Episode 6: Why Foreigners Are Surprised by Korea’s Safety

A Global Reputation for Safety

When foreigners arrive in South Korea, one of their strongest impressions is not necessarily K-pop, Korean food, or high-speed internet. Instead, many are struck by something more fundamental: the sense of safety in daily life.

Before visiting, outsiders often imagine Korea as a tense country, constantly overshadowed by its northern neighbor or by scenes of political protests shown in the international media. Headlines highlight North Korea’s missile tests or large-scale demonstrations in downtown Seoul, so the expectation is often of a society that feels insecure or even unstable. Yet the reality could not be more different.

Once in Korea, visitors quickly realize that the country is one of the safest places in the world to live and travel. The difference between expectation and reality is often described as “shocking.” People find themselves asking: “How is it possible that I can walk alone at 2 a.m. and feel perfectly fine?” or “Why does nobody worry about leaving laptops in a café?”

Global statistics confirm this impression. Korea’s homicide rate is about 0.5 per 100,000 people, lower than most Western nations and dramatically below the United States, which records more than 6. In the UK, the figure hovers around 1, while Japan reports an even lower rate at 0.2. These comparisons highlight how Korea stands alongside Japan as one of the world’s safest societies.

In global safety rankings, Seoul consistently places in the top tier of safe cities, often within the top 10. Analysts point to Korea’s efficient police force, the widespread use of CCTV cameras, and the rapid expansion of smart city infrastructure. For locals, these systems are simply part of daily life; for foreigners, they are evidence of a society that prioritizes safety as a collective right.

Everyday Safety Nets: Nightlife Without Fear

Perhaps the most memorable aspect of safety in Korea is not captured in numbers but in daily routines. Foreigners frequently describe the astonishment they feel when experiencing nightlife without fear.

In many countries, being out late at night requires vigilance: keeping valuables hidden, avoiding certain neighborhoods, or traveling only in groups. In Korea, the picture is entirely different. Travelers often tell stories such as:

• “I left my phone on a café table to use the restroom, and when I came back, it was still there.”

• “I rode the subway past midnight, surrounded by students and office workers, and felt no anxiety.”

• “Families were walking together in a park at 11 p.m., with children playing freely.”

This sense of security rests on a dense network of safety measures. Seoul alone has more than 1.6 million CCTV cameras, covering subway stations, intersections, residential areas, and even small alleys. Streets are brightly lit, reducing opportunities for crime. Many neighborhoods also feature emergency call poles, brightly colored posts where pressing a button instantly connects to police or emergency responders. For women or foreign tourists, these visible safeguards are particularly reassuring.

Public transportation illustrates another dimension. The Seoul Metropolitan Subway operates late into the night, and despite carrying millions of passengers daily, it remains remarkably safe. Incidents of violent crime are extremely rare, and station staff, security cameras, and frequent patrols add layers of protection. For foreigners accustomed to avoiding subways after dark, this environment feels almost utopian.

The effect on social life is profound. Because people can safely stay out late, Korea has developed a unique “night culture.” Restaurants, karaoke bars, and 24-hour convenience stores stay busy until dawn. The ability to move freely at night creates an atmosphere of energy and possibility, and it is this everyday freedom that foreigners remember most vividly.

Future Policing: Holograms in Jeodong Park

Korea’s reputation for safety is not only about current conditions but also about constant innovation. Authorities are willing to test new ideas, sometimes experimental or even futuristic, to enhance public security.

One striking example is found in Jeodong Park in central Seoul, where a 3D hologram police officer was introduced. Each evening between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., the holographic figure appears, broadcasting messages like: “CCTV is operating, and real police can respond immediately.”

While the hologram is not physically capable of enforcement, its psychological effect is significant. Studies showed that after its introduction, reported crime in the park dropped by 22 percent. Incidents of petty theft, alcohol-related fights, and harassment declined noticeably. Residents said they felt safer simply knowing that the hologram was there, reminding everyone that surveillance and intervention were close at hand.

This initiative is part of Korea’s broader push toward smart policing. The country has invested in AI-driven crime prediction systems, drone patrols for large events, and big-data analysis of traffic and crowd patterns. These technologies are designed not only to deter crime but also to reassure the public that safety is being actively maintained.

For foreigners, encountering a holographic police officer can feel surreal, almost like stepping into a science fiction movie. Yet in Korea, it is understood as another practical measure in the ongoing effort to keep neighborhoods secure. The hologram is not a gimmick; it reflects Korea’s commitment to testing new tools that combine technology, psychology, and community trust.

Experiencing Safety Firsthand

Beyond statistics and technology, what convinces foreigners most is personal experience. Travelers and expatriates consistently describe moments when they realized just how safe Korea is compared to their home countries.

For women, the difference is especially clear. Travel bloggers and guidebooks often highlight Korea as one of the safest destinations in the world for solo female travelers. Women who would never consider walking alone at night in other countries find themselves doing so comfortably in Seoul or Busan. This freedom is not only empowering but also memorable, shaping their overall perception of the country.

Another striking experience is Korea’s lost-and-found culture. Police reports indicate that nearly 80 percent of lost items—from wallets and phones to laptops—are returned to their owners. Stories abound of foreigners who accidentally left valuables on the subway, only to retrieve them intact hours later at a police station or station office. For visitors from countries where such items would be gone within minutes, these experiences feel almost unbelievable.

Crisis management adds another layer of reassurance. In late 2024, when a brief martial law declaration shocked the nation, daily life in most cities remained calm. Foreigners were surprised by how orderly the situation felt, even in the face of political tension. Similarly, Korea’s quick responses to natural disasters—typhoons, floods, or earthquakes—reinforce the sense that public safety is always a top priority.

Finally, Korea’s cultural values contribute in subtle but important ways. Influenced by Confucian traditions, many Koreans grow up with the belief that causing harm to others is deeply shameful. Community norms emphasize consideration and restraint, reducing tolerance for antisocial behavior. While no society is free from crime, this cultural backdrop helps explain why safety feels so pervasive in Korea.

Conclusion

For many foreigners, the most surprising discovery about Korea is not its music, food, or technology, but its safety. The ability to walk freely at night, the likelihood of recovering lost belongings, and the sight of futuristic policing measures like holograms create a powerful impression.

Of course, challenges remain. Police responses to protests have at times drawn criticism, and debates about political neutrality continue. Yet these issues do not overshadow the broader reality: Korea offers a level of everyday security that is rare in today’s world.

For locals, safety is part of the background of life, so ordinary that it often goes unnoticed. For visitors, it is unforgettable. The contrast between what foreigners expect and what they experience is why Korea’s safety becomes one of the strongest memories they take home.