South Korea Travel Advisory 2026
Current U.S. State Department advisory
Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
The lowest advisory level. There is some risk in any international travel, but conditions are broadly comparable to everyday life in the United States. Advisory as of May 27, 2025.
Official source: travel.state.gov
US vs UK: how the advice compares
🇺🇸 United States — travel.state.gov
Level 1 of 4 · as of May 27, 2025
Latest UK update note: “Updated information about submitting e-Arrivals cards when arriving in Korea (‘Entry requirements’ page).”
See all countries where the two governments disagree on the US vs UK comparison page.
Advisory level timeline
May 27, 2025 — current
Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
Latest official advisory as captured in our snapshot.
No advisory level changes recorded for South Korea since we began tracking in July 2026. We log every future change here, with dates and official change notes.
Is South Korea safe? What the official advisory says
in the Republic of Korea (ROK or South Korea).
- Large-scale demonstrations may occur with little notice, potentially disrupting transportation and other essential services.
- Tensions on the Korean Peninsula remain high. North Korea continues to conduct missile launches and other military activities that may increase tensions. Travelers should monitor local developments and remain vigilant. The South Korean government conducts civil emergency drills throughout the year.
- Please note that consular services, including passport services, are not available at the U.S. Consulate in Busan; they are only available at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul.
Condensed from the official State Department advisory of May 27, 2025 — read the full advisory before you travel.
South Korea travel advisory FAQ
What is the current travel advisory level for South Korea?
As of May 27, 2025, the U.S. State Department rates South Korea at Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions. The lowest advisory level. There is some risk in any international travel, but conditions are broadly comparable to everyday life in the United States.
What does Level 1 mean?
Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) — The lowest advisory level. There is some risk in any international travel, but conditions are broadly comparable to everyday life in the United States.
When did the South Korea travel advisory last change?
The current advisory was published on May 27, 2025. No level changes have been recorded since we began tracking in July 2026 — this page will log every future change.
Does the UK government agree with the US advisory for South Korea?
The UK Foreign Office (FCDO) position: No overall travel warning (last updated May 14, 2026). The US and UK use different systems — the US assigns a 1–4 level, while the UK either advises against travel (entirely or in part) or issues no overall warning.
Related: all Level 4 countries · all Level 3 countries · US vs UK advice