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South Korea 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report

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South Korea 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report South Korea 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report This is an annual report produced in conjunction with the Regional Security Office of the U.S. Embassy in Seoul. OSAC encourages travelers to use this report to gain baseline knowledge of security conditions in South Korea (Republic of Korea, or ROK). For more in-depth information, review OSAC’s South Korea country page for original OSAC reporting, consular messages, and contact information, some of which may be available only to private-sector representatives with an OSAC password. Travel Advisory The current U.S. Department of State at the date of this report’s publication advises reconsidering travel to South Korea due to an outbreak of COVID-19. Do not travel to Daegu due to the level of community transmission of the virus and imposition of local quarantine procedures. However, the Travel Advisory in effect prior to the outbreak assessed the country at Level 1, indicating travelers should exercise normal precautions. Review OSAC’s report, Understanding the Consular Travel Advisory System. Overall Crime and Safety Situation The U.S. Department of State has assessed Seoul as being a LOW threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. For most visitors, the South Korea remains a very safe country. When traveling in South Korea, stay alert to any unusual activity around your home, hotel, or business, and report any significant incidents to the local police. The most common crimes (e.g. pickpocketing, purse snatching, thefts from hotel rooms or homes) occur more frequently in major metropolitan and tourist areas, and crowded markets. Review OSAC’s report, All That You Should Leave Behind. There are occasional reports of taxi scams, where drivers refuse to use the meter and then quote unreasonable fares. Burglaries of occupied residences are rare. While crimes involving firearms are extremely rare due to stringent gun control laws, violent crimes do sometimes occur, often involving the use of knives. There have been few reported incidents involving U.S. Embassy, military, or expatriate victims. Most crimes reported by U.S. expatriates involve pickpocketing in tourist areas and crowded markets or non- confrontational property theft. Most crimes are non-violent in nature, although there have been reports of more serious crimes, such as sexual assaults and murders. Corresponding to combatting the four “social evils” campaign, South Korea made numerous amendments to outdated laws related to sex crimes. With these sweeping changes, and a focus on enforcement, Korean National Police Agency (KNPA) crime statistics show an increase in reported incidents in various categories of sex crimes over the past several years, particularly higher numbers of reported crimes, apprehensions, and cases prosecuted (23,478 cases for 2018). Specifically, sexual assaults against foreigners continue. The majority of reported sexual assault cases include the use and consumption of alcohol, and victims who may have known their attacker. The ROK has specialized police and hospital units to assist victims. Women traveling alone should review the State Department’s travel tips for Women Travelers. South Korea 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report Itaewon, Sinchon, Myeongdong, Gangnam, and Hongdae are well-known entertainment and shopping districts in which crowds, alcohol, foreigners, and a higher prevalence of drug activity present a higher risk for crime. In most instances, criminal perpetrators are usually deterred by the risk of confrontation and engage principally in crimes of stealth. The commonsense security precautions a person would take in any large American city are appropriate throughout Korea. Use caution in all crowded entertainment, nightlife, and shopping districts. Remain alert to surroundings and avoid carrying anything that is not needed while traveling around Seoul and other cities. Avoid carrying valuables in backpacks, which pickpockets target more easily. Visitors who cannot speak/read Korean should ask their hotel for language cards with the names and contact information for their hotel, destinations, etc. Review OSAC’s reports, The Overseas Traveler’s Guide to ATM Skimmers & Fraud, Taking Credit, Hotels: The Inns and Outs and Considerations for Hotel Security. Cybersecurity Issues The Republic of Korea is a world leader in Internet connectivity, reportedly having the world’s fastest Internet connection speed and the highest internet penetration in per capita. Internet penetration rate is over 85%, and smart phone penetration rate is 80%. On an individual level, the threat of cybercrime is moderate but steadily increasing; phishing schemes and theft of Personal Identifiable Information (PII) for criminal intent have increased as has defamation, which is considered a criminal offense. At the institutional and multinational company level, South Korea has experienced an increased number of intrusions, Distribution Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, and the use of malicious software to disrupt networks. Hackers with financial motives have also targeted Korean financial institutions, stealing Korean Identification Numbers (KID) and other PII. (KID is similar to a U.S. social security number, used in Korea as a primary identity document for personal and financial transactions.) The use of malicious software to disrupt or shut down government, public, and private networks continues to impact the economy and jeopardize the security of critical infrastructure. In 2014, hackers used malicious software to gain access to the Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Company. KNPA statistics reveal just under 150,000 cybercrimes reported for 2018, up from 131,734 in 2017. The U.S. government advises its travelers not to leave personal electronic items containing sensitive information unsecured in hotel rooms. Review OSAC’s reports, Cybersecurity Basics, Best Practices for Maximizing Security on Public Wi-Fi, Traveling with Mobile Devices: Trends & Best Practices, and Satellite Phones: Critical or Contraband? South Korea 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report Transportation-Safety Situation Road Safety and Road Conditions Roads are well paved, and traffic signals are operational. Seasonal heavy rains can cause isolated sections of road to become temporarily blocked or washed out. South Korea’s mountainous topography dictates unusual road networks and interchanges in some areas; foreigners who cannot read Korean report that road signs are difficult to use for navigating. Drivers are aggressive, especially in large cities. Vehicles frequently do not yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks, and drivers occasionally do not obey traffic signs or lights. South Korea's traffic-related deaths have been on a decline for the past six years, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Based on OECD criteria for 2018, the country's death rates from traffic accidents was 7.3 per 100,000 inhabitants. OECD also observed that pedestrian and cyclist safety is lacking, accounting for 445 of all road fatalities in 2018. Seatbelt use in front seats has been compulsory since 1990 on all roads. However, the use of rear seatbelts on motorways was not made compulsory for all roads until 2018. The improvement of children safety has been one of the most important successes in the past two decades. The number of children killed in traffic accidents continues to lessen due to use of child safety seat devices. It is very common to find a “black box” installed in vehicles. Black boxes are small (surveillance) cameras installed in the front and/or back of vehicle that record everything happening around a vehicle. Police use the video footage taken from these black boxes for investigations and evidence in court, as do insurance companies to catch/prevent insurance fraud. All riders of motorized two-wheelers must wear helmets. The compliance rate varies between urban and rural environments. There is no mandatory helmet use law for cyclists, but the majority of bicycle riders appear to wear protective helmets. Review OSAC’s reports, Road Safety Abroad, Driving Overseas: Best Practices, and Evasive Driving Techniques; and read the State Department’s webpage on driving and road safety abroad. Public Transportation Conditions South Korea has a modern, efficient, integrated public transportation system. In Seoul, most people use the public transportation system instead of driving on the congested roadways. Reliability and ease of use of this sprawling, vast network affords travelers the opportunity to get between smaller cities and towns and urban areas. Trains, buses, and subways are clean and punctual, and most subway/train stations have signs in Korean and English. Timetable and bus stop names are typically in Korean, and most bus drivers do not speak English. Public transportation systems are considered safe, although petty crimes of opportunity can occur at subway, train, and/or bus stations. South Korea 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report There are occasional reports of taxi scams, where drivers refuse to use the meter and quote unreasonable fares or stop at disreputable gem/souvenir shops. Travelers should ensure taxi drivers use the meter. Taxis are abundant and are safe to hail on the street, or to coordinate through hotel guest services. Uber is available and safe. Review OSAC’s report, Security In Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights. Aviation/Airport Conditions Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN) is one of the largest, busiest airports in the world, providing
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