Original document : https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/south-korea

Change description : 2024-12-16 15:01:00: Updated information on elevated political tensions (‘Warnings and insurance’ page). [Guidance and regulation]

Showing diff : 2024-12-07 13:22:57.449207666 +00:00..2024-12-16 15:02:34.353364096 +00:00

Foreign travel advice

South Korea

Warnings and insurance

Still current at:: 7 16 December 2024
Updated:: 7 16 December 2024
Latest update:: Updated information on elevated political tensions ('Warnings and insurance' ~~page)~~page).

Elevated Political Tensions

We are aware of heightened political tensions in South Korea. Large demonstrations are likely to ~~continue,~~continue following the vote on 14 December to impeach President Yoon, as the Constitutional Court has up to 180 days after the vote to decide whether to uphold the impeachment. Protests are particularly likely in the areas around ~~Gwanghwamun,~~Gwanghwamun and the Constitutional Court (Anguk), and could also occur in the areas including the Presidential Office (Samgakji) and the National Assembly (Yeouido). Follow the advice of local authorities and avoid large public gatherings. See ~~the~~ the Safety and security page for ~~for~~ more information.

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:

see general advice for women travellers
read our guide on disability and travel abroad
see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
read about safety for solo and independent travel
see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

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View a printable version of the whole guide

Update history

2025-04-04 07:23
Updated guidance around elevated political tensions (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).

2025-04-03 12:39
New information on electronic entry declaration documents, forest fires, doctor shortages and English-language support (‘Entry requirements’, ‘Safety and security’, ‘Health’ and ‘Getting help’ pages).

2025-04-01 12:31
Updated information on elevated political tensions (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).

2025-03-31 03:07
Latest update: Forest fires in the south-eastern part of South Korea have been contained. The Travel Advice alert in relation to them has been removed (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).

2025-03-25 10:08
New information added about forest fires in the south-eastern part of South Korea (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).

2025-01-20 06:52
Latest update: Updated information on elevated political tensions in Seoul (‘Warnings and insurance’ page)

2025-01-14 10:31
Updated information on health screening requirements when arriving in country (‘Entry requirements’ page).

2025-01-02 06:37
Updated information on likely locations of political protests (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).

2024-12-17 15:44
Updated information on temporary exemption from K-ETA requirement to enter country (‘Entry requirements’ page).

2024-12-16 15:01
Updated information on elevated political tensions (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).

2024-12-07 13:22
Updated information on elevated political tensions (‘Warnings and insurance’ page)

2024-12-04 02:24
Updated information on a declaration of martial law in South Korea (‘Warnings and insurance’ page)

2024-12-03 15:43
Addition of information on a declaration of martial law in South Korea (‘Warnings and insurance’ page)

2024-09-06 16:50
Clarified health screening requirements when arriving in country (‘Health screening’ on the ‘Entry requirements’ page).

2024-05-28 14:26
Information on requirements for K-ETA and health screenings (‘Entry requirements’ page).

2023-11-06 15:17
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.

2023-08-25 09:13
Removal of safety advice related to civil defence drill on Wednesday, 23 August and typhoon Khunan (‘Summary’ and ‘Natural disasters’ pages).

2023-08-21 13:03
Safety advice related to upcoming civil defence drill on Wednesday, 23 August (‘Summary’ page).

2023-08-09 12:26
Updated safety advice related to Typhoon Khanun (‘Natural disasters’ page).

2023-07-15 15:37
Information about the risks of heavy rainfall/flooding (‘Natural Disasters Page’)

2023-06-22 09:38
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages

2023-06-16 09:23
Information on the removal of mask mandate, quarantine/vaccination requirements, and free COVID-19 tests (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages).

2023-03-30 09:20
Updated information on lifting of K-ETA requirement for visitors from the UK (‘Entry requirements’ page).

2023-03-20 09:30
Updated information on lifting of testing requirements for travellers entering South Korea from China (‘Entry requirements’ page).

2023-01-30 09:24
Updated information on relaxing of COVID-19 indoor mask mandate (‘Coronavirus’ page).

2022-12-30 15:58
New COVID-19 entry requirements for travellers entering South Korea from China (‘Entry requirements’ page).

2022-11-11 09:39
Removal of emergency response information regarding the crush incident in Itaewon, Seoul, and addition of information regarding contingency planning (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).

2022-10-30 04:29
Addition of information regarding the crush incident in Itaewon, Seoul (“summary”)

2022-09-30 16:59
Updated information on PCR tests on arrival, which are no longer required as of 1 October 2022 (‘Entry requirements’ page).

2022-09-06 09:41
Removal of information related to Typhoon HINNAMNOR (“Summary” page).

2022-09-04 08:33
Updated safety advice related to Typhoon HINNAMNOR (“Summary” page).

2022-09-02 10:53
Removal of pre-departure PCR test requirement (‘Entry requirements’ page).

2022-08-12 13:11
Addition of information on COVID-19 testing centres at Incheon (Seoul), Gimhae (Busan) and Jeju airports and recommendation for PCR test on arrival to be completed at airport testing centres within 24 hours (‘Entry requirements’ pages)

2022-07-22 13:29
Addition of information on COVID-19 testing centres at Gimhae (Busan) and Jeju airports, suspension of Korean Air and Asiana ticket sales on the Heathrow-Incheon route and requirement as of 25 July 2022 for PCR test on arrival to be completed within 24 hours (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages)

2022-07-15 10:26
Addition of information on the requirement for travellers to log arrival PCR results on the Q-Code system from 15 July. Updated information on time-frames for applying for the K-ETA (‘Entry requirements’ page)

2022-06-29 10:58
Updated information on certificates of COVID-19 recovery (‘Entry requirements’ page)

2022-06-10 17:11
Updated information on entry requirements for unvaccinated travellers and data collection (‘Entry requirements’ page)

2022-06-06 10:43
Changing of testing requirements prior to departure. (‘Entry requirements’ page)

2022-06-01 12:38
Updated information on testing on arrival, quarantine requirements, and entry rules for children and young people (‘Entry requirements’ page)

2022-05-20 11:21
Changing of testing requirements prior to departure and upon arrival. Changing of definition of ‘fully vaccinated’. (‘Entry requirements’ page). Changing of quarantine policy for unvaccinated children with vaccinated family members (‘Children and young people’ page)

2022-05-13 15:36
Updated information on passport validity (‘Entry requirements’ page)

2022-04-29 10:51
Updated information on re-entry permit exemptions and quarantine exemptions for unvaccinated children. (‘Entry requirements’ page)

2022-04-19 14:47
Updated information on pre-departure PCR test requirements for arrivals. Updated information on arrival test rules for short-term and long-term foreign travellers. (‘Entry requirements’ page)

2022-04-04 12:35
Updated information on quarantine requirements for unvaccinated children travelling with vaccinated parents/guardians (‘Entry requirements’ page). Addition of information on the Q-Code System for quarantine exemptions and testing on arrival. Updated information on quarantine exemptions for unvaccinated travellers (‘Entry requirements’ page)

2022-03-18 13:26
Updated information on the vaccinations available for children and quarantine requirement if testing positive upon arrival (‘Coronavirus’ page). Addition of information on the Q-Code System for quarantine exemptions. Updated information on demonstrating your vaccination status when entering South Korea (‘Entry requirements’ page)

2022-02-24 15:54
Updated to reflect the availability of the Novavax vaccine (‘Coronavirus’ page). Amended guidance on demonstrating your vaccination status when entering South Korea (‘Entry requirements’ page).