Korea Daily News Blog

The U.S. State Department has updated its information for Americans travelling to South Korea. Some areas are to be avoided. The site says: "U.S. citizens and their families, especially young adults, are advised to exercise prudence and caution when visiting the Hongdae and Sinchon areas of Seoul. These areas, where many night clubs are located, have occasionally been the sites of bar or street fights and harassment involving Westerners." In addition, the State Department warns that "Although the crime rate in the Republic of Korea is low, there is a higher incidence of pick-pocketing, purse snatching, assault, hotel room and residential burglary, and residential crime in major metropolitan areas, such as Seoul and Busan, than elsewhere in Korea. U.S. citizens are more likely to be targeted in known tourist areas, such as Itaewon (near the U.S. Army Garrison in the Yongsan area) and large market areas downtown. Incidents of rape have been reported in popular nightlife districts in Seoul, as well as in the victims’ residences." In summation, travelers are instructed to exercise caution as they would in any unfamilar circumstance. The entire copy of the State Department's report can be found here.