Winter Olympics Travel Advisory
South Korea is about to become a major tourism destination for winter sports fans. On February 9th, the 2018 Winter Olympics and 2018 Winter Paralympics are scheduled to kick off in PyeongChang, a relatively small Korean province approximately 110 miles east of Seoul. If you are considering joining the tens of thousands of global citizens who plan to attend, there are just a few things to know before you go.
For most visitors, South Korea is a very safe country. Common crimes occur more frequently in major metropolitan areas, tourist sites, and crowded markets. Visitors should take routine safety precautions, pay attention to surroundings, and report any concerns to local police. Violent crime is not common, but stay alert and be cautious in crowded entertainment and nightlife venues, and shopping districts.
If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime while there, call (+82-2) 112 for emergency assistance or to report a crime to local authorities. Additionally, the U.S. Embassy in Seoul can be reached at (+82-2) 397-4114. Embassy officials can help find appropriate medical care, report a crime to police, contact relatives or friends, explain general Korean judicial procedures, and replace a lost or stolen passport.
Be aware of scams, fake ticket websites and unlicensed ticket resellers. CoSport is the only authorized 2018 Winter Olympics ticket reseller for U.S. residents. Please note that scalping tickets is illegal in South Korea.
Be safe and have fun. Go Team USA!