COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: The Republic of Korea (South Korea or ROK) is a highly developed, stable, democratic republic with powers shared between the president and the legislature. Korea is a modern economy where tourist facilities are widely available. English is rarely spoken outside the maintourist and business centers.

You can find more information about tourism in the ROK through the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) website (in English) or by calling 1-800-868-7567 from the United States and Canada. The KTO also operates a telephone information service within the Republic of Korea, that you can reach by dialing 1330 (02-1330 from cell phones) anywhere in the country. The KTO telephone service has English speakers and is available 24 hours every day of the year. The Seoul Global Center (SGC) assists foreigners with an English-speaking help line at (02) 1688-0120. The SGC is open from 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Read the Department of State's Background Notes on South Korea for additional information.

SMART TRAVELER ENROLLMENT PROGRAM (STEP) / EMBASSY LOCATION: If you are going to live in or visit the Republic of Korea, please take the time to tell our Embassy about your trip. If you sign up, we can keep you up to date with important safety and security announcements. Your friends and family can also get in touch with you in an emergency. Here's the link to the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.

U.S. Embassy, Seoul, Republic of Korea

188 Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea, 110-710
APO address is Unit 15550, APO, AP 96205-5550
Telephone: (82-2) 397-4114 (from a cell phone in the Republic of Korea: 02-397-4114)
Emergency after-hours telephone: 82-2-397-4114. If you have access to DSN, please call 721-4114.
Facsimile: (82-2) 397-4101

AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of the Republic of Korea's Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of the ROK's air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the FAA's Safety Assessment Page.