All the routine vaccinations are required before entering South Korea. Check with your local health practitioner for more information. Additionally, you may need vaccinations and medications for the following diseases:
• Hepatitis A (transmitted through contaminated food and water, and physical contact)
• Typhoid (transmitted through contaminated food and water)
• Hepatitis B (transmitted through sexual contact, contaminated needles and blood products)
• Japanese encephalitis (transmitted through the bites of mosquitoes)
• Malaria (transmitted through the bites of mosquitoes)
• Rabies (transmitted through the bites of mammals, such as dogs and bats)
South Korea is one of the safest countries in the world. You can even walk around at night in many of its major cities.
In Seoul, political activists may stage protests near Gwanghamun, Yeouido and City Hall. These protests rarely get violent, but it would be best to avoid these areas when protests commence.
Make sure to obey the local laws in South Korea. Ignorance of the law is not accepted as a reasonable excuse. In some cases, it may even give reason for harsher punishments. Drug offences can lead to heavy fines, jail time and immediate deportation.