C (53 °F)
Rain
56 mm (2.2 in)
Warm jacket or coat, jumper and long trousers.
Nights below freezing on average: hat, gloves and warm layers.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
April
Average
12 °C (53 °F)
Lows
5 °C (42 °F)
Highs
18 °C (64 °F)
Rain
93 mm (3.7 in)
Light jacket or fleece and long sleeves.
Big difference between day and night: pack layers.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
May
Average
17 °C (62 °F)
Lows
11 °C (51 °F)
Highs
23 °C (73 °F)
Rain
107 mm (4.2 in)
Light jacket or fleece and long sleeves.
Big difference between day and night: pack layers.
Frequent rain on average: a rain jacket or umbrella.
June
Average
21 °C (70 °F)
Lows
16 °C (61 °F)
Highs
26 °C (79 °F)
Rain
166 mm (6.5 in)
Light clothes, with a light layer for the evenings.
Frequent rain on average: a rain jacket or umbrella.
July
Average
25 °C (76 °F)
Lows
21 °C (69 °F)
Highs
28 °C (83 °F)
Rain
302 mm (11.9 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very wet month on average: waterproof jacket, quick-dry clothes and a dry bag.
August
Average
25 °C (77 °F)
Lows
21 °C (70 °F)
Highs
29 °C (85 °F)
Rain
284 mm (11.2 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very wet month on average: waterproof jacket, quick-dry clothes and a dry bag.
September
Average
20 °C (69 °F)
Lows
15 °C (60 °F)
Highs
25 °C (78 °F)
Rain
153 mm (6.0 in)
Light clothes, with a light layer for the evenings.
Frequent rain on average: a rain jacket or umbrella.
October
Average
14 °C (58 °F)
Lows
8 °C (47 °F)
Highs
20 °C (68 °F)
Rain
64 mm (2.5 in)
Light jacket or fleece and long sleeves.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
November
Average
7 °C (45 °F)
Lows
2 °C (35 °F)
Highs
13 °C (55 °F)
Rain
48 mm (1.9 in)
Warm jacket or coat, jumper and long trousers.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
December
Average
1 °C (33 °F)
Lows
-5 °C (24 °F)
Highs
6 °C (42 °F)
Rain
29 mm (1.1 in)
Warm jacket or coat, jumper and long trousers.
Nights below freezing on average: hat, gloves and warm layers.
Usually dry.
National averages for 1991-2020. Coasts, mountains and regions can be very different, and any given year can be warmer, colder or wetter. Suggestions come from fixed rules based on these averages. Climate data: World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal, observed climate data (CRU TS), CRU TS (cru_ts4.09), Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia, CC BY 4.0 (licence).
Visa and entry rules depend on your nationality and change often, so Trip Rulebook does not summarise them. Each government explains the rules for its own citizens. If you travel on another passport, check with the embassy or the official immigration website of South Korea.
This page is guidance, not legal advice. Laws and advice change without notice and are written for each government's own citizens, so they may apply to you differently. Confirm everything with the official source before you travel. Terms of use.