South Korea - Consular Information Sheet
November 19, 1993

Country Description: The Republic of Korea is a highly developed stable 
democratic republic with powers shared between the president and the 
legislature.  It has a modern economy, and tourist facilities are widely 
available.

Entry Requirements:  A passport is required.  Visas are not required for 
tourist stays of up to fifteen days.  For longer stays and other types of 
travel, visas must be obtained in advance.  Specific requirements are 
available through the Embassy of the Republic of Korea at 2600 Virginia 
Avenue N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037, telephone (202) 939-5660/63, or the 
nearest consulate general in major U.S. cities.

Medical Facilities:  Health care facilities in the Republic of Korea are 
good.  Doctors and hospitals may expect immediate cash payment for health 
services.  U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United 
States.  Supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage has 
proved useful.  The international travelers hotline at the Centers for 
Disease Control, tel. (404) 332-4559, has additional useful health 
information.

Information on Crime:  The crime rate in the Republic of Korea is generally 
low. However, pickpocketing, purse snatching, hotel room burglaries and 
residential crime do occur, and can target foreigners.  Incidents of sexual 
harassment or molestation of foreign women have occurred.  Women should take 
the same precautions they would take in the urban United States.  The Korean 
National Police (KNP) operate a Central Interpretation Center (CIC) where 
foreigners can report incidents of crime.  The CIC is available on a 24-
hour, seven-day-a-week basis, telephone 313-0842. 

The loss or theft of a U.S. passport abroad should be reported to the 
nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Useful information on safeguarding 
valuables and protecting personal security abroad is provided in the 
Department of State pamphlet "A Safe Trip Abroad."  It is available from the 
Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, 
D.C. 20402.

Drug Penalties:  Travelers are subject to the laws and legal practices of 
the country in which they travel.  Penalties for possession, use, or 
trafficking in illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can expect 
jail sentences and fines.

Passport Seizures/Exit Bans - Commercial Disputes: The government of Korea 
sometimes seizes the passports of foreigners involved in commercial 
disputes.  Under these circumstances, the U.S. government will re-issue a 
passport to an American citizen who applies for one.  Even if a new U.S. 
passport is issued, the government of South Korea may block departure.

Demonstrations:  Student demonstrations, sometimes confrontational, 
occasionally occur.  It is unlikely that disturbances would be directed 
against U.S. citizen travelers.

Teaching English:  There have been numerous complaints from U.S. citizens 
who have gone to Korea to teach English under contractÑ with promises of big 
salaries, furnished apartments, bonuses, and other amenitiesÑ only to find 
some institutions reneging on the contracts.  

Registration:  U.S. citizens who register at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate 
can obtain updated information on travel and security within the country. 

Embassy Location: The U.S. Embassy in the Republic of Korea (South Korea) is 
located at 82 Sejong-Ro, Chongro-ku, Seoul, telephone (82-2) 397-4000/4008 
and 397-4114.

The U.S. Consulate is located in Pusan at 24  2-Ka, Daechung-Dong, Chung-ku, 
telephone (82-51) 246-7791.

No. 93-316

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated July 9, 1993, to include 
information concerning sexual harassment of foreign women.