South Korea
Travel Destination – South Korea
South Korea blends centuries-old traditions with cutting-edge modern life, offering travellers a dynamic and memorable experience. From the neon-lit streets of Seoul and the historic palaces of Gyeongju to peaceful Buddhist temples and forested mountain trails, the country offers something for every type of traveller. South Korea’s rich food culture, efficient transport systems, and welcoming atmosphere make it an accessible and rewarding destination. Whether exploring urban neighbourhoods, hiking national parks, or visiting rural farming regions, thoughtful travel health preparation can help ensure a safe and enjoyable journey.
Health Risks
Pre-travel preparation
Before travelling to South Korea, it is highly recommended to schedule a consultation with a travel doctor to ensure a safe and well-prepared journey. Your doctor can develop a personalised health plan tailored to your itinerary, whether you’ll be exploring Seoul’s bustling districts, hiking in the mountains of Gangwon-do, or visiting rural villages in Jeollanam-do. During the consultation, your vaccination history will be reviewed, and your doctor may recommend additional immunisations specific to South Korea. Prescriptions for essential medications, including any preventive treatments, can also be arranged. For the best protection, aim to book your appointment six to eight weeks before departure to allow sufficient time for multi-dose vaccines, but even last-minute consultations remain valuable for accelerated vaccination schedules and essential travel health advice.
Insect avoidance
In South Korea, mosquitoes can carry diseases such as malaria and Japanese encephalitis in rural and farming areas. Effective prevention begins with choosing accommodation that has screened windows or air-conditioning, and using a permethrin-treated net where these facilities are not available. Wearing long sleeves, long pants, and closed shoes while outdoors, particularly in grassy or wooded areas, helps minimise insect contact. Regularly applying insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus offers additional protection.
Food and water hygiene
South Korea is well known for its diverse and flavourful cuisine, ranging from street food to refined traditional dishes, but maintaining good food hygiene is still important for travellers. To help prevent gastroenteritis and other gastrointestinal infections, always wash your hands or use hand sanitiser before meals. Choose food that is freshly cooked and served hot, and take care to avoid dishes that are raw, undercooked, or reheated. Street food is generally safest when it is cooked to order and eaten immediately. Fruits and vegetables are lower risk when they can be peeled before consumption, such as bananas and mangos. Drink bottled, filtered, or boiled water, and avoid untreated tap water and ice made from it, particularly when travelling outside major urban centres.
Rabies prevention
While Australia is rabies-free, rabies has been reported in South Korea, although the risk to travellers is generally low. Cases have historically been linked to certain wild animals, and bats may also carry the virus. Avoiding contact with animals remains the most important preventive measure, particularly avoiding stray dogs and wildlife. A travel doctor can advise whether rabies vaccination is recommended based on your travel plans, especially if you expect close contact with animals, plan extended stays, or will be visiting rural areas. Any bite, scratch, or saliva exposure from a potentially infected animal requires immediate medical assessment. Prompt post-exposure treatment is highly effective and rabies is almost universally fatal once symptoms appear.
Our Travel Doctors
Our fully qualified doctors have an interest in travel medicine and immunisations. And they know travel. Their expert advice will be tailored for you, your travel companions and your trip.
Which shots do I need for South Korea?
Hepatitis A
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Hepatitis A is a viral liver infection spread through contaminated food and water. Illness can range from mild symptoms such as nausea and fatigue to more severe disease with yellow skin and abdominal pain. While sanitation standards in South Korea are generally high, Hepatitis A still occurs more commonly than in Australia, particularly among adults who have not been vaccinated. Travellers who have not completed a two-dose Hepatitis A vaccination course should consider immunisation prior to travel, especially if eating widely at local restaurants, travelling regionally, or staying for extended periods.
Typhoid
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Typhoid fever is caused by the bacteria Salmonella Typhi, and is acquired through contaminated food or drinking water. Symptoms may include fever, weakness, abdominal pain, and gastrointestinal upset. Although the overall risk in South Korea is lower than in many developing countries, typhoid occurs more frequently than in Australia. Vaccination may be recommended for travellers planning longer stays, visiting smaller towns, or eating outside major tourist settings. The typhoid vaccine offers up to three years of protection and should be considered alongside good food and water hygiene.
Hepatitis B
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Hepatitis B is a viral liver infection transmitted through contact with infected blood or bodily fluids. This can include unprotected sexual contact, unsterile tattooing or piercing, or sharing personal items such as razors. In some cases, it can cause long term liver damage. Although many younger Australians are protected through routine childhood vaccination, some adults have not been immunised. Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for some travellers to South Korea who are unvaccinated, particularly those planning longer stays or activities that may involve close personal contact or medical care. A travel doctor can check your immunity status and provide personalised vaccination advice before departure.
Japanese encephalitis
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Japanese Encephalitis is a mosquito-borne viral infection that can, in rare cases, cause severe inflammation of the brain. While most infections are mild or unnoticed, severe disease can result in long-term neurological complications or be life-threatening. In South Korea, the risk is higher in rural and agricultural regions, particularly during the warmer months. Travellers spending extended time in rural areas or undertaking outdoor activities may be at increased risk. Preventing mosquito bites is essential, and vaccination against Japanese encephalitis may be recommended depending on your length of stay, travel locations, and activities. A travel doctor can help assess your individual risk.
Routine vaccinations
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Australia’s comprehensive immunisation program has significantly reduced the spread of common infectious diseases, including measles, mumps, rubella, and tetanus. While South Korea has strong public health systems, periodic outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases can still occur, particularly in densely populated settings. Travellers should ensure their routine vaccinations are current before departure. A travel health consultation can help identify whether boosters are required for vaccines such as measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), tetanus, influenza, and COVID-19, especially when travelling during peak seasons or attending large gatherings.
South Korea
Other health risks in South Korea
Malaria
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Malaria is a mosquito-borne illness that can cause symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue. In South Korea, the risk of malaria is low and geographically limited, with transmission occurring mainly in areas near the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) along the border with North Korea. Most major cities and popular tourist destinations, including Seoul, Busan, and Jeju Island, are considered very low risk.
For travellers planning to visit or stay overnight in higher-risk regions close to the DMZ, a travel doctor may recommend preventive measures, which can include mosquito avoidance strategies and, in some cases, malaria prevention medication. Using insect repellent, wearing long sleeves and trousers in the evening, and staying in accommodation with screened windows or air-conditioning can help reduce the risk. A travel health consultation before departure can help determine whether malaria prevention is needed based on your itinerary and length of stay.
Rabies
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While Australia is rabies-free, rabies has been reported in South Korea, although the risk to travellers is generally low. Cases have historically been linked to certain wild animals, and bats may also carry the virus. Avoiding contact with animals remains the most important preventive measure, particularly avoiding stray dogs and wildlife. A travel doctor can advise whether rabies vaccination is recommended based on your travel plans, especially if you expect close contact with animals, plan extended stays, or will be visiting rural areas. Any bite, scratch, or saliva exposure from a potentially infected animal requires urgent medical assessment. Prompt post-exposure treatment is highly effective, as rabies is almost universally fatal once symptoms appear.
Gastroenteritis
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Although gastroenteritis is less common in South Korea compared to some other destinations, travellers can still be affected by bacteria in contaminated food or water. Symptoms usually develop within 24 to 72 hours after exposure, and include diarrhoea, nausea, abdominal discomfort, or vomiting.
Rehydration is the cornerstone of treatment, ideally with an oral rehydration solution to restore fluids and salts. Most travellers recover quickly without medication. Medical attention should be sought if diarrhoea is severe, persistent, or accompanied by dehydration. Preventive measures include frequent handwashing, eating foods that are fully cooked, and avoiding untreated water or street food from uncertain sources.
Non-infectious conditions
Deep vein thrombosis
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Travelling to South Korea often entails long-distance flights or prolonged journeys by train or bus, situations that can contribute to deep vein thrombosis (DVT). This condition arises when slow blood flow allows clots to form in the deep veins of the legs. To minimise risk, regularly move your legs, walk whenever feasible, and maintain good hydration during transit. People with additional risk factors may be advised to use compression stockings for lower legs. Standard DVT management involves blood-thinning therapy.
Safety on the roads and elsewhere
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South Korea has a well-developed transport system, but road safety precautions are still important, particularly in busy urban areas. If travelling by car or bus, choose reputable transport providers and always wear seatbelts. When hiking in South Korea’s national parks and mountainous regions, stick to marked trails, wear appropriate footwear, use sunscreen, and carry enough water. Trails can be steep and crowded, particularly during peak seasons. South Korea is generally very safe, but maintaining awareness in busy public areas is still advisable. Travel insurance covering medical care is recommended, especially for outdoor activities.