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Update April 12, 2024

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South Korea

Travel Advisory July 24, 2023

South korea - level 1: exercise normal precautions.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.

Exercise normal precautions in South Korea.

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to South Korea.

If you decide to travel to South Korea:

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.   
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .   
• Review the  Country Security Report  for South Korea.   
• Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel.   
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .    

Embassy Messages

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Quick Facts

Must be valid at time of entry

One page per stamp

No – From April 1, 2023, to December 31, 2024, the Korean Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) is not required for US citizens traveling for short-term business or tourism purposes.

Embassies and Consulates

U.s. embassy seoul.

188 Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03141, Korea Telephone: +(82) (2) 397-4114 (from within Korea, dial 02-397-4114)  DSN:721-4114 Fax: +(82) (2) 397-4101 Email:  [email protected]

U.S. Consulate in Busan

Lotte Gold Rose Building #612, Jungang-daero 993, Jin-gu Busan 47209, Korea Telephone: (+82) 51-863-0731 Email:  [email protected]

The Embassy and Consulate are closed on weekends and on  American and Korean holidays .  Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +82 (2) 397-4114.

Destination Description

Learn about the U.S. relationship to countries around the world.

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

• You must have a valid U.S. passport to enter Korea. From April 1, 2023, to December 31, 2024, the  Korean Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA)  is not required for US citizens for stays of 90 days or less that are for tourism or business purposes.
• Visa required for all other purposes, including employment, teaching English, and for stays longer than 90 days.

Exceeding your authorized stay or not possessing a valid visa may result in detention and fines.

• In the event of an overstay, apply for a visa extension from the  Korea Immigration Service (KIS)  before attempting to leave the country. Also consult with KIS regarding changes in visa category.

Military Personnel/DOD and their families on orders:

• Consult  DOD Foreign Clearance Guide , and follow all instructions.
• Enter Korea with DOD identification and travel orders.
• Do not transit other countries such as China without a passport and appropriate visas.
• Family Members/Dependents of Military Personnel/DOD on orders must present upon arrival passports valid for at least six months .

U.S. Government Executive Branch personnel on official business and DOD personnel assigned to the U.S. Embassy  (Including family members/dependents):

• Employes assigned to Mission Korea should enter Korea with a diplomatic or official passport and a diplomatic or official Korean visa obtained through their sponsoring agency.  Check with your sponsoring agency about other requirements. 
• TDY visitors traveling to Korea for up to 90 days on diplomatic or official passports do  not  require Korean visas and do  not  require a K-ETA. TDY visitors must obtain country clearance using  Department of State's eCC system  or  DOD APACS system .

HIV/AIDS Restriction:  The Department of State is unaware of any such entry restrictions for visitors or foreign residents in Korea.

• Visit the  Embassy of Korea  website for current visa information. Please read our  Customs Information page .

COVID-19 Requirements :

• There are no COVID-related entry requirements for U.S. citizens.
• Travel regulations and restrictions are subject to change, sometimes with little notice. You should review the information available on your nearest Korean Embassy or Consulate’s webpage before traveling.

Safety and Security

Public Demonstrations:  Demonstrations and rallies are common in South Korea, particularly near the U.S. Embassy, Seoul City Hall, and areas surrounding military installations. You should avoid areas where demonstrations are taking place and exercise caution in the vicinity of any large gatherings, protests, or rallies. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence.

North Korea (The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, DPRK):  An armistice agreement, monitored by the United Nations, has maintained general peace on the Korean peninsula since 1953. Tensions occasionally flare up because of provocative acts by North Korea, including ballistic missile and nuclear tests and limited armed incursions into ROK-held territory. Some provocations have escalated into geographically limited skirmishes. South Korea routinely conducts military training exercises and civil defense drills. North Korea often issues strongly-worded and threatening messages, frequently in connection with these exercises. Please see our  Fact Sheet on North Korea .

Weather-related Events:  Heavy rains and flooding may occur during the June - August monsoon season or the May - November typhoon season. See general information about natural disaster preparedness at the U.S.  Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)  website.

Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  ( STEP ):  To receive security messages by email and make it easier to locate you in an emergency, register in STEP. 

If the Embassy becomes aware of any specific and credible threat to the safety and security of U.S. citizens, we will inform you through our website, social media, and email.

Crime:  For most visitors, South Korea remains a very safe country. Common crimes occur more frequently in major metropolitan areas, tourist sites, and crowded markets.

• Take routine safety precautions.
• Pay attention to your surroundings.
• Report any concerns to local police.

Violent crime is not common; however, remain vigilant:

• Exercise caution in crowded entertainment, nightlife, and shopping districts.
• If traveling at night, consider traveling in groups.
• Use legitimate taxis or public transportation only.

Victims of Crime:  Call 112 for emergency assistance or to report a crime to local authorities. Call 02-397-4114 to contact the U.S. Embassy. We can:

• Help you find appropriate medical care;
• Assist you in reporting a crime to police;
• Contact relatives or friends on your behalf;
• Explain Korean judicial procedures in general terms;
• Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution;
• Help you find accommodations and flight arrangements to the United States;
• Replace a lost or stolen passport.

Sexual Assault:   The Embassy regularly receives reports of sexual assault from U.S. citizens. Most cases involved young women assaulted by acquaintances they met on social media, dating, or messaging apps. Alcohol is often involved, and Korea’s low overall crime can create a false sense of security.  Specialized hospital units and police are available in South Korea to assist victims, however services in English and responsiveness to the crime are not always consistent. In general, sex crimes are not punished as harshly in South Korea as in the United States and the road to prosecution is a challenging one for victims.

Domestic Violence:  Victim’s assistance resources or battered women’s shelters exist in Seoul and other urban areas but may be limited in rural areas. Most are government administered and require a police referral. Call 112 for emergency assistance or 1366 to reach Korea’s 24-hour domestic violence hotline. Victims may also contact the Embassy, tel. (+82) 2-397-4114.

Lost or Stolen Passports:  If your passport is stolen, file a report at the nearest police station.

Don't buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if widely available.  It is against South Korean law to purchase these goods and against U.S. law to bring them into the United States. The  Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Division in the U.S. Department of Justice  has more information.

Avoid fraud and scams:  See  Department of State  and  FBI  websites for more information.

Tourism:  The tourism industry is generally regulated and rules with regard to best practices and safety inspections are regularly enforced. Hazardous areas/activities are identified with appropriate signage and professional staff is typically on hand in support of organized activities. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is widely available throughout the country. Outside of a major metropolitan center, it may take more time for first responders and medical professionals to stabilize a patient and provide life-saving assistance. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance. See our webpage for more information on  insurance providers for overseas coverage .

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties:  While in Korea, you are subject to local laws. If you violate Korean laws, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Be aware that:

• Immigration violations can lead to arrest, fines, and deportation.
• There is little tolerance for illegal drugs.
• If you mail illegal drugs to/ from Korea, you will be prosecuted.
• Commercial disputes may lead to criminal charges being filed under local laws.

Be aware that some crimes are prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on  crimes against minors abroad  and the  Department of Justice  website.

Arrest Notification:  If you are arrested or detained, ask officials to notify the Embassy. See our  webpage  for further information.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

Dual Nationality and Military Conscription:  Dual national males (including U.S. service members) may be subject to compulsory military service. If you have family ties to South Korea, consult the nearest Korean Embassy or Consulate or the  Korean Military Manpower Administration  regarding potential citizenship obligations  before entering South Korea .

Passport Seizures and Exit Bans:  If you are involved in a criminal investigation or commercial dispute, authorities may seize your passport and/or block your departure. While we may reissue a passport, we cannot lift an exit ban.

Exit Permits:  Exit permits are not generally required. However, if a parent requests a travel restriction on his/her child, Korean authorities may prevent that child from departing even when traveling with the other parent. As of June 1, 2020, foreigners who are long-term residents of the ROK are required to obtain a re-entry permit four business days prior to departure from Korea. The permits are available online through an e-application at the  www.hikorea.go.kr  website.

International Child Abduction:  See our website for information related to the  prevention of international child abduction . 

Working in South Korea:  If working, including teaching or modeling, you must enter with the appropriate work visa. It is not possible to change your visa status without leaving the country. If you begin work without the appropriate visa, you may be arrested, fined, and/or deported. If you are working without a valid work permit and get into a contractual dispute with your employer, you have little legal recourse.

Students:  See our  Students Abroad  page and  FBI travel tips .

Women Travelers:  See our travel tips for  Women Travelers .

ROK National Security Law:  Authorities may detain, arrest, and imprison persons believed to have committed acts intended to endanger the “security of the state,” including statements deemed to praise the political system and/or officials of the DPRK. 

Customs Regulations: There is strict enforcement of regulations on importing and exporting items such as firearms, narcotics and prescription drugs, non-prescription health supplements, radio equipment, and gold. Importation of materials deemed to be obscene, subversive, or harmful to the public peace is also restricted.

• Amphetamines are illegal in Korea. Do not bring amphetamines or other prescription narcotics into the country without obtaining advance permission in writing from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. See the  U.S. Embassy Seoul, Health Information page .
• Traveling with Pets: See  Korea’s Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency  website.

See the  Korean Customs Regulations website for complete information.

LGBTI Travelers:  Consensual same-sex sexual activity is not criminalized. Korea is a conservative country in regards to LGBTI issues. However, there are an increasing number of LGBTI-oriented clubs, festivals and NGOs advocating for LGBTI issues. The ROK National Human Rights Commission Act prohibits discrimination against individuals because of their sexual orientation, but there are no laws specifying punishment for persons found to have discriminated on this basis. Same-sex marriages are not recognized. Korean citizens can legally change their gender identity.

See   our  LGBTI Travel Information  page and section 6 of the  Department of State's Human Rights report  for further details.

Mobility Issues:  Korean law mandates access to transportation, communication, and public buildings. Cross walks typically have audio and visual signals. Older buildings and streets are generally less accessible than modern ones. Metro cars and buses in Seoul offer priority seating for the disabled and most metro stations have elevators. Metro platforms include Korean Braille information. Contact individual bus companies and subway associations for specific information. Foreign residents are eligible for disability assistance from local ward offices; assistance varies by ward.

Quality of Care : Western-style medical facilities are available in most large cities. However, not all doctors and staff, are proficient in English. A  list of hospitals  and medical specialists who speak English is available on our website. For emergency ambulance service dial 119. Ambulance services are widely available. For information on medical evacuation from South Korea, please see the State Department’s brochure on  Air Ambulance/MedEvac/Medical Escort Providers . 

We do not pay medical bills.  Be aware that U.S. Medicare does not apply overseas. Verify your health insurance coverage before traveling overseas. See our webpage for information on  insurance providers for overseas coverage . In most cases, health care providers will require payment in advance of treatment or will not release a patient until hospital bills are paid. We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to include coverage for medical evacuation.

Medication:  Carry prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription. Most prescription medications, except psychotropic types, can be obtained at Korean pharmacies (brand names often differ). Local pharmacies will require a prescription from a Korean doctor.

Update  vaccinations  recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

For further health information go to:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  (CDC)

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety:  Roads are well-paved, traffic signals functional, and most drivers comply with basic traffic laws. South Korea has a significantly higher traffic fatality rate than the United States. Causes of accidents include excessive speed, frequent lane changes without signaling, running red lights, aggressive bus drivers, and weaving motorcyclists. It is recommended that you photo document any traffic accidents.

Be aware that motorcyclists may drive on sidewalks, and drivers do not always yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks.

Traffic Laws include:

• International driving permit (or ROK license) is required for all drivers.
• Left-hand turns prohibited except with green arrow.
• Seat belts and car seats are mandatory.
• Motorcycle passengers must wear helmets.
• Automobile drivers are presumed to have some fault in accidents involving pedestrians.
• Expect long waits at police stations while police investigate any incidents.
• Police may take your passport or detain you during an investigation.
• Even if negligence is not proven, criminal charges may be filed.
• Blood-alcohol content of 0.03% or higher is considered legally intoxicated.
• Police regularly set up DUI checkpoints. Drivers are required to submit to breathalyzer tests; refusal can result in cancellation of your license.

For information about driver's permits, vehicle inspection, road tax, and mandatory insurance, refer to our  Road Safety page . You may also visit the  Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) website.

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 .

Maritime Travel:  Mariners planning travel to South Korea should check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts at the U.S. Department of Transportation’s  Maritime Security Communications with Industry Web Portal . Information may also be posted to the  U.S. Coast Guard homeport website  and as a broadcast warning on the  National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency’s website .

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

South Korea was cited in the State Department’s 2022 Annual Report to Congress on International Child Abduction for demonstrating a pattern of non-compliance with respect to international parental child abduction. Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in  South Korea.  For additional IPCA-related information, please see the  International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act ( ICAPRA )  report.

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16 things to know before heading to South Korea

Feb 18, 2024 • 10 min read

South Korea’s public-transport choices – including Busan’s Sky Capsule – are the envy of the world. As you plan your trip, count on using the nationwide network © By f11photo / Shutterstock

Has any place been on a run of late like  South Korea ?

The country is on the lips of travelers around the world, thanks to its cutting-edge technology, world-class cuisine, chart-topping pop bands and some of the most exciting movies and TV series being made anywhere. 

Add to all this centuries of tradition and copious natural blessings, all in a country scarcely larger than Ireland, and you’ve got one of the planet’s great travel destinations.

Safe, friendly and possessing superb infrastructure, South Korea is a truly easy – not to mention rewarding – place to explore. Read on for tips to make your visit even easier.

1. Complete your pre-trip registration three days before your flight

Most travelers – including citizens of the US, Australia and the UK – can visit South Korea visa-free for up to 90 days (up to six months for Canadians). You’ll still need to apply for a Korea Electronic Travel Authorization on the K-ETA website , however, at least 72 hours before departure. It’s a simple process, and your K-ETA is valid for two years from the date of approval.

2. Time your visit with the trees

We recommend planning your visit to South Korea for spring or fall , when the peninsula gets its most temperate weather. Bonus points if you can time it to coincide with one of the country’s two periods of arboreal magic. Korea’s cherry blossoms start blooming in mid-March on Jeju-do Island , off the south coast, and typically appear in Seoul in early April. In late October and early November, the leaves of Korea’s many ancient ginkgo trees turn into brilliant golden torches, giving Seoul and other cities a particularly regal look for several weeks.

3. Mind these two major holidays

The two periods that can cause travelers real problems are the multi-day Lunar New Year and Chuseok (fall harvest) holidays. On these two occasions every year, Koreans hit the road en masse, making booking a bus or train ticket nearly impossible. The dates change each year, so be sure to check when these are before making travel plans. 

If you can’t avoid a holiday, base yourself in Seoul or Busan for its duration. Plenty of businesses stay open, and the cities can be surprisingly peaceful with everyone out of town.

4. Take advantage of Korea’s world-class public transportation

Korea’s subways, trains and buses are clean, convenient and efficient . It can sometimes seem like a new station is added to the Seoul metro every month, and the rail and intercity bus networks will take you to every corner of the country. Public transportation is cheap: bus and subway fares in Seoul start at just ₩1250. In all of South Korea, Jeju-do is the only place where renting a car might make sense, and even there it’s probably not necessary.

With plentiful English information and sensible design, public transportation in Korea makes getting from here to there a breeze. To get moving, start by picking up a T-money transit card at a convenience store or from a vending machine in any subway station. Separate kiosks can be used to load money onto your card. Tap your card both when you board and get off the subway or bus. Fares are calculated by distance, so if you forget to tap when disembarking, you’ll be charged more and won’t be able to transfer for free. You can also use T-money cards in most taxis.

When traveling longer distances, it’s simple enough to just buy intercity bus or train tickets at stations. For the high-speed KTX train and some of the more popular routes and times – departing Seoul on Saturday morning, for example – it’s a good idea to purchase in advance. Bus tickets are typically readily available for purchase from machines and counters in bus stations. Buy train tickets on the website of  KORAIL , the national operator.

5. Stay connected with these essential apps

Wi-fi is so prevalent in Korean cities that you can do without a local SIM card, but if you decide that you want one just in case, or if you plan to head to rural areas, the easiest place to pick one up is at one of the many  telecom roaming centers at Incheon Airport upon arrival. You can also rent a phone if you didn’t bring your own.

Helpful apps to download include Naver Map ( iOS and Android ), which works better than Google Maps in South Korea; MangoPlate ( iOS and Android ) for finding restaurants and cafes; Subway Korea for navigating cities’ metro systems; and Kakao T ( iOS and Android ), which is like Uber but for taxis.

6. Get out of town

There are two Koreas. We don’t mean North and South, but rather Seoul and everything else – or, a bit more broadly, urban Korea and rural Korea. The country has a reputation for being a hyper-paced, highly wired pop-culture dynamo, but its hinterlands present a much different picture, and you’d be missing out big time if you skip them. 

The Korean countryside is beautiful, mountains and rivers make for beautiful vistas, and life is lived differently here than in the cities. The population is older – most people under 40 have decamped to the cities – and the pace is slower. At least once on your trip, get out of the cities and immerse yourself in this more traditional side of Korea.

7. Learn your ga , na , da , ra , ma , bas

Basic English is widely understood in Korea by folks under 50, and signage is almost always in both Korean and English. Yet it’s still a good (and respectful) idea to learn a bit of the language. 

Beyond memorizing a few essential Korean words and phrases, learning hangul, the Korean alphabet, is like gaining access to a secret bonus level of Korean travel. If you can sound out the letters, you’ll find that you already know what things like 카페 모카 ( ka-pe mo-ka ), 비빔밥 (bibimbap) and 사우나 ( sa-oo-na ) are. 

Hangul is easy to learn. King Sejong the Great, who oversaw its creation in the 15th century, declared that a wise man could pick it up before noon and even an idiot could learn it in 10 days.  Let’s Learn Hangul  teaches the Korean alphabet in an interactive, easy-to-follow way.

8. Roll with the nudges

Koreans live life in a hurry, and they do so in a densely populated country, so you shouldn’t expect the same sense of personal space or public courtesies you find in your home country. Koreans won’t hold doors open for you or apologize if they bump into you when walking. When getting on or off the subway, they likely won’t say, “Excuse me” – they’ll just nudge you aside. They’re not being rude, though. 

When you live in a city as crowded as Seoul, it’s just not practical to say sorry every time you knock shoulders with someone – you’d be apologizing constantly. This can be maddening to outsiders, but just accept it and roll with the nudges.

9. Be ready to get personal

The typical greeting here is a quick bow – nothing dramatic, just a head nod deep enough for your gaze to meet the floor – but you’ll sometimes be offered a handshake instead. If you are, expect more of a gentle clasp than the old squeeze-and-pump.

You’ll likely be asked questions more personal than you’re accustomed to by someone you just met. At the top of this list is your age. This data point is essential to Koreans, as it informs how they talk to one another: how formal their verb endings should be and whether to use honorifics. Inquiries about marital status, occupation and your opinion of Korea are also common. Answer politely, and feel free to return the question.

10. Wear what you like, but don’t pack anything too risqué

As a traveler, you can feel free to dress for the weather and comfort. Koreans are pretty relaxed about attire, even if they’re more modest than you might expect. If visiting a temple , while shorts are fine, tank tops and miniskirts are not. Both men and women frequently wear t-shirts at the beach (though it’s best to leave the Speedo or thong at home). Korean women almost never wear low-cut tops, and female travelers could find that doing so brings unwelcome looks. Tattoos are now common among young people, yet even still some bathhouses will deny entry if you show any ink.

11. Eat with others and don’t be afraid to shout for service

Eating is a communal activity in Korea, and many restaurants, especially barbecue joints, don’t offer single servings. So if you’re traveling solo, you might either have to drag someone from your hostel along with you (not a tough sell) or loosen your belt and order pork belly for two (poor thing).

At restaurants, servers won’t come check up on you, and most places have call buttons on each table. Give it a push, and someone will be right over. Otherwise, to grab the waitstaff’s attention, raise your hand and shout, “ Yogiyo !” (“Over here!”) Water is usually self-service, and occasionally side dishes are, too. If your server doesn’t set a bottle of water on your table, look around for a water dispenser and stacks of metal cups. At the end of your meal, take the check to the front counter to pay. There’s no tipping.

12. Is North Korea a concern?

Despite international headlines, South Koreans don’t worry about an attack from  North Korea  – and neither should you. Military clashes are very rare, and danger to civilians is rarer still. A guided tour to the  DMZ can be a fascinating and truly find-it-nowhere-else experience. From afar, North Korea can seem almost comical in its eccentricities, but when you’re looking at South Korean soldiers looking at North Korean soldiers looking at you, the geopolitical stakes hit different. Plus, many tours offer what may be your only chance to actually step foot in the world’s most secretive country.

13. Monitor the air quality

Even in post-pandemic times, it’s a good idea to always carry a mask, as air quality can occasionally drop to pretty nasty levels. This is especially true in spring, when dust blown off the deserts of Mongolia and northern China combines with local pollution to create unhealthy air. Download an app like IQAir Air Visual (for iOS or Android ) to keep track of current conditions and the upcoming forecast across the country.

14. You might have to be flexible about your diet

If you have food allergies or a specific diet, you may have a hard time finding places to eat or getting clear information about ingredients. Vegetarianism and veganism are slowly gaining popularity in Korea, but not many restaurants cater to these diets. Even dishes that you might think are vegetarian are often made with anchovy broth or fermented shrimp.  

15. Recognize that LGBTQI+ acceptance still has a long way to go 

While attitudes are slowly changing, Korea remains a conservative society in many respects, and anti-LGBTQI+ prejudice is common. Even so, LGBTQI+ travelers are more likely to be on the receiving end of curious – if misinformed – questions than any sort of open hostility. Public displays of affection are generally frowned upon (though this goes for straight couples, too).

Seoul has small gay districts in Itaweon and Jongno-3-ga, while the Hongdae-Sinchon-Ewha university corridor is another place where LGBTQI+ Koreans feel comfortable being themselves. 

16. Use common sense and keep these numbers handy, just in case

Theft and violent crime are rare in South Korea. Scams and pickpockets targeting travelers are virtually nonexistent, and Koreans typically go out of their way to be hospitable to visitors. Nonetheless – as anyone should anywhere – do exercise basic caution and common sense. South Korea has strict drug laws, and don’t even think about trying to sneak past them. Nightlife often revolves around heavy drinking, so know your limit to avoid putting yourself in a sketchy situation.

If you do have an emergency, call 112 to reach the police, 119 for emergency services or 1330 to reach the Korea Travel Hotline, where an operator will connect you to the appropriate service and serve as an interpreter. That number can also be used to reach the Korea Tourist Police .

This article was first published July 2022 and updated February 2024

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Travel to South Korea

Visa Requirements, Weather, Holidays, Currency, and Travel Tips

TripSavvy / Taylor McIntyre 

Travel to South Korea is on the rise, with over 13 million international tourists arriving in 2015. Most of those travelers take the short flight from neighboring Japan, China, and other places in East Asia. Western travelers who aren't in country for military service , business, or to teach English are still somewhat of a novelty.

Traveling in South Korea can be a unique and rewarding experience that feels removed from the usual stops along the Banana Pancake Trail in Asia .

If you're already on your way to one of the well-trodden places on the trail, many of the cheapest flights to Southeast Asia from the United States pass through Seoul. With a little planning, it's easy enough to tack on an interesting stopover in a new country! Chances are, you'll enjoy what you see and want to come back.

What to Expect When Traveling to South Korea

• Great Food: Korean bibimbap with some spicy kimchi is one of those "different" tastes that you'll miss — and crave — usually when it's the most inaccessible.
• A Tech-Savvy Culture: South Korea boasts the world's fastest internet speeds. There are more mobile phones than people, a cyberwar is continuously being waged with North Korea, and yes, robots are a thing.
• Crowds: South Korea's population density is high, with roughly 1,113 people per square mile. As of 2016, Seoul and the surrounding metropolitan area were home to over 25 million people with nearly 10 million in the city proper. Don't expect a lot of privacy or elbow room in Seoul.
• Compulsory Military: All South Korean males between the ages of 18 and 35 are required to serve in the military. South Korea ranks second in the world for the number of soldiers per capita. The country ranked first? You guessed it: North Korea. Close to 30,000 U.S. soldiers stationed in South Korea help to even the odds.

South Korea Visa Requirements

American citizens can enter and stay in South Korea for 90 days (free) without first applying for a visa. If you remain in South Korea for more than 90 days, you must visit a consulate and apply for an Alien Registration Card.

People wishing to teach English in South Korea must apply for an E-2 visa before arriving. Applicants must pass an HIV test and submit a copy of their academic diplomas and transcripts. Visa rules can and do often change. Check the South Korea embassy website for the latest before you arrive.

South Korea Travel Customs

Travelers can bring up to $400 worth of goods into South Korea without paying duties or taxes. This includes one liter of alcohol, 200 cigarettes or 250 grams of tobacco products. You need to be at least 19 years old to be in possession of tobacco.

All food items and plant/agricultural materials are prohibited; avoid bringing sunflower seeds, peanuts, or other snacks from the flight.

Just to be safe, carry a copy of your prescription, a medical passport, or a doctor's note for all prescription drugs that you bring inside of South Korea.

The Best Time to Travel to South Korea

The monsoon season in South Korea runs from June to September. Typhoons and hurricanes can disrupt travel between May and November. Know what to do in the event of destructive weather. July and August are by far the wettest months in South Korea.

Winters in Seoul can be especially bitter; temperatures often dip well below 19 F in January! The ideal time for travel to South Korea is in the cooler fall months after temperatures have dropped and the rain has stopped.

• See reviews and prices for hotels in Seoul on TripAdvisor .

South Korea Holidays

South Korea has five National Celebration Days, four of which are patriotic events. The fifth, Hangul Day, celebrates the Korean alphabet. As with all big holidays in Asia , plan accordingly to better enjoy the festivities.

In addition to Christmas, New Year's Day, and Korean New Year (Lunar New Year; three days typically beginning the same day as Chinese New Year ) travel to South Korea may be affected during these public holidays:

• March 1: Independence Movement Day
• June 6: Memorial Day
• August 15: Liberation Day
• October 3: National Foundation Day

Korea also celebrates Buddha's Birthday and Chuseok (the harvest festival). Both are based on the lunar calendar; dates change annually. Chuseok is usually around the same time as the autumn equinox in September, or less frequently, early October.

Currency in South Korea

South Korea uses the won (KRW) . The symbol appears as a “W” with two horizontal lines drawn through ( ￦ ).

Banknotes are typically seen in denominations of 1,000; 5,000; 10,000; and 50,000; although older, smaller bills are still in circulation. Coins are available in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, and 500 won.

Don't get scammed while changing money! Check the current exchange rate before you arrive in South Korea.

Travel to South Korea From the United States

Excellent deals for flights to Seoul are usually easy to find, particularly from Los Angeles and New York .

Korean Air is a great airline, consistently among the top 20 airlines in the world, and is also one of the original founders of the SkyTeam alliance. Juicy SkyMiles will rain in abundance after that flight from LAX to Seoul!

The Language Barrier

Although lots of residents in Seoul speak English, many signs, travel-booking websites, and services are only available in the Korean alphabet. Remember, there's a national holiday celebrating the alphabet! The good news is that Seoul maintains a hotline to help travelers with translation and language issues.

Contact the Seoul Global Centre by calling 02-1688-0120, or simply dial 120 from within Korea. The SGC is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The Korea Tourism Organization

The Korea Tourism Organization , or KTO, (dial +82-2-1330) can answer questions and help with your planning for South Korea travel.

The KTO helpline is open 24 hours, 365 days a year.

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The Top Things to Do in Seoul, South Korea

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South Korea Traveler View

Travel health notices, vaccines and medicines, non-vaccine-preventable diseases, stay healthy and safe.

• Packing List

After Your Trip

There are no notices currently in effect for South Korea.

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Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least a month before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need. If you or your doctor need help finding a location that provides certain vaccines or medicines, visit the Find a Clinic page.

Routine vaccines

Recommendations.

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
• Flu (influenza)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Immunization schedules

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please see  Your COVID-19 Vaccination  for more information. 

COVID-19 vaccine

Hepatitis A

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to South Korea.

Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series.

Travelers allergic to a vaccine component or who are younger than 6 months should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on dosage given.

Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to depart to a risk area in less than 2 weeks should get the initial dose of vaccine and at the same appointment receive immune globulin.

Hepatitis A - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep A

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to South Korea. Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may get vaccinated before traveling to South Korea.

Hepatitis B - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep B

Japanese Encephalitis

Recommended for travelers who

• Are moving to an area with Japanese encephalitis to live
• Spend long periods of time, such as a month or more, in areas with Japanese encephalitis
• Frequently travel to areas with Japanese encephalitis

Consider vaccination for travelers

• Spending less than a month in areas with Japanese encephalitis but will be doing activities that increase risk of infection, such as visiting rural areas, hiking or camping, or staying in places without air conditioning, screens, or bed nets
• Going to areas with Japanese encephalitis who are uncertain of their activities or how long they will be there

Not recommended for travelers planning short-term travel to urban areas or travel to areas with no clear Japanese encephalitis season. 

Japanese encephalitis - CDC Yellow Book

Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine for US Children

CDC recommends that travelers going to certain areas of South Korea take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take.

Find  country-specific information  about malaria.

Malaria - CDC Yellow Book

Considerations when choosing a drug for malaria prophylaxis (CDC Yellow Book)

Malaria information for South Korea.

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.

All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according to  CDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel .

Measles (Rubeola) - CDC Yellow Book

South Korea is free of dog rabies. However, rabies may still be present in wildlife species, particularly bats. CDC recommends rabies vaccination before travel only for people working directly with wildlife. These people may include veterinarians, animal handlers, field biologists, or laboratory workers working with specimens from mammalian species.

Rabies - CDC Yellow Book

Tick-borne Encephalitis

Avoid bug bites

Learn more about tick-borne encephalitis at your destination .

Tick-borne Encephalitis - CDC Yellow Book

Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas.

Typhoid - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Typhoid

Yellow Fever

Required if traveling from a country with risk of YF virus transmission and ≥1 year of age. 1

Yellow Fever - CDC Yellow Book

Avoid contaminated water

Leptospirosis

How most people get sick (most common modes of transmission)

• Touching urine or other body fluids from an animal infected with leptospirosis
• Swimming or wading in urine-contaminated fresh water, or contact with urine-contaminated mud
• Drinking water or eating food contaminated with animal urine
• Avoid contaminated water and soil

Clinical Guidance

Airborne & droplet, avian/bird flu.

• Being around, touching, or working with infected poultry, such as visiting poultry farms or live-animal markets
• Avoid domestic and wild poultry
• Breathing in air or accidentally eating food contaminated with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents
• Bite from an infected rodent
• Less commonly, being around someone sick with hantavirus (only occurs with Andes virus)
• Avoid rodents and areas where they live
• Avoid sick people

Tuberculosis (TB)

• Breathe in TB bacteria that is in the air from an infected and contagious person coughing, speaking, or singing.

Learn actions you can take to stay healthy and safe on your trip. Vaccines cannot protect you from many diseases in South Korea, so your behaviors are important.

Eat and drink safely

Food and water standards around the world vary based on the destination. Standards may also differ within a country and risk may change depending on activity type (e.g., hiking versus business trip). You can learn more about safe food and drink choices when traveling by accessing the resources below.

• Choose Safe Food and Drinks When Traveling
• Water Treatment Options When Hiking, Camping or Traveling
• Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene | Healthy Water
• Avoid Contaminated Water During Travel

You can also visit the  Department of State Country Information Pages  for additional information about food and water safety.

Prevent bug bites

Although South Korea is an industrialized country, bug bites here can still spread diseases. Just as you would in the United States, try to avoid bug bites while spending time outside or in wooded areas.

What can I do to prevent bug bites?

• Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
• Use an appropriate insect repellent (see below).
• Consider using permethrin-treated clothing and gear if spending a lot of time outside. Do not use permethrin directly on skin.

What type of insect repellent should I use?

• FOR PROTECTION AGAINST TICKS AND MOSQUITOES: Use a repellent that contains 20% or more DEET for protection that lasts up to several hours.
• Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin)
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD)
• 2-undecanone
• Always use insect repellent as directed.

What should I do if I am bitten by bugs?

• Avoid scratching bug bites, and apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce the itching.
• Check your entire body for ticks after outdoor activity. Be sure to remove ticks properly.

What can I do to avoid bed bugs?

Although bed bugs do not carry disease, they are an annoyance. See our information page about avoiding bug bites for some easy tips to avoid them. For more information on bed bugs, see Bed Bugs .

For more detailed information on avoiding bug bites, see Avoid Bug Bites .

Stay safe outdoors

If your travel plans in South Korea include outdoor activities, take these steps to stay safe and healthy during your trip:

• Stay alert to changing weather conditions and adjust your plans if conditions become unsafe.
• Prepare for activities by wearing the right clothes and packing protective items, such as bug spray, sunscreen, and a basic first aid kit.
• Consider learning basic first aid and CPR before travel. Bring a travel health kit with items appropriate for your activities.
• If you are outside for many hours in the heat, eat salty snacks and drink water to stay hydrated and replace salt lost through sweating.
• Protect yourself from UV radiation : use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, wear protective clothing, and seek shade during the hottest time of day (10 a.m.–4 p.m.).
• Be especially careful during summer months and at high elevation. Because sunlight reflects off snow, sand, and water, sun exposure may be increased during activities like skiing, swimming, and sailing.
• Very cold temperatures can be dangerous. Dress in layers and cover heads, hands, and feet properly if you are visiting a cold location.

Stay safe around water

• Swim only in designated swimming areas. Obey lifeguards and warning flags on beaches.
• Do not dive into shallow water.
• Avoid swallowing water when swimming. Untreated water can carry germs that make you sick.
• Practice safe boating—follow all boating safety laws, do not drink alcohol if you are driving a boat, and always wear a life jacket.

Keep away from animals

Most animals avoid people, but they may attack if they feel threatened, are protecting their young or territory, or if they are injured or ill. Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies.

Follow these tips to protect yourself:

• Do not touch or feed any animals you do not know.
• Do not allow animals to lick open wounds, and do not get animal saliva in your eyes or mouth.
• Avoid rodents and their urine and feces.
• Traveling pets should be supervised closely and not allowed to come in contact with local animals.
• If you wake in a room with a bat, seek medical care immediately.  Bat bites may be hard to see.

All animals can pose a threat, but be extra careful around dogs, bats, monkeys, sea animals such as jellyfish, and snakes. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately:

• Wash the wound with soap and clean water.
• Go to a doctor right away.
• Tell your doctor about your injury when you get back to the United States.

Reduce your exposure to germs

Follow these tips to avoid getting sick or spreading illness to others while traveling:

• Wash your hands often, especially before eating.
• If soap and water aren’t available, clean hands with hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol).
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Try to avoid contact with people who are sick.
• If you are sick, stay home or in your hotel room, unless you need medical care.

Avoid sharing body fluids

Diseases can be spread through body fluids, such as saliva, blood, vomit, and semen.

Protect yourself:

• Use latex condoms correctly.
• Do not inject drugs.
• Limit alcohol consumption. People take more risks when intoxicated.
• Do not share needles or any devices that can break the skin. That includes needles for tattoos, piercings, and acupuncture.
• If you receive medical or dental care, make sure the equipment is disinfected or sanitized.

Know how to get medical care while traveling

Plan for how you will get health care during your trip, should the need arise:

• Carry a list of local doctors and hospitals at your destination.
• Review your health insurance plan to determine what medical services it would cover during your trip. Consider purchasing travel health and medical evacuation insurance for things your regular insurance will not cover.
• Carry a card that identifies, in the local language, your blood type, chronic conditions or serious allergies, and the generic names of any medicines you take.
• Bring copies of your prescriptions for medicine and for eye glasses and contact lenses.
• Some prescription drugs may be illegal in other countries. Call South Korea’s embassy to verify that all of your prescription(s) are legal to bring with you.
• Bring all the medicines (including over-the-counter medicines) you think you might need during your trip, including extra in case of travel delays. Ask your doctor to help you get prescriptions filled early if you need to.

Many foreign hospitals and clinics are accredited by the Joint Commission International. A list of accredited facilities is available at their website ( www.jointcommissioninternational.org ).

Malaria is a risk in some parts of South Korea. If you are going to a risk area, fill your malaria prescription before you leave, and take enough with you for the entire length of your trip. Follow your doctor’s instructions for taking the pills; some need to be started before you leave.

Select safe transportation

Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of healthy US citizens in foreign countries.

Be smart when you are traveling on foot.

• Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks.
• Pay attention to the traffic around you, especially in crowded areas.
• Remember, people on foot do not always have the right of way in other countries.

Riding/Driving

Choose a safe vehicle.

• Choose official taxis or public transportation, such as trains and buses.
• Make sure there are seatbelts.
• Avoid overcrowded, overloaded, top-heavy buses and minivans.
• Avoid riding on motorcycles or motorbikes, especially motorbike taxis. (Many crashes are caused by inexperienced motorbike drivers.)
• Choose newer vehicles—they may have more safety features, such as airbags, and be more reliable.
• Choose larger vehicles, which may provide more protection in crashes.

Think about the driver.

• Do not drive after drinking alcohol or ride with someone who has been drinking.
• Consider hiring a licensed, trained driver familiar with the area.
• Arrange payment before departing.

Follow basic safety tips.

• Wear a seatbelt at all times.
• Sit in the back seat of cars and taxis.
• When on motorbikes or bicycles, always wear a helmet. (Bring a helmet from home, if needed.)
• Do not use a cell phone or text while driving (illegal in many countries).
• Travel during daylight hours only, especially in rural areas.
• If you choose to drive a vehicle in South Korea, learn the local traffic laws and have the proper paperwork.
• Get any driving permits and insurance you may need. Get an International Driving Permit (IDP). Carry the IDP and a US-issued driver's license at all times.
• Check with your auto insurance policy's international coverage, and get more coverage if needed. Make sure you have liability insurance.
• Avoid using local, unscheduled aircraft.
• If possible, fly on larger planes (more than 30 seats); larger airplanes are more likely to have regular safety inspections.
• Try to schedule flights during daylight hours and in good weather.

Helpful Resources

Road Safety Overseas (Information from the US Department of State): Includes tips on driving in other countries, International Driving Permits, auto insurance, and other resources.

The Association for International Road Travel has country-specific Road Travel Reports available for most countries for a minimal fee.

Maintain personal security

Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home, and always stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

Before you leave

• Research your destination(s), including local laws, customs, and culture.
• Monitor travel advisories and alerts and read travel tips from the US Department of State.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) .
• Leave a copy of your itinerary, contact information, credit cards, and passport with someone at home.
• Pack as light as possible, and leave at home any item you could not replace.

While at your destination(s)

• Carry contact information for the nearest US embassy or consulate .
• Carry a photocopy of your passport and entry stamp; leave the actual passport securely in your hotel.
• Follow all local laws and social customs.
• Do not wear expensive clothing or jewelry.
• Always keep hotel doors locked, and store valuables in secure areas.
• If possible, choose hotel rooms between the 2nd and 6th floors.

Healthy Travel Packing List

Use the Healthy Travel Packing List for South Korea for a list of health-related items to consider packing for your trip. Talk to your doctor about which items are most important for you.

Why does CDC recommend packing these health-related items?

It’s best to be prepared to prevent and treat common illnesses and injuries. Some supplies and medicines may be difficult to find at your destination, may have different names, or may have different ingredients than what you normally use.

If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. If you need help finding a travel medicine specialist, see Find a Clinic . Be sure to tell your doctor about your travel, including where you went and what you did on your trip. Also tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling.

If your doctor prescribed antimalarial medicine for your trip, keep taking the rest of your pills after you return home. If you stop taking your medicine too soon, you could still get sick.

Malaria is always a serious disease and may be a deadly illness. If you become ill with a fever either while traveling in a malaria-risk area or after you return home (for up to 1 year), you should seek immediate medical attention and should tell the doctor about your travel history.

For more information on what to do if you are sick after your trip, see Getting Sick after Travel .

Map Disclaimer - The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on maps do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement are generally marked.

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Entry Requirements for South Korea: A Comprehensive Guide for US Travelers

Are you considering a visit to the Republic of South Korea? Now is the perfect time to go, asSouth Korea is celebrating its travel year.From April 1, 2023, to December 31, 2024, US citizens traveling for short-term business ortourism purposes will not need the Korean Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) beforeentering South Korea.This travel guide is packed with helpful information and travel advice to help you make the mostof your visit.

Can US citizens travel to South Korea right now?

What travel documents do american citizens need to enter south korea, can us citizens go to south korea without a passport, can us citizens get a south korean visa on arrival, who can travel to south korea without a visa, how do i obtain or apply for a valid visa for south korea.

How much is a South Korean visa for US citizens

How long is my South Korean visa valid?

What happens if i overstay my visa in south korea, how do i obtain an entry and exit form, what health requirements and screenings are required when entering south korea.

FAQs on South Korea travel requirements Online resources for travelers to South Korea

Online resources for travelers to South Korea

Always travel well-informed with CIBTvisas

Asa US citizen planning to travel to South Korea, you cannot obtain a visa on arrival. US citizens don't require a tourist visa to enter South Korea. Normally, you must apply for a K-ETA before entering Korea for short-term stays. However, that requirementhas been lifted through December 2024.

Travelers planning long-term stays of more than 90 days must obtain a visa from a Korean Government diplomatic office, like the nearest embassy or consulate, before traveling for longer stays or going to South Korea to study or work. Plan ahead and obtain the necessary visa to avoid any inconvenience during your trip

How much is a South Korean visa for US citizens?

The duration of validity for a South Korean visa varies depending on the type of visa that has been granted. The K-ETA visa is valid for two years from the date of issuance and includes an automatic reentry permit. Travelers can make multiple trips to visit South Korea for short-term(90-day) stays within its validity period. Be sure to review your visa details for precise trave linformation and validity.

An entry and exit form is not required for US citizens traveling to South Korea.

There are currently no special requirements or screenings to enter Korea. Travelers should check the CDC’s travel guidance on South Korea for updates.

Vaccinations

Travelers to South Korea are not required to receive mandatory vaccinations. However, it is generally recommended that most travelers get vaccinated for diseases such as hepatitis A andB, typhoid, and rabies. To determine which vaccinations you may need and for other travel health tips, consult the CDC's recommendation .

Prescriptions

As a traveler, you can bring prescription drugs for personal use into Korea. You should carry adoctor's note or prescription and ensure the medicine is in its original packaging.If you need medication while in Korea, you must visit a local doctor and obtain a prescription before it can be filled by a Korean pharmacy. While Korean pharmacies do sell mostprescription medications (even though the brand names may differ), they may not have psychotropics available.

Since COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted, there are no COVID-19 testing, vaccination, orquarantine requirements for entry into South Korea. According to the CDC, internationaltravelers should be up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations before traveling abroad. Because the COVID-19 situation could change with little or no notice, travelers are advised tocheck theSouth Korean Disease Control and Prevention Agency for updates before departing. A list of some COVID-19 testing facilities in South Korea and further information can be found on the Korean Embassy website , should travelers need testing for travel to other countries.

FAQs on South Korea travel requirements

Do i need to wear a mask in south korea.

Per the current COVID-19 guidelines, wearing a mask in public places is voluntary in majorcities in South Korea, except in certain hospitals and other medical care facilities. However,many South Koreans still wear masks outdoors and on public transport.

Are restaurants and bars open in South Korea?

Restaurants and bars are open in South Korea and operating normally.

Will my phone work in South Korea?

Most US carriers work in South Korea, but roaming charges may apply. Check with your service provider for data, text, and voice roaming charges. You can buy a local SIM card on arrival atSouth Korean airports or at a local shop. High-speed Wi-Fi is readily available in South Korea.Keeping your phone in flight mode and using Wi-Fi to connect is a cost-effective alternative to roaming.

What kind of plugs do I need in South Korea?

South Korea uses type C and F plugs, as found in Europe. US travelers willneed a traveladapter. The standard voltage is 220V, and the standard frequency is 60Hz. You may also want to pack a power converter if you use any electrical devices that aren’t rated for dual voltage.

What should I wear in South Korea?

South Korea is modern and cosmopolitan. People dress smartly and well in professional settings, and there is a general preference for modest dress. It is especially advisable to dress modestly when visiting religious sites.

Can I smoke or drink alcohol in public in South Korea?

Smoking is prohibited in many public places and only permitted in designated areas. Drinking in public is allowed, but public drunkenness is frowned upon by local authorities. Local laws impose fines and penalties for causing disruptions to the public peace. To avoid visiting the local police station, it’s best to drink in moderation.

Is it safe for LGBTQ+ travelers in South Korea?

Although younger generations in South Korea are increasingly tolerant, many gays and lesbians still opt to keep their sexual orientation hidden from their families and employers. Those who choose to publicly share their orientation while traveling in South Korea should be prepared for possible negative reactions

Online resources for travelers to South

• US Department of State: International Travel to South Korea
• US CDC Traveler’s Health: South Korea
• Embassy of South Korea in the US: Visa Guidance
• Korean Disease Control and Prevention Agency: Public Health News and Alerts
• South Korea Tourism: Visit Korea

Make sure your travel documentation is in order, and get ready to immerse yourself in South Korea's vibrant mix of tradition and innovation. An experienced visa specialist can help you navigate the complexities of border crossing requirements. Contact CIBTvisas for a quote today.

Anjeonhan yeohaeng doeseyo! Safe travels!

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공지 Checklist for foreigners entering Korea

Checklist for Foreigners travelling to the Republic of Korea

For all foreigners who wish to travel to Korea short or long term, please read the below information regarding entry and Covid19 regulations.  Currently there are no PCR test or quarantine requirements for people entering Korea  including unvaccinated people. However, you may be subject to a 7-day quarantine or restriction of movement if you are tested positive/diagnosed COVID during your stay in Korea, as accordance with the Korean health rules.  ​

​ 1.  T here are no Covid 19 requirements at present for entry to Korea:  Pre-departure Negative PCR test certificate  and Mandatory 7 day entry quarantine are  NOT  required. 

※ For those who are flying into Korea from China, please check the Korean Embassy in China website for Covid requirements. 

2. (Mandatory) K-ETA or Valid Visa

o From April 2022 , nationals of visa waiver countries or designated visa-free countries must obtain K-ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) before entering The Republic of Korea. Please visit  this link  for more information.

​For entry to Korea, all foreigners must have a K-ETA or a valid visa to enter Korea. The K-ETA process will take around 72 hours and the result will be sent to your email address directly. Please have the printed hard copy ready.

Irish nationals are eligible to enter and stay in Korea for up to 90 days with a K-ETA for tourist purpose.

​※You do not need a K-ETA if you have a valid visa to enter Korea.  

※ The Embassy can not solve or answer K-ETA related questions. Please inquire the K-ETA Q&A page.    

​3. (Recommended) Q-code system

Using the Q-code system  is recommended for all people entering Korea to upload their health condition before their entry to Korea for a easier and faster entry. It can be all done online within 15 minutes. If you are unable to do so online before entry to Korea, you will have to manually insert the information after you land in Korea. 

4. After-entry Covid test will not be required from 1st of October. 

Day 1 PCR test will not be mandatory from people entering Korea from the 1st of October. Korean and foreigners who wish to get a Covid test, may visit the Public Health center of their resident area to get a test free of charge. 

• 관련 링크 Q-Code Information https://cov19ent.kdca.go.kr/cpassportal/biz/beffatstmnt/QuarantineMeasuresByType.do

South Korea Entry Requirements for U.S. Citizens

Apply online for a south korea visa from the usa.

If you’re an American citizen traveling to South Korea, you must meet the country’s entry requirements for your nationality. This may include having the correct documentation, like a visa or visa waiver.

The South Korean visa waiver from the U.S. is available online . U.S. passport holders can apply for the Korea ETA in minutes.

Important information about South Korean entry requirements for American citizens and the K-ETA can be found below.

Documents Required for Americans to Enter South Korea

U.S. citizens traveling to South Korea without a visa must have the following documents:

Valid U.S. passport

Return or onward travel ticket

Americans are also eligible to enter with a K-ETA visa waiver . Though this is not a mandatory document, U.S. visitors with an ETA are exempt from submitting an arrival card.

Travel to South Korea from the United States

Depending on the time of year, there are direct flights to Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN) from several U.S. cities including:

• New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
• San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
• Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
• Minneapolis Saint Paul Airport (MSP)

Passengers on flights from the U.S. to Korea no longer need to fill out an arrival card if they are traveling with a K-ETA. Border checks are also faster thanks to visa waiver pre-screening.

U.S. Embassy Registration for Travelers in South Korea

American travelers are strongly advised to register with the U.S. Embassy in South Korea. U.S. nationals who sign up for the service can be sent important South Korea travel information by the government.

Embassy Registration can help tourists plan a safe trip to South Korea and stay up to date with the latest advisories.

It also ensures the traveler can be easily reached in the unlikely event of an emergency in South Korea or back home.

U.S. passport holders can register with the U.S. Embassy in South Korea when applying for their ETA through this site . Applicants will find the option to opt-in on the payment page.

South Korean Embassy in the United States

U.S. citizens who apply for the K-ETA do not need to go to a South Korean Embassy . Americans can complete the process online and receive the approved permit by email.

If the ETA does not fit your travel plans, or you wish to stay for longer than the visa-free time period, you’ll need to get a visa at an embassy.

The Republic of Korea Embassy in the United States is located at the following address:

2450 Massachusetts Avenue N.W., 20008 DC, Washington, United States

FAQ About US Citizens Traveling to South Korea

Can u.s. citizens travel to south korea.

U.S. citizens can visit South Korea as long as they have the relevant documents for their trip. Americans need a valid passport and South Korea visa waiver if they wish to be exempt from an arrival card.

Can U.S. citizens get a visa on arrival in South Korea?

No, Americans cannot get a visa on arrival in South Korea. Travel visas are only available at the South Korean Embassy.

Can U.S. passport holders visit South Korea without a visa?

U.S. citizens can visit South Korea without a visa and stay for up to 90 days with just their passport. With the optional K-ETA, they can avoid completing an arrival card.

Can a US green card holder travel to South Korea?

Us green card holders can travel to South Korea, providing they have the correct documents. Visitors with a green card can stay for up to 30 days visa-free , providing South Korea is not their final destination.

Find cheap flights to South Korea from $424

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a kayak user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from the united states to south korea departing on 9/12. fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. click the price to replicate the search for this deal., search hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to south korea.

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Good to know

Faqs - booking south korea flights, which nearby cities are accessible to visitors arriving at the gimpo international airport (gmp) in south korea.

Travelers are able to explore a few additional sites close to GMP Airport. You can take a taxi, hire a car, or take public transit from the GMP Airport to the adjacent cities of Bucheon, Gwangmyeong, Goyang, and Incheon. Each of the aforementioned cities' central business districts are fewer than 19 miles from GMP.

If I want to be close to sporting events in South Korea, which airport should I use as my arrival point?

When visiting South Korea, American sports enthusiasts should think about flying into Gimhae International Airport (PUS). Busan Asiad Main Stadium, Gudeok Stadium, and Sajik Baseball Stadium are stadiums close to PUS that hosts international and domestic sporting events, particularly on weekends.

Are there any specific services or rules for bringing pets on the flight to KR0 from USO?

Yes. When traveling to South Korea on the USO-KR0 route, passengers do not need to worry about the security of their dogs. The majority of US airports, like Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and JFK, that provide USA-South Korea flights permit visitors to enter the airport with their pets.

Which airport in the northwest of the United States has the most visitors going to South Korea?

The majority of Americans traveling from the country's northwest to South Korea prefer to fly through Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). Unfortunately, there are currently no direct flights connecting SEA with KR0. Passengers can only take indirect flights.

Are there nonstop flights to South Korea?

There are several nonstop flights to South Korea from US cities like Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco, Honolulu, Chicago, New York and other major cities, but only if you’re traveling to Seoul. Flying to other areas in Korea from the US will involve at least one stop, with common layover points including Seoul, Taipei and Hong Kong.

Is a visa necessary to visit South Korea?

United States citizens can visit South Korea for up to 90 days without a visa; however, you must present a passport that’s valid for the entire duration of your stay when you arrive in South Korea.

Where should I fly into South Korea to be convenient to Japan?

If you’ll be traveling on to Japan after spending time in South Korea, flying to Busan will set you up for a convenient onward flight. Busan is located on the southern coast of South Korea and is located only 519 mi away from Japan. Flights between Busan and Fukuoka are generally less than 1h long and operate via Air Busan, Korean Air and Jeju Air.

Which Seoul airport should I fly into?

There are two large airports in Seoul: Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN) and Gimpo Airport (GMP). Incheon is a little further away from Seoul than Gimpo, but you’re unlikely to find a flight from the United States that arrives in Gimpo, often making it the only choice unless you’re making a stop between the US and South Korea.

How long is the flight to South Korea?

An average nonstop flight from the United States to South Korea takes 17h 36m, covering a distance of 6475 miles. The most popular route is Los Angeles - Incheon with an average flight time of 12h 55m.

What is the cheapest flight to South Korea?

The cheapest ticket to South Korea from the United States found in the last 72 hours was $468 one-way, and $646 round-trip. The most popular route is Los Angeles to Incheon Intl and the cheapest round-trip airline ticket found on this route in the last 72 hours was $840.

Which airlines fly to South Korea?

Korean Air, Delta & Asiana Airlines fly the most frequently from the United States to South Korea.

What are the most popular destinations in South Korea?

The next most popular destinations are Busan (1%) and Daegu (0.5%). Searches for flights to Jeju City (0.2%), to Cheongju (0.1%) and to Ulsan (0.0%) are also popular.

How does KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy?

KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a given destination and date is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

Top tips for finding cheap flights to South Korea

• Enter your preferred departure airport and travel dates into the search form above to unlock the latest South Korea flight deals.
• The majority of Americans who visit South Korea choose to fly through John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). This airport is well-liked since it serves as a hub for so many reputable airlines that fly internationally from the United States. Due to pricing competition, travelers departing from this airport for South Korea are likely to receive ticket discounts.
• If your flight from the US is planned to land in South Korea at night and you're taking the Incheon International Airport (ICN) from the JFK route, you might want to think about reserving a hotel next to the ICN Airport. Choosing the Incheon Airport Transit Hotel, located at Terminal 1, is one of the best considerations. This airport provides a complimentary shuttle service to and from ICN Airport.
• The best option for US parents who want to take their kids on holiday to South Korea is likely to be a flight on Korean Air 86, Asiana 221, or Korean Air 82 through JFK to ICN. Non-stop flights from the USA to South Korea are available year-round from this airport. There is a lower likelihood that your children will be exhausted before landing in South Korea from the USA thanks to the availability of direct flights, which make it possible for travelers to get there in the minimum period of time.
• The best spot for travelers to unwind while waiting for a flight to their intended destinations is in airport lounges. The majority of low-cost American passengers who want to unwind in an airport lounge on their way to South Korea opt to depart through Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC). Travelers on a tight budget can comfortably relax at Delta Sky Club at the SLC Airport, which provides first-rate amenities at a competitive price.
• Passengers suffering from mobility challenges need to think about departing from JFK Airport and landing at Jeju International Airport (CJU) when going to South Korea. Visitors with particular requirements and mobility issues can request free aid with their bags, medical support, plus wheelchair transfer from a cab to an aircraft at JFK and CJU Airports.
• When you’re booking your flight to South Korea from the US, there are a few different cities you can fly into. Seoul and Busan are the biggest cities in South Korea, making them popular choices to fly into. Flying into Seoul will give you better access to northern South Korea and Busan will give you better access to southern South Korea.
• While some hotels in South Korea may accept US Dollars, you can often get a better rate by using the country’s local currency: The South Korean Won. Visa and Mastercard are accepted by most businesses, though it can be handy to have some cash on hand for street vendors and other instances where cards aren’t readily accepted.
• For travelers looking to visit the border with North Korea, you’ll benefit by flying into Seoul. Most of the international flight traffic from South Korea to the United States comes through Seoul and flying there puts you in close proximity to the DMZ. From Seoul you can take the designated DMZ Peace Train straight to the Demilitarized Zone.
• If you’re looking to fly into a city where you can have equal access to the rest of South Korea, it can be handy to fly into Daegu. Not only is Daegu a popular destination and a major South Korean city, it is located conveniently towards the center of the country.
• Jeju Island is one of South Korea’s most popular tourist destinations outside of the major cities, and there are a few different ways to get there. You can take a flight to Jeju from the US, with a likely layover in Taipei or Seoul, or you can fly to Busan and take a ferry the rest of the way.

Top 5 airlines flying to South Korea

The flight crews were extremely professional, helpful, and courteous. Departure and arrival times were accurate. No delay. I will use K airline again. Thanks

We were seated at the back and that was very uncomfortable for me with the turbulence we experienced on our way to Chicago.

I enjoyed flying on Korean Air. The service was great and the food was yummy. They served white fish.

I enjoyed flying on Korean Air. The service was great and the food was yummy, especially the bibimbap and cold spicy noodles. The only thing that bummed me out on this red-eye flight was that my seat did not properly recline so I was not able to sleep.

On time and flight crew are always so happy to help and always smiling unlike other airlines.

Great crew, decent food Charging plugs were broken on both seats next to me. Only the USB port was available, and that charges, very, very slowly. Seat was also broken, it would not lock into position when reclining.

Korean Air had great service and the Bibimbap dish was the best airplane food I’ve ever had. It was a long flight so in between the two meals they served customers could get Shin ramen. The flight attendants let my children use a pair of nice headphones for the flight and had earbuds and slippers for all the adults. The flight was long but the time passed by relatively quickly because they have many great shows in their entertainment TV. I watched the BTS Love Yourself and Speak Yourself concerts 💜

Stewardess are nice. Food could have been better and should have a better dessert. They do not offer scotch or beer. You have to ask for it. I also was not happy that you do not serve ginger ale and or cranberry juice. This is my first time that an international flight do not have this. I go home overseas every year and when I travel through ANA, Delta, Qatar, JAL, Asiana Air, United Air. they all serve this two very famous drink. You do not have a great snack tray.

You did not put me on a Korean Air flight! so I do not have nothing to say

Wonderful cabin crew!!!!! Food was poor, in flight entertainment was just ok. They need to serve more water on a 15 hour flight--we were dehydrated and kept asking for water.

Plane and service were great. The entertainment is only for Koreans. Wish there were vegetarian options for food. All in all pleasantly surprised. Economy premium was quite good.

This form doesn’t work. Can’t type in, had to copy-paste. The crew constantly telling everyone about minor things is unnecessary. Did you put the belt on, push your bag more under the seat… The seat space was good for tall people, the food was decent for airplane.

Roomy seats for the given price! I couldn’t ask more!

Great airline, but there was no English entertainment (movies or shows)

Check-in was an absolute disaster, taking more than an hour and half because they offered no online check-in and Kiosks were not available to use. In-flight entertainment was exclusively Korean media with a selection of only 5 or 6 movies to choose from. Korean television shows were also available. The food was lackluster. My chicken and tomatoes had 3 small pieces of chicken next to a mountain of soggy wedge potato fries. The seats were more comfortable than other airlines I’ve flown with and the staff aboard was extremely pleasant and helpful.

One of our luggage items was damaged during our flight to Newark from Incheon. Although our email communication was not responded to, when discussing the matter with the staff at the Newark checkin before our return flight to Incheon, we were provided with a free replacement luggage item. This customer service was, overall, very satisfactory.

I would have enjoyed some hot tea, preferably green tea, but they only serve hot coffee.

10 Hours delay on departure of the return flight and in-flight Wi-Fi was not available entire flying time all that caused monetary loss to my business.

Some favorite food ran out of service and I have to eat what was left available. Also I had to drink cold red wind! Why could not have been kept in room temperature?

It was a good flight, with great crew and service. I will definitely fly with them again. Excellent experience and very friendly. Excellent value.

Flight attendants rude, they disappear for almost 3 hours not doing rounds to see what people needed. The laboratories were full of empty water cups, because they never come back to collect them.

Flew on an Airbus 350-900. Excellent aircraft properly cleaned and serviced. Flight crew was excellent plane departed and arrived on time. The A350 has excellent air circulation far better than the 777. I would recommend Asiana to anyone looking to fly in a clean comfortable environment. This is my second round trip flight from New York to Bangkok via Asiana and I will book Asiana again!

I could not choose my seat prior to check in

I had the most wonderful experience from CEB bag drop through deplaning. The staff, the aircraft, food, and cabin crew were all amazing. I want to give a kudos to Marky from Mactan Cebu's Asiana airport staff for his exceptional customer service and assistance.

JetBlue's check-in was great, but there was an in-flight attendant who was very rude and unkind. I didn't realize that the bathrooms were already locked 30 mins prior to landing and needed to use the restroom. Instead of politely asking me to return, she rudely told me, 'NO, bathrooms are locked! Go back to your seat!' The JetBlue flight was more than an hour delay, which made me almost miss my connecting flight with Asiana. I understand the reasoning, but the action they took to get a hold of maintenance was time consuming. It took them more than 30 mins to get a hold of maintenance and for maintenance to get started. The Asiana flight and crew were wonderful, in general. They waited for us who were delayed from the previous flight before they took off and were very kind to take my checked baggage's info. Seats were a little uncomfortable for such long flight, but service and flight attendants were great! However, my 3 checked baggages are missing! They're lost somewhere in the transition. I'm writing this review 3 days after my arrival to the Philippines, and my 3 checked baggages, where my wedding dress is, are all still missing! I and the CEB airport crew have sent multiple emails to both JetBlue and Asiana, and neither has responded to any of our emails. Although, I was able to get in contact with JetBlue's Interline Department who confirmed that the bags were turned over to Asiana without confirmation details.

The full flat bed was not that comfortable, hard and lumpy., too much space wasted with those bulky walls and divisions instead of making the bed 3-4 inches wider. The compartment where you put your feet is like a shoebox, poor design. Toilets of A350 are just too small, sink is too small

Aside from a LOT of turbulence the flight was perfect! The flight crew was superb and the food was delicious!

The seats (legroom) are tight and chairs cushion is stiff (not comfortable). The crew was courteous, professional and friendly. There was no food / snack for this flight (very short flight, but still would be nice to provide some snack for the enjoyment).

FA were very great, plane was A350 new and clean

The crew attended to my needs and the foods served are delivious.

Everything was great except for the seat. The backrest would not stay in the upright position.

I usually have a positive experience with Delta. Complimentary upgrades are always nice!

Flight delayed about 2 hrs so it made it a VERY late night

The crew, food, and entertainment were all good. But my screen had some sort of bug where if I turned it off, it would turn back on after 2-5 minutes. At full brightness. It made it very hard to get any shut-eye on the overnight flight. Also, the older Boeing plane, while nicely cared for (and no doors fell off 😅👏) doesn't have the nice air quality of newer planes. So I felt a bit greasy by the time we landed in Sweden.

It was a crowded flight. They did the best they could.

Service was good for such a short flight. Small plane but smooth flight.

Worst flight in my life. Only was scheduled for a 45 min flight to get our connection flight. It was late by 40 minutes and we missed our connection. Delta was totally useless trying to help and unable to get my family on the next flight because they overbooked it Thus had to get a hotel at my expense and lost a day at Disney as a result. Cost me about a $1000 if you add 2 hotels meals shuttles etc to get thru the day Awful customer service by Delta in Detroit totally useless people

The experience was good and the flight departed on time and landed early

The flight was delayed but we got to our final destination.

Boarding was great. The flight landed early. It took the crew over an hour and a half to bring out drinks. I paid to upgrade my seat to Comfort+ only to be near a crying/screaming baby who was seldom quiet. Noise-cancelling earbuds didn’t even help. Waste of money to upgrade.

Plane took off without me, my stepdad and a dozen other passengers. It went from an hour delay to boarding in 15 montures without notifying anyone. Names were not called overhead. Now I’m missing a day of work and stuck in Charolette overnight paying for a hotel and Ubers out of pocket

I arrived to the airport 2 hours before my American Airlines flight was scheduled to take off. I have TSA pre-check. The airport was crazy packed when I arrived. After momentarily standing in the pre-check line, the TSA agent said that I am not pre-check. Of course I said that I am because I entered my KTN number on all my traveling sites and programs. I had to get out of line and go back to the AA counter to discover that American Airlines did not add my KTN to my boarding pass. I had to call TSA to find out my number, then have AA enter it onto my boarding pass. The emblem would not load onto my boarding pass. By this time, I decided to use my Clear in order to get through TSA but the line was ridiculous long. By the time I made through TSA, I missed my 11:08am flight and was re-booked for the 5:30pm. This is after the AA employee told me I should have gotten to the airport early. AA use to be a dependable airline not I use them only if I have too.

Average - flew with Jet Blue internal and it was far more comfortable and better food and entertainment. Notable difference

Flight from SBP to DFW 1. They rerouted us through PHX 2. Delayed flight out of SBP for 3 hrs so we missed our connection Downgrade on rerouted flight. Back of the plane, center seats, didn't sit together 4. Return flight out of DFW same exact thing. Delayed, missed connection, Downgrade + they lost our luggage! A complete mess.

On the new 319 NEO? seatback entertainment system did not work even when the flight attendant rebooted it. At least I had my cell phone to connect with wifi.

Good flights. Departure and arrivals were on time. DFW was a little problematic in that the Skytrain without prior notice bypassed the Echo terminal so that delayed my arrival at my connecting flight.

Do not eat the bagel! Otherwise, good albeit late, breakfast in first. Boarding downgrade only because flight was delayed due to plane change due to undisclosed problem with original aircraft. I did not use entertainment.

Because I can’t stand very long in one place, I was allowed to reword.

It was a good flight. Of course it was full, but it went well.

Overall the flights pretty good. The snacks we’re good and they were plenty of them. Both boarding and deplaning went quickly.

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The Best Ways To Fly to South Korea With Points and Miles [Step-by-Step]

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Nonstop Flights Between the U.S. and South Korea

All nippon airways (ana) mileage club, emirates skywards, alaska mileage plan, avianca lifemiles, air canada aeroplan, korean air skypass, other options to fly to korea, final thoughts.

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Known for its fantastic culture, delicious street food, and beautiful nature, South Korea is a destination high on many travelers’ bucket lists. The country is relatively easy to get to from the U.S. as there are plenty of nonstop flights to Korea’s largest and capital city, Seoul.

However, traveling to Asia from the United States can get expensive. Fortunately, there are ways to get around this.

In this guide, we will look into the best ways to fly to Korea using points and miles. We will look at award programs in each of the 3 main airline alliances and what airlines you can fly using those points and miles.

South Korea is the second-closest East Asian country to the U.S., behind only Japan . Furthermore, South Korea represents an important business hub for many Americans. Fortunately, there are many ways to fly to South Korea with points and miles.

From the U.S., there are more than 10 airports that have nonstop routes to Korea’s capital and biggest city, Seoul. These routes are operated primarily by Korea’s 2 biggest airlines: Asiana Airlines and Korean Air. However, there are also some routes on U.S. carriers, including Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, American Airlines, and Hawaiian Airlines.

All 3 of the main airline alliances are represented in this guide: Star Alliance , Oneworld , and SkyTeam . However, there is more representation from Star Alliance and SkyTeam, as Asiana is a member of Star Alliance and Korean Air is a member of SkyTeam.

Here are all of the airlines and the nonstop flights they offer between the U.S. and Incheon International Airport (ICN) in Seoul, South Korea:

American Airlines

• Dallas (DFW) – Seoul (ICN)

Asiana Airlines

• Honolulu (HNL) – Seoul (ICN)
• Seattle (SEA) – Seoul (ICN)
• San Francisco (SFO) – Seoul (ICN)
• Los Angeles (LAX) – Seoul (ICN)
• Las Vegas (LAS) – Seoul (ICN)
• New York (JFK) – Seoul (ICN)

Delta Air Lines

• Minneapolis (MSP) – Seoul (ICN)
• Atlanta (ATL) – Seoul (ICN)
• Detroit (DTW) – Seoul (ICN)

Hawaiian Airlines

• Chicago (ORD) – Seoul (ICN)
• Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) – Seoul (ICN)
• Boston (BOS) – Seoul (ICN)
• Washington (IAD) – Seoul (ICN)

United Airlines

Best Programs for Booking Flights to South Korea

Now that we have taken a look at what airlines operate nonstop routes to Korea, let’s also look at which programs are best to use for award redemptions.

As is with most award redemptions to Asia, we will first start with ANA Mileage Club. The program offers a ton of value, including numerous transfer partners, some of the best redemption rates, and the ability to book stopovers. ANA only allows round-trip redemptions and does pass on fuel surcharges to most partner airlines.

With ANA being a member of Star Alliance, you have the option of flying Asiana Airlines or United Airlines to South Korea. You could also fly ANA itself, but that would require a connection through Tokyo. For this guide, we will just focus on the nonstop routes on Asiana and United.

ANA has a few award charts, including a separate award chart for partner awards. Partner award prices do not fluctuate based on the season, unlike on ANA’s own flights.

On its award chart, ANA places South Korea in Zone 2 and the U.S. in Zone 6. Here is the round-trip award pricing between the two zones:

These are some of the best rates for any award, especially in premium cabins. For example, the 95,000 points ANA charges for round-trip awards between the U.S. and South Korea is less than what many other programs charge for a one-way award.

However, it is worth noting that ANA does pass along fuel surcharges, which can make the award redemptions not worth pursuing in some cases.

Generally, you get the most value primarily when redeeming for business class. A lot of the value in economy is diminished by the cost of taxes and fees.

Here are some examples of routes you can take:

• Los Angeles (LAX) – Seoul (ICN) round-trip for 95,000 ANA miles + taxes and fees for Asiana business class
• New York (JFK) – Seoul (ICN) round-trip for 95,000 ANA miles + taxes and fees for Asiana Smartium business class
• San Francisco (SFO) – Seoul (ICN) round-trip for 95,000 ANA miles + taxes and fees for United Polaris business class

ANA’s website enables award bookings to be completed online. Follow these steps to do so:

• Go to ANA’s website .
• Click ANA Mileage Club on the top-right side of the homepage.
• Click  International,  then  Award Reservation . Log in with your ANA Mileage Club number and password.
• Type in the desired cities, dates of travel, number of passengers, and cabin class. After that information is filled out, click  Search . (ANA transfer times are not instant. Be sure to account for this when booking award flights.)
• Finish your booking by paying for any taxes and fees.

Earning ANA Mileage Club Miles

ANA Mileage Club is a transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy.

Amex is a 1:1 transfer partner with ANA and is one of the easiest ways to earn a lot of ANA miles . Transfers typically take 2 to 3 business days to complete.

Marriott Bonvoy transfers to ANA at a 3:1 ratio and can take up to 7 business days. You also receive an additional 5,000 ANA miles for every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points transferred.

Recommended Amex Cards (Personal)

The Platinum Card ® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card ® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card  is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access , hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
• Annual and monthly statement credits upon enrollment ( airline credit, Uber Cash credit, Saks Fifth Avenue credit, streaming credit, prepaid hotel credit on eligible stays, Walmart+ credit, CLEAR credit, and Equinox credit )
• TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit
• Access to American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts
• Access to Amex International Airline Program
• No foreign transaction fees ( rates and fees )
• $695 annual fee ( rates and fees )
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)
• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards ® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card ® , Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards ® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards ® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts ® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card ® . The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card ® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card ® . Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Up Benefits are excluded.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card ® .
• $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
• $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits per calendar year on an Equinox membership, or an Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you pay with your Platinum Card ® . Enrollment required. Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.
• $189 CLEAR ® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR Plus at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card ® . Learn more.
• $100 Global Entry Credit: Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck ® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card ® . Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card ® . That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• $300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit: Get a $300 statement credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike with your Platinum Card ® . An Equinox+ subscription is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. Enrollment Required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card ® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

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• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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American Express Membership Rewards

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• Amex Platinum vs Delta Reserve

American Express ® Gold Card

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

The American Express ® Gold Card  is a game-changer.

With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x.

There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.

• 4x points per dollar at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
• 4x points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases; and 1x thereafter
• 3x points per dollar on flights purchased directly from airlines or at Amex Travel
• Up to $120 annual dining credit: up to $10 monthly statement credit when you pay with the Amex Gold card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com , Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations
• Up to $120 in annual Uber Cash : get $10 monthly in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S. when you add your Gold Card to your Uber account
• No foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees )
• Access to Amex’s The Hotel Collection
• Access to American Express transfer partners
• $250 annual fee (see rates and fees )
• No lounge access
• Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards ® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards ® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards ® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards ® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
• $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
• $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express ® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
• Get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by property.
• Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Annual Fee is $250.
• Find the Amex Gold 75k or 90k Welcome Bonus Offer
• Benefits of the Amex Gold
• Upgrade Amex Gold to Amex Platinum
• Amex Gold Benefits for Military
• Amex Gold vs Blue Cash Preferred
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• Amex Gold vs Delta Gold

Recommended Amex Cards (Business)

The Business Platinum Card ® from American Express

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

The Business Platinum Card ® from American Express is a premium travel rewards card tailored toward business owners who are frequent travelers with a high number of annual expenses.

When you factor in the large number of perks that the card offers like the best airport lounge access at over 1,400 lounges , along with tons of annual credits, it’s easy to see why this card can is a top option for frequent traveling business owners.

Hot Tip:  Check to see if you’re eligible for a huge welcome bonus offer of up to 170,000 points with the Amex Business Platinum. The current public offer is 120,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

• 5x Membership Rewards points per $1 on flights and prepaid hotels at Amex Travel
• Up to $200 annual airline fee credit on your selected qualifying airline
• Statement credits on select purchases with your card
• 35% airline bonus when using Pay With Points (up to 1,000,000 bonus points per calendar year)
• Access to over 1,400 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
• Get 50% more Membership Rewards points (1.5 points per $1) on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more (cap applies)
• Access to Amex’s Fine Hotels & Resorts program
• High annual fee of $695 ( rates and fees )
• Airline fee credit does not cover airfare, only incidentals like checked bags
• Welcome Offer: Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards ® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with your Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
• 5X Membership Rewards ® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
• Earn 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year.
• Unlock over $1,000 in annual statement credits on a curation of business purchases, including select purchases made with Dell Technologies, Indeed, Adobe, and U.S. wireless service providers.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for incidental fees charged by your one selected, qualifying airline to your Card.
• $189 CLEAR ® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $189 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR ® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Business Platinum Card ® .
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection ® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market as of 03/2023.
• $695 Annual Fee.
• APR: 19.49% - 28.49% Variable
• Best Business Credit Cards
• Find The Amex Business Platinum 150k Welcome Bonus Offer
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• Benefits of the Amex Business Platinum
• Authorized Users Benefits of the Amex Business Platinum
• 35% Points Rebate with the Amex Business Platinum
• Amex Business Platinum vs Amex Platinum

American Express ® Business Gold Card

Get 4x points in 2 select categories where your business spends the most each month (on your first $150,000 spent each year).

The American Express ® Business Gold Card is excellent at racking up rewards for your business spend.

The card earns a whopping 4x points per $1 in the 2 categories (from a list of 6) that your business spends the most money on each month. With no need to opt-in or preselect your categories, so you can focus on what matters most — running your business.

• NEW! Transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways
• NEW!  U.S. purchases made from electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers
• NEW!  Monthly wireless telephone service charges made directly from a wireless telephone service provider in the U.S.
• U.S. purchases at gas stations
• U.S. purchases at restaurants, including takeout and delivery
• Purchases at U.S. media providers for advertising in select media (online such as Google Ads, Facebook Ads, plus TV and radio)
• 3x points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card
• Purchase protection and extended warranty protection
• Trip delay insurance
• Car rental insurance
• Cell phone insurance
• $375 annual fee ( rates and fees )
• No elite travel benefits like airport lounge access or elite status
• Welcome Offer: Earn 70,000 Membership Rewards ® points after you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.*
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards ® points on the 2 categories where your business spends the most each billing cycle from 6 eligible categories. While your top 2 categories may change, you will earn 4X points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1X thereafter). Only the top 2 categories each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards ® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card.
• Earn up to $20 in statement credits monthly after you use the Business Gold Card for eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and Office Supply Stores. This can be an annual savings of up to $240. Enrollment required.
• Get $12.95 back in statement credits each month when you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Business Gold Card. $12.95 plus applicable taxes.
• Your Card – Your Choice. Choose from Gold or Rose Gold.
• *Terms Apply
• Amex Business Gold 110k Welcome Bonus Offer
• Benefits of the Amex Business Gold
• Amex Business Rose Gold Card
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The Blue Business ® Plus Credit Card from American Express

Earn Membership Rewards for your business spending the easy way: get 2x points for the first $50,000 in purchases per year.

As a business owner, getting a credit card that maximizes each dollar you spend does not have to be complicated or expensive. Especially when you opt for The Blue Business ® Plus Credit Card from American Express .

With the Amex Blue Business Plus card, you’ll earn 2x Membership Rewards points on everyday business purchases throughout the year (up to $50,000; 1x thereafter) and receive purchase protections and no-additional-charge employee cards all for no annual fee (see rates and fees ).

The simple and straightforward earning structure makes it a great fit for those looking to earn flexible rewards, without having to fixate on which purchases earn the most points.

Let’s take look at all that the Amex Blue Business Plus card has to offer.

• 2x Membership Rewards points per $1 on everyday business purchases (up to $50,000; 1x thereafter)
• No annual fee and employee cards at no additional cost
• No unique bonus categories and 2x earnings are capped at $50,000 in annual spend
• No elite travel benefits like lounge access or elite status
• Charges foreign transaction fees
• Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards ® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
• 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% - 26.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening. APR will not exceed 29.99%
• Earn 2X Membership Rewards ® points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter.
• You’ve got the power to use your Card beyond its credit limit* with Expanded Buying Power.
• *The amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors.
• No Annual Fee
• Terms Apply
• APR: 18.49% - 26.49% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
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Bottom Line: There are a ton of ways to use ANA miles for loads of value. The best sweet spot is business-class redemptions. You can book round-trip business class on any partner for 95,000 ANA miles plus taxes and fees.

The following award redemption method is not well known, but extremely effective. Thanks to Emirates’ and Korean Air’s partnership, you can use Emirates Skywards miles to book flights on Korean Air.

In addition to Emirates being known for offering a phenomenal first-class product, its frequent flyer program can offer a great redemption opportunity.

Emirates has a distance-based award chart for Korean Air awards using Emirates Skywards. Here is the one-way distance pricing:

For travel on Korean Air, this is one of the ways to attain business class awards using miles that can be earned in many ways, as long as you’re open to paying for fuel surcharges.

Hot Tip: Need ideas for cities to fly out of with Korean Air? Check out our definitive guide to Korean Air U.S. routes .

The best way to book this type of award flight is to search availability on Delta Air Lines and call Emirates to confirm the booking:

• Visit the Delta website .
• On the top banner, fill in the search box and find partner-level availability on Korean Air.
• Call Emirates Skywards at 800-777-3999 and feed the flight information to the representative.
• Complete the award booking by providing your credit card information to pay for taxes and fees and pay the appropriate mileage cost.

Here are examples of routes you can take:

• Boston (BOS) – Seoul (ICN) one-way for 104,000 Emirates miles and $92 in taxes and fees for Korean Air business class
• Chicago (ORD) – Seoul (ICN) one-way for 88,000 Emirates miles and $92 in taxes and fees for Korean Air business class
• Honolulu (HNL) – Seoul (ICN) one-way for 76,000 Emirates miles and $92 in taxes and fees for Korean Air business class
• San Francisco (SFO) – Seoul (ICN) one-way for 88,000 Emirates miles and $92 in taxes and fees for Korean Air business class
• Washington, D.C. (IAD) – Seoul (ICN) one-way for 104,000 Emirates miles and $92 in taxes and fees for Korean Air business class

Earning Emirates Skywards Miles

Emirates Skywards is a transfer partner of many major transferrable programs, including American Express Membership Rewards , Chase Ultimate Rewards , Citi ThankYou Rewards , Capital One Miles , Brex Rewards , and Marriott Bonvoy .

Amex, Chase, Citi, Capital One, and Brex are 1:1 transfer partners of Emirates Skywards. Transfers are typically instant.

Marriott Bonvoy is a 3:1 transfer partner. Transfers typically usually take around 3 days. For every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points you transfer to Emirates, you receive a 5,000-mile bonus. So, if you transferred 120,000 Bonvoy points to Emirates, you’d get a total of 50,000 Emirates miles (40,000 Emirates miles at a 3:1 ratio plus 10,000 bonus miles for transferring 2 chunks of 60,000 Bonvoy points).

American Express and Capital One have both been known to offer transfer bonuses, so be sure to hold out for those to make your points go further.

Recommended Chase Cards

Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card

A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred ® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance . With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

• 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
• 5x points on select Peloton purchases over $150 (through March 31, 2025)
• 5x points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025)
• 3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
• 2x points on all other travel worldwide
• $50 annual credit on hotel stays booked through the Chase Travel portal
• 6 months of complimentary Instacart+ (activate by July 31, 2024), plus up to $15 in statement credits each quarter through July 2024
• Excellent travel and car rental insurance
• 10% annual bonus points
• No foreign transaction fees
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs like United MileagePlus and World of Hyatt
• $95 annual fee
• No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status
• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
• Member FDIC
• APR: 21.49%-28.49% Variable

Chase Ultimate Rewards

• The Chase Sapphire Preferred 80k or 100k Bonus Offer
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Chase Sapphire Reserve ®

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve ®  is one of the best options out there.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access , with excellent point earning and redemption options.  Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

• 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase TravelSM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
• 10x points on Lyft purchases March 31, 2025
• 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025
• 5x points on airfare booked through Chase Travel SM
• 3x points on all other travel and dining purchases; 1x point on all other purchases
• $300 annual travel credit
• Priority Pass airport lounge access
• TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS credit
• Access to Chase Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection
• Rental car elite status with National and Avis
• $550 annual fee
• Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status
• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck ®
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more
• APR: 22.49%-29.49% Variable
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Another program worth considering for award flights between the U.S. and South Korea is Alaska MileagePlan. The program offers some incredible redemption rates on partner airlines and allows for stopovers on one-way itineraries .

Alaska Airlines is a member of Oneworld with airlines such as American Airlines and Cathay Pacific. This means that you can use your Alaska Airlines miles for American Airlines awards.

In addition to its Oneworld partners, Alaska also has partnership with Korean Air that’s not part of a larger alliance. Thanks to its partnerships, you have the option to fly on either American Airlines or Korean Air.

Alaska’s frequent flyer program has undergone significant devaluations and will undergo another in March 2024. Alaska has announced that it will implement a new distance-based award chart.

Until the new award chart is in effect, you can use your Alaska miles on Korean Air according to its partner award chart. Here is the pricing for partner awards using Alaska miles:

• Dallas (DFW) – Seoul (ICN) one-way for 50,000 Alaska miles plus taxes and fees for American Airlines business class
• Chicago (ORD) – Seoul (ICN) one-way for 50,000 Alaska miles plus taxes and fees for Korean Air business class
• San Francisco (SFO) – Seoul (ICN) one-way for 50,000 Alaska miles plus taxes and fees for Korean Air business class

Earning Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Miles

Alaska Airlines only has one transfer partner: Marriott Bonvoy . Marriott Bonvoy points transfer to Alaska Airlines at a rate of 3:1. Plus, for every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points that you transfer, you receive an extra 5,000 Mileage Plan miles.

Alaska Airlines also offers a co-branded credit card issued by Bank of America.

Alaska Airlines Visa Signature ® credit card

Provides the potential to earn plenty of miles to fly with Alaska Airlines or over a dozen partners. Plus, get an annual companion fare from just $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23)!

With the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature ® credit card in your wallet, you could get great perks and earn miles at the same time. This is a win-win if Alaska is the airline you prefer to fly with! Plus, its annual companion fare is a great benefit for traveling couples.

• 3x miles per $1 spent on Alaska purchases
• 2x miles per $1 spent on eligible gas, local transit (including rideshare), cable, and select streaming services
• 1x mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Annual companion fare
• Free checked bag for you and up to 6 traveling companions
• 20% back on Alaska inflight purchase
• $95 annual fee
• LIMITED TIME ONLINE OFFER — 70,000 bonus miles plus Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™!
• Get 70,000 Bonus Miles plus Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after you make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of your account opening.
• Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™. Every year on your credit card account anniversary you’ll receive a companion fare which allows you to book a companion flight from $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23). Valid on all Alaska Airlines flights booked on alaskaair.com.
• Free checked bag for you and up to 6 guests on the same reservation – that’s a savings of $60 per person roundtrip!
• Earn unlimited 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases, 2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible gas, local transit (including rideshare), cable, and select streaming services, and unlimited 1 mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases. And, your miles don’t expire on active accounts.
• 10% reward bonus on all miles earned on card with an eligible Bank of America checking, savings, or investment account.
• Priority boarding on Alaska Airlines when tickets are purchased with card.
• With oneworld ® Alliance member airlines and Alaska’s Global Partners, Alaska has expanded their global reach to over 1,000 destinations worldwide bringing more airline partners and more ways to earn and redeem miles.
• Flexibility with no blackout dates on Alaska Airlines flights when booking with miles or a companion fare.
• Plus, no foreign transaction fees and a low $95 annual fee.
• This online only offer may not be available elsewhere if you leave this page. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
• APR: 18.24% - 26.24% Variable
• Airline Credit Cards

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Frequent Flyer Program

• Alaska Airlines Review – Seats, Baggage Fees & More
• Best Ways To Earn Alaska Airlines Miles
• Best Ways To Redeem Alaska Airlines Miles
• How To Earn 100,000 Alaska Airlines Miles
• How To Get Alaska Airlines Elite Status
• How To Get and Use Alaska Airlines’ Companion Fare

Another program worth looking at for Star Alliance partner awards is Avianca LifeMiles . Although the program increased award redemption rates to Asia in 2022, the program still has competitive pricing. It also has some interesting pricing quirks, like mixed-cabin awards. In addition to the great pricing, LifeMiles doesn’t pass on fuel surcharges on award flights.

LifeMiles uses a standard zone-based award chart for most flights. LifeMiles charges between 85,000 and 90,000 LifeMiles for a one-way business class ticket between the U.S. and Asia on Star Alliance partner airlines. This allows for redemptions on both United and Asiana.

Best of all, it’s quite easy to earn Avianca LifeMiles, and the programs it partners with routinely have transfer bonuses.

To book award travel on Avianca LifeMiles, follow these directions:

• Visit the Avianca LifeMiles site.
• Log in to your LifeMiles account by entering your LifeMiles number and password.
• Change the language as necessary by clicking the flag icon in the top-right corner.
• Click  Fly on the top banner of the landing page.
• Type in your flight information, including airports, number of passengers, and class of booking.
• Select your flights and pay with your miles, along with any taxes and fees, to complete your reservation.

Here is an example of a great redemption you can make:

• Seattle (SEA) – Seoul (ICN) one-way in Asiana Airlines business class for 90,000 LifeMiles plus $51 in taxes and fees

Earning Avianca LifeMiles

Avianca LifeMiles are easy to earn . The Avianca LifeMiles program is a transfer partner of Amex Membership Rewards, Brex Rewards , Capital One Miles, Citi ThankYou Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy.

All of the above programs, except for Marriott Bonvoy, transfer instantly at a 1:1 ratio to LifeMiles. Marriott Bonvoy points transfer at a 3:1 ratio.

Lastly, LifeMiles routinely offers huge sales of up to 125% to 200% when you purchase LifeMiles. Although buying points and miles is not generally recommended, buying LifeMiles outright can make for some cheap first and business class redemptions.

Recommended Citi Cards

Citi Premier ® Card

Frequent flyers will enjoy 3x ThankYou Points at restaurants, gas stations, supermarkets, air travel, and hotels.

The Citi Premier ® Card is an excellent option for anyone looking for an all-around travel rewards credit card. The card helps you earn points fast with great 3x bonus categories such as restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, airfare, and hotels. Plus, it offers access to airline and hotel transfer partners, doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, and has a reasonable annual fee!

• 3x points at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, airfare, and hotel purchases
• Access to Citi transfer partners
• Annual hotel credit
• No foreign transaction fees
• Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou ® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, for a limited time, earn a total of 10 ThankYou ® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through June 30, 2024.
• Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Other Hotels
• Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants and Supermarkets
• Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Annual Hotel Savings Benefit
• 60,000 ThankYou ® Points are redeemable for $600 in gift cards redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com
• No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
• No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
• APR: 21.24% - 29.24% Variable

Citi ThankYou Rewards

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• Authorized User Benefits of the Citi Premier
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Citi Rewards+ ® Card

This no annual fee card rewards cardholders for everyday purchases. Earn bonus points at supermarkets and gas stations, plus your points are rounded up on every purchase.

• Earn 20,000 bonus points after you spend $1,500 in purchases with your card within 3 months of account opening; redeemable for $200 in gift cards at thankyou.com
• Plus, as a special offer, earn a total of 5 Thank You ® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com through December 31, 2025.*
• 0% Intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months from date of first transfer and on purchases from date of account opening. After that, the variable APR will be 18.74% – 28.74%, based on your creditworthiness. There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
• Earn 2X ThankYou ® Points at Supermarkets and Gas Stations for the first $6,000 per year and then 1X Points thereafter. Plus, earn 1X ThankYou ® Points on All Other Purchases.
• The Citi Rewards+ ® Card – the only credit card that automatically rounds up to the nearest 10 points on every purchase – with no cap.
• APR: 0% intro APR on balance transfers and on purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR of 18.74% - 28.74%.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of each purchase transaction in US dollars
• Citi Transfer Partners

Citi Double Cash ® Card

Great card for the average spender with no specific focus category; worry-free cash-back earning on everything!

The Citi Double Cash ® Card  has long been one of the top cash-back credit cards on the market, and the card now has the ability to earn Citi ThankYou Points!

This means that cardholders of the Double Cash card will now earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. Cash back is earned in the form of ThankYou Points . This means each billing cycle, you will earn 1 ThankYou point per $1 spent on purchases and an additional ThankYou point for every $1 paid on your purchase balance as long as there is a corresponding balance in your Purchase Tracker.

Citi has turned the Double Cash card into a top choice for those who are looking for an everyday, no-fuss credit card.

• Uncapped 2% for every $1 spent (1% when you buy and another 1% when you pay)
• Flexible redemption options
• No annual fee
• No bonus categories
• 3% foreign transaction fees
• Lack of premium travel benefits
• Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
• To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
• Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% – 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
• Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
• If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
• There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
• APR: 0% Intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers, then 19.24% - 29.24% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each purchase
• Cash Back Credit Cards
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Citi Custom Cash ® Card

Earn big on purchases in your top eligible spend category, up to the first $500 each billing cycle, with no annual fee!

The Citi Custom Cash ® Card is inventive when it comes to cash-back credit cards. Instead of earning a set amount of cash-back on predetermined bonus categories, the Citi Custom Cash card earns 5% cash-back on your highest eligible spend category each billing cycle, without an annual fee.

Thanks to that unique perk, you’ll never need to worry about whether you’re using the right card for the right purchase, as your Citi Custom Cash card will always pay you 5% back on whichever category you end up spending the most on each month.

• 5% cash-back (on up to $500 each billing cycle) from your largest purchase category, including restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs, and live entertainment
• Multiple redemption options
• No redemption minimums
• Your 5% category is limited to $500 in spend ($25 in cash-back) each month
• Not particularly rewarding for any purchases outside of your top 5% cash-back category
• Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou ® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
• 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% – 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
• Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked via the Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2025.
• No rotating bonus categories to sign up for – as your spending changes each billing cycle, your earn adjusts automatically when you spend in any of the eligible categories.
• Citi will only issue one Citi Custom Cash ® Card account per person.
• APR: 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3%
• Citi Custom Cash Card Launches [Earn 5% Back on Your Top Purchases]

Another great program for Star Alliance partner awards is Air Canada Aeroplan. The loyalty program has a published award chart for partner awards, has plenty of partners both in and outside of Star Alliance, allows for stopovers, and does not pass on fuel surcharges on partner awards.

According to Aeroplan’s award chart, the world is broken into 4 distinct regions: North America, the Atlantic, the Pacific, and South America. Award pricing depends on the zones you fly between as well as the overall distance flown. To know exactly how many points your award ticket costs, look at the zones you are flying between.

Here is the award chart for flights between the North America and Pacific zones. Prices are based on distance:

Since distance needs to be counted for Aeroplan awards, it’s important to know how many miles are between the airports you’re flying between. A tool like Great Circle Mapper can show you the exact distance.

According to the award chart, flights within the 5,001-7,500-mile distance band can be booked for 50,000 points in economy or just 75,000 points in business class one-way. This pricing, especially for business class, represents great value. Nonstop flights between Seoul and Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Seattle (SEA), or Las Vegas (LAS) can all be booked at this price.

Here are the steps you need to follow to book online with Aeroplan:

• Make your way to  Air Canada’s homepage .
• In the top right corner, click  Sign in .
• Log in using your Aeroplan number and password.
• On the homepage’s search box, remember to toggle the slider that says  Points .
• Select  Round-trip  or  One-way  for the trip, fill in the search box, and click  Find .
• Find a suitable flight, redeem your Aeroplan points, and use a credit card to book your Air Canada flight.

Earning Air Canada Aeroplan Points

Air Canada Aeroplan points are incredibly easy to earn, as the program is a transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Capital One Miles, and Marriott Bonvoy.

All programs, except Marriott Bonvoy, transfer to Aeroplan at a 1:1 rate. Marriott Bonvoy points transfer at a 3:1 ratio to Aeroplan, and for every 60,000 Bonvoy points you transfer, you get a 5,000-mile bonus.

Lastly, another program worth looking into is Korean Air’s frequent flyer program, Korean Air SKYPASS . Korean Air is a SkyTeam member alongside companies such as Delta Air Lines, Air France-KLM, and Virgin Atlantic.

The Korean Air Skypass program has multiple award charts, including 1 for Korean Air flight awards and another for SkyTeam flight awards.

When it comes to Korean Air redemptions on Korean Air-operated flights, prices are subject to peak and off-peak pricing. This means that award flights during off-peak dates require fewer miles. Here is the award pricing for Korean Air redemptions between the U.S. and Korea on Korean metal:

Korean Air also has a separate award chart for SkyTeam redemptions. Unlike on Korean Air metal, awards on SkyTeam partners are not subject to seasonal pricing.

Here is the award pricing for Korean Air redemptions between the U.S. and Korea on Delta Air Lines:

Following are some great redemptions you can make:

• Atlanta (ATL) – Seoul (ICN) one-way, during off-peak season in Korean Air business class for 62,500 Korean Air miles and $92 in taxes and fees
• Boston (BOS) – Seoul (ICN) one-way, during off-peak season in Korean Air business class for 62,500 Korean Air miles and $92 in taxes and fees
• Las Vegas (LAS) – Seoul (ICN) one-way, during off-peak season in Korean Air business class for 62,500 Korean Air miles and $92 in taxes and fees
• Los Angeles (LAX) – Seoul (ICN)  one-way, during off-peak season, in Korean Air first class for 80,000 Korean Air miles and $92 in taxes and fees
• New York (JFK) – Seoul (ICN)  round-trip, during off-peak season, in Korean Air first class for 160,000 Korean Air miles and $277 in taxes and fees
• Seattle (SEA) – Seoul (ICN) one-way, during off-peak season in Korean Air business class for 62,500 Korean Air miles and $92 in taxes and fees

Here are the steps to book an award flight with Korean Air:

• Search for flights on Air France-KLM or Delta.
• Confirm the same award availability on Korean Air.
• Book the award flight online.
• Pay the taxes and fees.

Hot Tip: Need help booking?  Check out our step-by-step guide on booking Korean Air first class .

Earning Korean Air SKYPASS Miles

Earning Korean Air SKYPASS miles is relatively difficult, as the program only has 1 transfer partner: Marriott Bonvoy.

Marriott Bonvoy points transfer at a 3:1 ratio, and transfer times vary but generally take around 2 to 3 days.

Recommended Marriott Bonvoy Cards

Marriott Bonvoy Bold ® Credit Card

A great option for Marriott hotel fans who want a no annual fee card and automatic Marriott Bonvoy elite status.

Casual travelers who like to frequent properties that are part of the Marriott Bonvoy collection of brands may want to consider the Marriott Bonvoy Bold ® Credit Card.

The Marriott Bold card rewards cardholders for Marriott stays and gives them a boost towards Marriott Bonvoy elite status.

• Up to 14x points per $1 on Marriott purchases
• 2x points per $1 on travel purchases
• 15 Elite Night Credits each year (automatically gives you Silver Elite status)
• Lower point earn rate than other Marriott Bonvoy cards
• Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status is the lowest status tier
• Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Pay no annual fee with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold ® Credit Card from Chase ® !
• Earn up to 14X total points per $1 spent at thousands of hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy ® with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold ® Card.
• 1X point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
• Your points don't expire as long as you make purchases on your card every 24 months.
• APR: 21.49%–28.49% Variable
• Hotel Credit Cards

Marriott Bonvoy

• Marriott Transfer Partners
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• Best Marriott Credit Cards

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless ® Credit Card

Marriott loyalists will love this card's annual free night award, automatic elite status, and up to 17x points per $1 on Marriott hotel stays.

If you’re a frequent traveler and a Marriott loyalist, there’s a lot to love about the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless ® Credit Card . The card comes packed with several great benefits like a free hotel night once a year, automatic Silver Elite status (with a fast-track to Gold Elite status), and multiple options for redeeming points.

• Earn big when you use your card at thousands of participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels
• Earn big at grocery stores, gas stations, and dining
• Automatic Silver Elite Status
• 1 Free Night Award each cardmember anniversary (valued up to 35,000 points)
• One year complimentary DoorDash DashPass subscription
• Marriott Silver status is the lowest status tier
• Earn 3 Free Night Awards (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after qualifying purchases.
• Earn 3X points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining.
• Earn 1 Elite Night Credit towards Elite Status for every $5,000 you spend.
• 1 Free Night Award (valued up to 35,000 points) every year after account anniversary.
• Earn up to 17X total points per $1 spent at thousands of hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy ® with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless ® Card.
• Receive 15 Elite Night Credits annually, automatic Silver Elite status, and path to Gold Status when you spend $35,000 on purchases each calendar year.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees. Your points don't expire as long as you make purchases on your card every 24 months.
• The 75,000 or 100,000 Bonus Point Offer for the Marriott Boundless
• 23 Valuable Benefits of the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card
• Best Hotel Credit Cards for Free Nights

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express ® Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy card gives you automatic Marriott elite status and helps you earn more Marriott Bonvoy points on your everyday purchases.

The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express ® Card , the latest mid-tier offering in the Marriott Bonvoy lineup of cards, offers cardholders automatic elite status and ways to earn more Marriott Bonvoy points on each of their stays and daily purchases.

• 6x points per $1 at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy
• 4x points per $1 at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $15,000 in combined purchases per calendar year, then 2X points)
• 2x points per $1 on all other purchases
• Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
• 15 Elite Night Credits per year
• 1,000 bonus points per paid stay
• 1 Free Night Award (up to 50,000 points) when you spend $15,000 on the card in a year
• $250 annual fee ( rates and fees )
• Free Night Award certificate is not an automatic benefit
• Earn 155,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy ® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
• Earn 4X points at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $15,000 in combined purchases at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets per calendar year, then 2X points).
• Earn 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
• Marriott Bonvoy 1K Bonus Points Per Stay: Earn 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy ® bonus points per paid eligible stay booked directly with Marriott for properties participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
• With complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elites status, earn up to 2.5X points from Marriott Bonvoy ® on eligible hotel purchases with the 25% Bonus Points on stays benefit, available for Qualifying Rates.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Free Night Award: Earn 1 Free Night Award after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ Card in a calendar year. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy ® points) at a hotel participating in Marriott Bonvoy ® . Certain hotels have resort fees.
• 15 Elite Night Credits: Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express Card ® you can receive 15 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy ® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express. Terms apply.
• Plan It ® is a payment option that lets you split up purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments with a fixed fee. Plus, you'll still earn rewards the way you usually do.
• $250 Annual Fee.
• Terms apply.
• APR: 20.99%-29.99% Variable

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant ® American Express ® Card

A premium card for Marriott fans who want perks like an annual statement credit and Free Night Award, plus a fast track to Marriott elite status.

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant ® American Express ® Card  is a premium card designed with road warriors and Marriott Bonvoy loyalists in mind.

So is the card a worthwhile addition to your wallet?

• 6x points per $1 at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy   program
• 3x points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines and restaurants worldwide
• 25 Elite Night Credits each year
• Priority Pass Select membership upon enrollment
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee statement credit
• Annual Free Night Award after card renewal
• Complimentary Platinum Elite status
• Steep annual fee of $650 ( rates and fees )
• 6x points per $1 is the same earn rate offered with lower annual fee alternatives like the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express ® Card
• Earn 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• $300 Brilliant Dining Credit: Each calendar year, get up to $300 (up to $25 per month) in statement credits for eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant ® American Express ® Card at restaurants worldwide.
• With Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, you can receive room upgrades, including enhanced views or suites, when available at select properties and booked with a Qualifying Rate.
• Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy ® . 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines. 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
• Free Night Award: Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy ® . Certain hotels have resort fees.
• Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant ® American Express ® Card, you will be eligible to select a Brilliant Earned Choice Award benefit. You can only earn one Earned Choice Award per calendar year. See https://www.choice-benefit.marriott.com/brilliant for Award options.
• $100 Marriott Bonvoy Property Credit: Enjoy your stay. Receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton ® or St. Regis ® when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your Card.
• Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck ® : Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($100) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck ® (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant ® American Express ® Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
• Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant ® American Express ® Card you can receive 25 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy ® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express. Terms apply.
• Enroll in Priority Pass™ Select, which offers unlimited airport lounge visits to over 1,200 lounges in over 130 countries, regardless of which carrier or class you are flying. This allows you to relax before or between flights. You can enjoy snacks, drinks, and internet access in a quiet, comfortable location.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees on international purchases.
• With Cell Phone Protection, you can be reimbursed, the lesser of, your repair or replacement costs following damage, such as a cracked screen, or theft for a maximum of $800 per claim when your cell phone line is listed on a wireless bill and the prior month's wireless bill was paid by an Eligible Card Account. A $50 deductible will apply to each approved claim with a limit of 2 approved claims per 12-month period. Additional terms and conditions apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
• $650 Annual Fee.
• Best Credit Cards with Priority Access

Hot Tip: Need some more inspiration on earning miles? Check out our guide on the best ways to earn lots of Korean Air miles .

Of course, many other programs can be considered when it comes to award redemptions. These include Air France-KLM Flying Blue , Virgin Atlantic Flying Club , and British Airways , among others.

However, these programs all have at least 1 major downfall that makes them not worth considering, such as unfavorable redemption rates, dynamic pricing, or even a lack of viable transfer partners.

Although cash fares to Asia can be quite expensive, there are tons of ways to book award travel to South Korea. Fortunately, quite a few airlines operate nonstop routes between Seoul and major airports here in the U.S.

As we’ve covered in this article, there are several excellent programs to use to book an award flight to South Korea. Most of the programs covered in this article are within Star Alliance, as partner award rates are some of the best.

When it comes to award redemptions, it’s important to earn transferrable points  in currencies such as American Express Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards. These points can transfer to different airline loyalty programs, allowing for more award redemptions.

The information regarding the Marriott Bonvoy Bold ® Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless ® Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature ® credit card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here . For rates and fees of the American Express ® Gold Card, click  here . For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here . For rates and fees of the American Express ® Business Gold Card, click here . For rates and fees of The Blue Business ® Plus Credit Card from American Express, click here . For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express ® Card, click here . For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant ® American Express ® card, click here .

Frequently Asked Questions

Can i use avianca lifemiles for award flights to south korea.

Yes, you can. LifeMiles charges between 85,000 and 90,000 LifeMiles for a one-way business class ticket between the U.S. and Asia on Star Alliance partner airlines like United Airlines.

Can you use Air Canada Aeroplan points for award tickets to Korea? How can I earn more points?

Yes, you can use Aeroplan points to fly on its Star Alliance partners, like United Airlines. The program uses a distance-based award chart that tells you exactly how many points you need for an award redemption.

Aeroplan is a transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Capital One Miles, and Marriott Bonvoy.

What is the fewest number of miles you can use to book a business class award flight to South Korea?

You can fly between the U.S. and South Korea round-trip for 95,000 ANA miles in business class.

Can you use Alaska miles to fly to South Korea?

Yes, you can. Alaska Airlines is part of the Oneworld Alliance with other partners such as American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Japan Airlines, among others. There are a lot of airlines to fly to South Korea using Alaska miles. However, if you want to book a nonstop flight, your only option is American Airlines from certain U.S. airports.

What U.S. airlines fly nonstop to Gimpo Airport?

No U.S. airlines fly nonstop from the U.S. to Gimpo International Airport (GMP) in Seoul.

What U.S. airlines fly nonstop to Busan?

No U.S. airlines fly nonstop from the U.S. to Gimhae International Airport (PUS) in Busan.

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About Ehsan Haque

Ehsan is an avid traveler who has traveled to 100 countries, diligently using points and miles to fund his journeys. Currently, he holds 32 active credit cards and earns over a million points and miles annually, primarily using them for luxury hotels and long-haul premium cabins.

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South Korea

Warnings and insurance.

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South Korea Tours & Vacations

South Korea has emerged from history as a dynamic destination full of spirit and surprises.

Enchanting travelers with temples full of mystique, markets brimming with divine handicrafts, and some of the most beloved cuisine in the world - isn't it about time you surrendered to South Korea's charms?

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South Korea at a glance

Capital city.

Seoul (9.9 million)

51.385 million

(GMT+09:00) Seoul

CALLING CODE

Electricity.

Type C (European 2-pin) Type E (French 2-pin, female earth) Type F (German 2-pin, side clip earth)

Learn more about South Korea

Geograhy and environment.

South Korea is located at the south end of the Korean Peninsula, between the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea. Separated from   Japan   by the Korean Strait and demarcated from the state of North Korea by Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), South Korea's terrain is a mix of flat lowlands and forested mountains. The coasts of South Korea are rocky and jagged, with thousands of islands (mostly inhabitable) scattered off the coastline.

Culture and customs

South Korea draws some traditions and customs from other neighboring countries in Asia, with a culture that stems from Confucianism. This system of philosophical and ethical teachings was introduced to South Korea in the 4 th century through Chinese scholars and was quickly embraced by the wider population until it officially became the state ideology in the early 1900s.

Confucianism emphasizes respect for aging, elders and ancestors, an intrinsic hierarchy that runs through work and social life, and upholds traditional family roles so you’ll often see families living together in one house.

During your travels around South Korea, you’ll also see plenty of traditions such as the act of bowing when greeting people, women wearing traditional dress (hanbok) and the practice of taekwondo (Korean martial arts). As well as ancient beliefs, new generations of South Koreans are embracing a modernized culture, one full of K-pop, Korean cosmetics and popular foods like kimchi and tteokbokki.

History and government

South Korea’s had an often turbulent history dating back to around 8000 BC when it was known as just Korea, but the country’s most impactful conflict began in the 1500s with the attempted Japanese invasion. Korea went on to become a Japanese colony in 1910 following its annexation of the Korean Empire, which ended in 1945 at the conclusion of World War II.

The country was then divided into two parts, the northern part which was protected by the Soviet Union and the southern part which was protected largely by the United States. Both the northern and southern parts of Korea officially became North and South Korea in 1948 when the two regions failed to agree on forming one, united government.

In 1950, North Korea set in motion the Korean War which was intended to unify the two countries under communism. But after much destruction to infrastructure and loss of human life, a cease-fire was called in 1953 with both countries signing the 1953 Korean Armistice Agreement. The two countries have since agreed to work towards a final settlement (The Peace Treaty on the Korean Peninsula) to formally and officially end the Korean War.

South Korea now enjoys a fully prosperous economy with a capital economic standing similar to that of countries such as the United States, Japan, and various countries in Western Europe.

You can’t go to South Korea for shopping and not stop in Seoul – the country’s premier destination for all things fashion, electronics, street food and skincare. In this shopper’s paradise of a city, you’ll find traditional Korean items perfect for souvenirs to tech gadgets not yet available on Australia’s shores.

Some notable districts/destinations where you can shop ‘til you drop include:

• Myeongdong (shopping district)
• Dongdaemun Market (shopping center)
• Cheongdam-dong (luxury boutique area)
• Pyeonghwa (wholesale market)

Top 5 culinary delicacies of South Korea

1. bibimbap.

As one of Korea's standout dishes, bibimbap is a tasty concoction of meat, vegetables, egg, and rice. Soy sauce, chili paste, garlic, and sesame oil all add flavor to this amazingly colorful dish found everywhere in Korea.

Kimchi is hailed as a nutritional powerhouse - packing a healthy punch of nutrients, vitamins, and beneficial bacteria that makes it one of the world's healthiest superfoods. But most people don't eat these fermented vegetables for health reasons - it's the uniquely, tasty flavor and versatility that makes kimchi so popular in Korean cooking.

These delicious, savory pancakes are a standard of Korean cuisine. With hundreds of different varieties, jeon can be served with red meat, chicken, seafood, vegetables, tofu, and even edible flowers.

Similar to sushi, these highly popular rice-based morsels feature fish, beef, or crab, wrapped in seaweed with pickled or fresh vegetables. Available all over Korea, they are the perfect snack on the run or quick, cheap lunch to enjoy between sightseeing.

Arriving in Korea by the way of Mongolia, mandu are essentially boiled, steamed, or pan-fried dumplings. A cheap, street food favorite, mandu can be filled with everything from pheasant to tofu, cucumber, beef, and beyond. Try out these foods on our 8 day South Korea Real Food Adventure.

Top places to visit in South Korea

Whether you want to take a street food tour of the renowned Gwangjang markets, go shopping among the vibrant streets and check out some high-tech gadgetry or admire this city's soaring skyscrapers from Naksan at nighttime, Seoul can't be missed.

Explore the bustling city of Seoul on our 8 day South Korea Family Holiday.

Visit the fascinating Haedong Temple, explore the colorful Gamcheong Culture Village and take in the all 'round beauty of the second largest city in South Korea.

Travel to Busan on our 9 day South Korea Highlights tour.

Experience Jeonju like a local as you wander the Hanok Heritage Village in search of souvenirs, tasty treats, traditional houses and craft shops.

Admire the culture (and food) in Jeonju on our 9 day Essential South Korea tour.

4. Jeju Island

Wander South Korea's first ever UNESCO World Heritage listed site, Jeju Seongsan Sunrise Mountain/Castle, on the beautiul Jeju Island. And with volcanic landscapes and coastal rock formations, this laidback slice of heaven is well worth a visit.

Marvel at the beauty on Jeju Island on our 9 day Premium South Korea tour.

Further reading

Similar destinations.

Thinking about a trip to South Korea but still browsing other destinations? Check out tours to neighboring locations:

South Korea travel FAQs

Do i need a covid-19 vaccine to join an intrepid trip.

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travelers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

When is the best time to visit South Korea?

Autumn and spring are considered the optimal times to holiday in South Korea, as the extreme temperatures that are present during summer and winter can make travel uncomfortable at times. During autumn and spring expect moderate temperatures, a mild climate and less rain and humidity than at other times.

Do I need a visa to travel to South Korea?

SOUTH KOREA Australia: No - not required Belgium: No - not required Canada: No - not required Germany: No - not required Ireland: No - not required Netherlands: No - not required New Zealand: No - not required South Africa: No - not required Switzerland: No - not required United Kingdom: No - not required USA: No - not required

Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into South Korea. . Most travelers do not need visas for Korea for stays of up to 30 days. You must also have an onward or return ticket.

If you are a male of Korean origin whose name appears on the Korean family register, you may be liable for military service even if you are traveling on your foreign passport.

The page is for general information only and may be subject to change. It is your responsibility to obtain relevant visa and travel information required for entry, departure and travel to each country or region you visit on your trip. You should confirm these with the relevant embassies and/or consulates. 

Last updated: 20/11/2023

Is tipping customary in South Korea?

Tipping in some establishments (particularly more traditional ones) is considered impolite, and is sometimes indicated with a 'no tipping' sign! Western-style, tourist-orientated places, however, usually welcome and receive tips. Use your discretion.

What is the internet access like in South Korea?

With one of the most developed internet infrastructures in the world, accessing the internet is easy in South Korea. Wi-Fi hot spots and cyber cafes are easily found in the cities, although when traveling in remote areas please be aware that internet access may be harder to find.

Can I use my cell phone while in South Korea?

Travelers should be able to use their cell phones in South Korea's cities and urban areas, as coverage is good. As in other countries, rural and mountainous areas may have less mobile phone receptivity. Ensure global roaming is activated with your service provider before leaving home.

What are the toilets like in South Korea?

South Korea has a combination of squat toilets and western-style flushable toilets. It's a good idea to carry your own toilet paper and hand sanitizer or soap while on holiday, as these are rarely provided in public toilets.

What will it cost for a…?

South Korea's unit of currency is the South Korean Won. Here's what you can expect to pay for a:

• Can of soft drink = 1,000-3,000 WON
• Street food meal = 1,000-8,000 WON
• Basic restaurant meal = 10,000-15,000 WON
• Sit-down dinner at a nice restaurant = 13,000-39,000 WON

Can I drink the water in South Korea?

Tap water is considered safe to drink in many parts of South Korea unless otherwise marked. Ask your leader for guidance if you are unsure whether to drink tap water in the area you are traveling in.

Are credit cards accepted widely in South Korea?

Credit cards are usually accepted by hotels and large retailers. Smaller shops and restaurants may not accept credit cards, so always carry enough money to cover purchases, as paying with a credit card may not always be an option in South Korea.

What is ATM access like in South Korea?

ATMs are plentiful in large cities and urban centers, although not all ATMs accept foreign cards. Look for Global or Citibank ATMs, which usually accept cards from other countries.

What public holidays are celebrated in South Korea?

1 Jan: New Year's Day 27 Jan: Seollal 28 Jan: Seollal 29 Jan: Seollal 1 Mar: Movement / Independence Movement Day 3 May: Buddha's Birthday 5 May: Children's Day  6 Jun: Memorial Day 15 Aug: Liberation Day 3 Oct: Chuseok / Korean Thanksgiving 3 Oct: National Foundation Day (Gaecheonjeol) 4 Oct: Chuseok / Korean Thanksgiving 5 Oct: Chuseok / Korean Thanksgiving 9 Oct: Hangeul Day 25 Dec: Christmas Day

*Please note, South Korea public holidays may vary.

Do I need to purchase travel insurance before traveling?

Absolutely. All passengers traveling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.

For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance

How do I stay safe and healthy while traveling?

From Australia?

Go to: Smart Traveller

From Canada?

Go to:  Canada Travel Information

From the UK?

Go to:  UK Foreign Travel Advice

From New Zealand?

Go to:  Safe Travel

From the US?

Go to:  US Department of State

The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.

Does my trip support The Intrepid Foundation?

Yes, all Intrepid trips support the Intrepid Foundation. Trips to this country directly support our global Intrepid Foundation partners, Eden Reforestation Projects and World Bicycle Relief. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

Eden Reforestation Projects

Eden Reforestation Projects are helping to mitigate climate change by restoring forests worldwide; they also hire locally and create job opportunities within vulnerable communities. Donations from our trips support restoration across planting sites in 10 countries around the globe. Find out more or make a donation World Bicycle Relief

World Bicycle Relief provides people in low-income communities with bicycles to mobilize school kids, health workers, and farmers in far-out areas – giving them access to vital education, healthcare, and income. Donations help provide Buffalo Bicycles – specifically designed to withstand the rugged terrain and harsh environment of rural regions – to those who need them most. Find out more or make a donation

American Airlines flights from United States to South Korea

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Business class flights from United States to South Korea

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Country Summary

Travel Facts

Introduction

The first recorded kingdom (Choson) on the Korean Peninsula dates from approximately 2300 B.C. Over the subsequent centuries, three main kingdoms - Kogoryo, Paekche, and Silla - were established on the Peninsula.  By the 5 th century A.D., Kogoryo emerged as the most powerful, with control over much of the Peninsula, as well as part of Manchuria (modern-day northeast China).  However, Silla allied with the Chinese to create the first unified Korean state in the late 7 th century (688).  Following the collapse of Silla in the 9 th century, Korea was unified under the Koryo (Goryeo; 918-1392) and the Chosen (Joseon; 1392-1910) dynasties.

Korea became the object of intense imperialistic rivalry between the Chinese (its traditional benefactor), Japanese, and Russian empires in the latter half of the 19th and early 20 th centuries. Following the Sino-Japanese War (1894-95) and the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905), Korea was occupied by Imperial Japan. In 1910, Tokyo formally annexed the entire Peninsula. Korea regained its independence following Japan's surrender to the US and its allies in 1945. After World War II, a democratic government (Republic of Korea, ROK) was set up in the southern half of the Korean Peninsula while a communist-style government was installed in the north (North Korea; aka Democratic People's Republic of Korea, DPRK). During the Korean War (1950-53), US troops and UN forces fought alongside ROK soldiers to defend South Korea from a North Korean invasion supported by communist China and the Soviet Union. A 1953 armistice split the Peninsula along a demilitarized zone at about the 38th parallel. Syngman RHEE led the country as its first president from 1948-1960. PARK Chung-hee took over leadership of the country in a 1961 coup. During his regime from 1961 to 1979, South Korea achieved rapid economic growth, with per capita income rising to roughly 17 times the level of North Korea in 1979. PARK was assassinated in 1979, and subsequent years were marked by political turmoil and continued authoritarian rule as the country's pro-democracy movement grew. South Korea held its first free presidential election under a revised democratic constitution in 1987, with former South Korean Army general ROH Tae-woo winning a close race. In 1993, KIM Young-sam (1993-98) became the first civilian president of South Korea's new democratic era. President KIM Dae-jung (1998-2003) won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2000 for his contributions to South Korean democracy and his "Sunshine Policy" of engagement with North Korea. President PARK Geun-hye, daughter of former South Korean President PARK Chung-hee, took office in February 2013 as South Korea's first female leader. In December 2016, the National Assembly passed an impeachment motion against President PARK over her alleged involvement in a corruption and influence-peddling scandal, immediately suspending her presidential authorities. The impeachment was upheld in March 2017, triggering an early presidential election in May 2017 won by MOON Jae-in. In March 2022, longtime prosecutor and political newcomer YOON Suk Yeol won the presidency by the slimmest margin in South Korean history.

Discord and tensions with North Korea, punctuated by North Korean military provocations, missile launches, and nuclear tests, have permeated inter-Korean relations for years. Despite a period of respite in 2018-2019 ushered in by North Korea's participation in the 2018 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in South Korea and high-level diplomatic meetings, including historic US-North Korea summits, relations were strained as of early 2024. In 2024, Pyongyang announced it was ending all economic cooperation with South Korea, a move that followed earlier proclamations that it was scrapping a military pact signed in 2018 aimed at de-escalating tensions along their militarized border, abandoning the country’s decades-long pursuit of peaceful unification with South Korea, and designating the South as North Korea’s “principal enemy.”

Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.

Eastern Asia, southern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea

Geographic coordinates

37 00 N, 127 30 E

Map references

total: 99,720 sq km land: 96,920 sq km water: 2,800 sq km

comparison ranking : total 109

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Pennsylvania; slightly larger than Indiana

Land boundaries

total: 237 km border countries (1): North Korea 237 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm; between 3 nm and 12 nm in the Korea Strait contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: not specified

temperate, with rainfall heavier in summer than winter; cold winters

mostly hills and mountains; wide coastal plains in west and south

highest point: Halla-san 1,950 m lowest point: Sea of Japan 0 m mean elevation: 282 m

Natural resources

coal, tungsten, graphite, molybdenum, lead, hydropower potential

agricultural land: 18.1% (2018 est.) arable land: 15.3% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 2.2% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 0.6% (2018 est.) forest: 63.9% (2018 est.) other: 18% (2018 est.)

Irrigated land

7,780 sq km (2012)

Population distribution

with approximately 70% of the country considered mountainous, the country's population is primarily concentrated in the lowland areas, where density is quite high; Gyeonggi Province in the northwest, which surrounds the capital of Seoul and contains the port of Incheon, is the most densely populated province; Gangwon in the northeast is the least populated

Natural hazards

occasional typhoons bring high winds and floods; low-level seismic activity common in southwest

volcanism: Halla (1,950 m) is considered historically active although it has not erupted in many centuries

Geography - note

strategic location on Korea Strait; about 3,000 mostly small and uninhabited islands lie off the western and southern coasts

People and Society

51,966,948 (2023 est.)

comparison ranking : 28

Nationality

noun: Korean(s) adjective: Korean

Ethnic groups

homogeneous

Korean, English (widely taught in elementary, junior high, and high school) major-language sample(s): 월드 팩트북, 필수적인 기본 정보 제공처 (Korean) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

Protestant 19.7%, Buddhist 15.5%, Catholic 7.9%, none 56.9% (2015 est.) note: many people also carry on at least some Confucian traditions and practices

Age structure

0-14 years: 11.53% (male 3,072,352/female 2,916,984) 15-64 years: 70.1% (male 18,788,714/female 17,639,714) 65 years and over: 18.38% (2023 est.) (male 4,196,789/female 5,352,395)

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 39.9 youth dependency ratio: 16.6 elderly dependency ratio: 23.3 potential support ratio: 4.3 (2021 est.)

total: 45 years (2023 est.) male: 43.5 years female: 46.8 years

comparison ranking : total 18

Population growth rate

0.23% (2023 est.)

comparison ranking : 174

7 births/1,000 population (2023 est.)

comparison ranking : 223

7.3 deaths/1,000 population (2023 est.)

comparison ranking : 113

Net migration rate

2.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2023 est.)

comparison ranking : 48

Urbanization

urban population: 81.5% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.31% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Major urban areas - population

9.988 million SEOUL (capital), 3.472 million Busan, 2.849 million Incheon, 2.181 million Daegu (Taegu), 1.577 million Daejon (Taejon), 1.529 million Gwangju (Kwangju) (2023)

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2023 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth

32.2 years (2019 est.)

Maternal mortality ratio

8 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)

comparison ranking : 153

Infant mortality rate

total: 2.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2023 est.) male: 3 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.6 deaths/1,000 live births

comparison ranking : total 213

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 83.2 years (2023 est.) male: 80.1 years female: 86.4 years

comparison ranking : total population 15

Total fertility rate

1.11 children born/woman (2023 est.) note: some sources estimate the TFR to be as low as 0.78

comparison ranking : 226

Gross reproduction rate

0.54 (2023 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

82.3% (2018) note: percent of women aged 20-49

Drinking water source

improved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 99.9% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0.1% of population (2020 est.)

Current health expenditure

8.4% of GDP (2020)

Physicians density

2.48 physicians/1,000 population (2019)

Hospital bed density

12.4 beds/1,000 population (2018)

Sanitation facility access

Obesity - adult prevalence rate.

4.7% (2016)

comparison ranking : 184

Alcohol consumption per capita

total: 7.74 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 1.72 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0.15 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 0.22 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 5.66 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

comparison ranking : total 48

Tobacco use

total: 20.8% (2020 est.) male: 35.7% (2020 est.) female: 5.9% (2020 est.)

comparison ranking : total 82

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

0.9% (2019/21) NA

comparison ranking : 118

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

52.9% (2023 est.)

Education expenditures

4.7% of GDP (2019 est.)

comparison ranking : 90

total population: NA male: NA female: NA

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 17 years male: 17 years female: 16 years (2020)

Environment

Environment - current issues.

air pollution in large cities; acid rain; water pollution from the discharge of sewage and industrial effluents; drift net fishing; solid waste disposal; transboundary air pollution from China

Environment - international agreements

party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Revenue from forest resources

0.01% of GDP (2018 est.)

comparison ranking : 148

Revenue from coal

0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Air pollutants

particulate matter emissions: 24.04 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 620.3 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 30.28 megatons (2020 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually: 18,218,975 tons (2014 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 10,567,006 tons (2014 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 58% (2014 est.)

Total water withdrawal

municipal: 6.672 billion cubic meters (2020 est.) industrial: 4.45 billion cubic meters (2020 est.) agricultural: 15.96 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

Total renewable water resources

69.7 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

total global geoparks and regional networks: 5 global geoparks and regional networks: Cheongsong; Hantangang; Jeju Island; Jeonbuk West Coast; Mudeungsan (2023)

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Korea conventional short form: South Korea local long form: Taehan-min'guk local short form: Han'guk abbreviation: ROK etymology: derived from the Chinese name for Goryeo, which was the Korean dynasty that united the peninsula in the 10th century A.D.; the South Korean name "Han'guk" derives from the long form, "Taehan-min'guk," which is itself a derivation from "Daehan-je'guk," which means "the Great Empire of the Han"; "Han" refers to the "Sam'han" or the "Three Han Kingdoms" (Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla from the Three Kingdoms Era, 1st-7th centuries A.D.)

Government type

presidential republic

name: Seoul; note - Sejong, located some 120 km (75 mi) south of Seoul, serves as an administrative capital for segments of the South Korean Government geographic coordinates: 37 33 N, 126 59 E time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the name originates from the Korean word meaning "capital city" and which is believed to be derived from Seorabeol, the name of the capital of the ancient Korean Kingdom of Silla

Administrative divisions

9 provinces (do, singular and plural), 6 metropolitan cities (gwangyeoksi, singular and plural), 1 special city (teugbyeolsi), and 1 special self-governing city (teukbyeoljachisi)

provinces: Chungcheongbuk-do (North Chungcheong), Chungcheongnam-do (South Chungcheong), Gangwon-do, Gyeongsangbuk-do (North Gyeongsang), Gyeonggi-do, Gyeongsangnam-do (South Gyeongsang), Jeju-do (Jeju), Jeollabuk-do (North Jeolla), Jeollanam-do (South Jeolla)

metropolitan cities: Busan (Pusan), Daegu (Taegu), Daejeon (Taejon), Gwangju (Kwangju), Incheon (Inch'on), Ulsan

special city: Seoul

special self-governing city: Sejong

Independence

15 August 1945 (from Japan)

National holiday

Liberation Day, 15 August (1945)

Constitution

history: several previous; latest passed by National Assembly 12 October 1987, approved in referendum 28 October 1987, effective 25 February 1988 amendments: proposed by the president or by majority support of the National Assembly membership; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly membership, approval in a referendum by more than one half of the votes by more than one half of eligible voters, and promulgation by the president; amended several times, last in 1987

Legal system

mixed legal system combining European civil law, Anglo-American law, and Chinese classical thought

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of South Korea dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years

18 years of age; universal; note - the voting age was lowered from 19 to 18 beginning with the 2020 national election

Executive branch

chief of state: President YOON Suk Yeol (since 10 May 2022); the president is both chief of state and head of government; Prime Minister HAN Duck-soo (since 21 May 2022) serves as the principal executive assistant to the president, similar to the role of a vice president head of government: President YOON Suk Yeol (since 10 May 2022) cabinet: State Council appointed by the president on the prime minister's recommendation elections/appointments: president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a single 5-year term; election last held on 9 March 2022 (next to be held in March 2027); prime minister appointed by president with consent of the National Assembly election results: 2022 : YOON Suk-yeol elected president; YOON Suk-yeol (PPP) 48.6%, LEE Jae-myung (DP) 47.8%; other 3.6% 2017 : MOON Jae-in elected president; MOON Jae-in (DP) 41.1%, HONG Joon-pyo (Liberty Korea Party) 24%, AHN Cheol-soo (PP) 21.4%, YOO Seung-min (Bareun Party) 6.8%, SIM Sang-jung (Justice Party) 6.2%

Legislative branch

description: unicameral National Assembly or Gukhoe (300 seats statutory, current 295; 253 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 47 directly elected in a single national constituency by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 10 April 2024 (next to be held in April 2028) election results: percent of vote by party/coalition (constituency) - Democratic Alliance 52.3%, PPP 45.7%, others 2%; percent of vote by party/coalition (proportional) - PPP 36.7%, Democratic Alliance 26.7%, Rebuilding Korea Party 24.3%, New Reform Party 3.6%, New Future Party 1.7%, others 7%; seats by party - Democratic Alliance 176 (DPK 169), PPP 108, Rebuilding Korea Party 12, New Reform Party 3, New Future Party 1; composition prior to 2024 election - men 240, women 60, percentage women 20%

Judicial branch

highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of a chief justice and 13 justices); Constitutional Court (consists of a court head and 8 justices) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the president with the consent of the National Assembly; other justices appointed by the president upon the recommendation of the chief justice and consent of the National Assembly; position of the chief justice is a 6-year nonrenewable term; other justices serve 6-year renewable terms; Constitutional Court justices appointed - 3 by the president, 3 by the National Assembly, and 3 by the Supreme Court chief justice; court head serves until retirement at age 70, while other justices serve 6-year renewable terms with mandatory retirement at age 65 subordinate courts: High Courts; District Courts; Branch Courts (organized under the District Courts); specialized courts for family and administrative issues

Political parties and leaders

Basic Income Party [MUN Mi-jeong] New Reform Party [LEE Jun-seok] Democratic Party of Korea or DPK [LEE Jae-myung]  New Future Party [LEE Nak-yun] Open Democratic Party or ODP [KIM Sang-gyun] People Power Party or PPP [HAN Dong-hoon]  Progressive Party or Jinbo Party [YOON Hee-suk] Rebuilding Korea Party [CHO Kuk] Social Democratic Party [NA] note - the Democratic Alliance Coalition consists of the DPK and the smaller Basic Income, Jinbo, Open Democratic, and Social Democratic parties, as well as two independents; for the 2024 election, the Basic Income Party, the ODP, and the Social Democratic Party formed the New Progressive Alliance

International organization participation

ADB, AfDB (nonregional member), APEC, Arctic Council (observer), ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, CABEI, CD, CICA, CP, EAS, EBRD, FAO, FATF, G-20, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE (partner), Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club (associate), PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC (observer), SICA (observer), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNHRC, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNMOGIP, UNOCI, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador CHO Hyundong (since 19 April 2023) chancery: 2450 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 939-5600 FAX: [1] (202) 797-0595 email address and website: [email protected] https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/us-en/index.do consulate(s) general: Anchorage (AK), Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas (TX), Hagatna (Guam), Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington DC

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Philip S. GOLDBERG (since 29 July 2022) embassy: 188 Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul mailing address: 9600 Seoul Place, Washington, DC  20521-9600 telephone: [82] (2) 397-4114 FAX: [82] (2) 397-4101 email address and website: [email protected] https://kr.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s): Busan

Flag description

white with a red (top) and blue yin-yang symbol in the center; there is a different black trigram from the ancient I Ching (Book of Changes) in each corner of the white field; the South Korean national flag is called Taegukki; white is a traditional Korean color and represents peace and purity; the blue section represents the negative cosmic forces of the yin, while the red symbolizes the opposite positive forces of the yang; each trigram (kwae) denotes one of the four universal elements, which together express the principle of movement and harmony

National symbol(s)

taegeuk (yin yang symbol), Hibiscus syriacus (Rose of Sharon), Siberian tiger; national colors: red, white, blue, black

National anthem

name: "Aegukga" (Patriotic Song) lyrics/music: YUN Ch'i-Ho or AN Ch'ang-Ho/AHN Eaktay note: adopted 1948, well-known by 1910; both North Korea's and South Korea's anthems share the same name and have a vaguely similar melody but have different lyrics

National heritage

total World Heritage Sites: 16 (14 cultural, 2 natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes (n); Changdeokgung Palace Complex (c); Jongmyo Shrine (c); Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple (c); Gochang, Hwasun, and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites (c); Gyeongju Historic Areas (c); Namhansanseong (c); Baekje Historic Areas (c); Sansa, Buddhist Mountain Monasteries in Korea (c); Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty (c)

Economic overview

strong export-driven East Asian economy; sustainable and social policy leader; foreign aid financier; automotive manufacturing; app-based developer and exporter; global healthcare technology leader; aging workforce; largest semiconductor producer

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$2.352 trillion (2022 est.) $2.292 trillion (2021 est.) $2.198 trillion (2020 est.) note: data in 2017 dollars

comparison ranking : 14

Real GDP growth rate

2.61% (2022 est.) 4.3% (2021 est.) -0.71% (2020 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real GDP per capita

$45,600 (2022 est.) $44,300 (2021 est.) $42,400 (2020 est.) note: data in 2017 dollars

comparison ranking : 40

GDP (official exchange rate)

$1.674 trillion (2022 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

5.09% (2022 est.) 2.5% (2021 est.) 0.54% (2020 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices

comparison ranking : 75

Credit ratings

Fitch rating: AA- (2012) Moody's rating: Aa2 (2015) Standard & Poors rating: AA (2016) note: The year refers to the year in which the current credit rating was first obtained.

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 2.2% (2017 est.) industry: 39.3% (2017 est.) services: 58.3% (2017 est.)

comparison rankings : services 135; industry 31; agriculture 171

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 48.1% (2017 est.) government consumption: 15.3% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 31.1% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 43.1% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -37.7% (2017 est.)

Agricultural products

rice, vegetables, cabbages, milk, onions, pork, poultry, eggs, tangerines/mandarins, potatoes

electronics, telecommunications, automobile production, chemicals, shipbuilding, steel

Industrial production growth rate

1.35% (2022 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

comparison ranking : 140

Labor force

29.314 million (2022 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

comparison ranking : 23

Unemployment rate

2.86% (2022 est.) 3.64% (2021 est.) 3.93% (2020 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment

comparison ranking : 34

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

total: 7.8% (2021 est.) male: 8.8% female: 6.9%

comparison ranking : total 170

Population below poverty line

14.4% (2016 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income

31.4 (2016 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality

comparison ranking : 139

Average household expenditures

on food: 13.8% of household expenditures (2018 est.) on alcohol and tobacco: 2.7% of household expenditures (2018 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 24% (2016 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

Remittances

0.47% of GDP (2022 est.) 0.43% of GDP (2021 est.) 0.45% of GDP (2020 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

revenues: $378.552 billion (2019 est.) expenditures: $372.412 billion (2019 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

1.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

comparison ranking : 24

Public debt

48.96% of GDP (2021 est.) 46.43% of GDP (2020 est.) 39.97% of GDP (2019 est.) note: central government debt as a % of GDP

comparison ranking : 108

Taxes and other revenues

16.73% (of GDP) (2021 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

comparison ranking : 117

Fiscal year

calendar year

Current account balance

$29.831 billion (2022 est.) $85.228 billion (2021 est.) $75.902 billion (2020 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

comparison ranking : 17

$820.643 billion (2022 est.) $769.424 billion (2021 est.) $607.505 billion (2020 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

comparison ranking : 9

Exports - partners

China 24%, US 15%, Vietnam 9%, Hong Kong 6%, Japan 5% (2021)

Exports - commodities

integrated circuits, cars and vehicle parts, refined petroleum, office machinery, ships, telephones (2021)

$811.129 billion (2022 est.) $698.98 billion (2021 est.) $541.57 billion (2020 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

Imports - partners

China 24%, US 12%, Japan 9%, Vietnam 4%, Taiwan 4% (2021)

Imports - commodities

crude oil, integrated circuits, natural gas, refined petroleum, photo lab equipment, cars, iron (2021)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$423.366 billion (2022 est.) $463.281 billion (2021 est.) $443.463 billion (2020 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

comparison ranking : 10

Debt - external

$457.745 billion (2019 est.) $435.98 billion (2018 est.)

Exchange rates

South Korean won (KRW) per US dollar - Exchange rates: 1,291.447 (2022 est.) 1,143.952 (2021 est.) 1,180.266 (2020 est.) 1,165.358 (2019 est.) 1,100.163 (2018 est.)

Electricity access

electrification - total population: 100% (2021)

Electricity

installed generating capacity: 135.789 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 531.258 billion kWh (2020 est.) exports: 0 kWh (2020 est.) imports: 0 kWh (2020 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 18.61 billion kWh (2020 est.)

comparison rankings : transmission/distribution losses 192; imports 196; exports 194; consumption 8; installed generating capacity 10

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels: 64.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 27.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 3.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 0.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 1.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) tide and wave: 0.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) biomass and waste: 1.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

Nuclear energy

Number of operational nuclear reactors: 25 (2023) Number of nuclear reactors under construction: 3 Net capacity of operational nuclear reactors: 24.49GW (2021) Percent of total electricity production: 27.4% (2021) Percent of total energy produced: 76.5% (2021) Number of nuclear reactors permanently shut down: 2

production: 16.364 million metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 140.579 million metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 16,000 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 123.784 million metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 326 million metric tons (2019 est.)

total petroleum production: 37,400 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 2,598,700 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 bbl/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 3,034,400 bbl/day (2018 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

3.302 million bbl/day (2017 est.)

comparison ranking : 6

Refined petroleum products - exports

1.396 million bbl/day (2017 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

908,800 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Natural gas

production: 240.042 million cubic meters (2019 est.) consumption: 53,419,105,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) exports: 0 cubic meters (2019 est.) imports: 55,417,677,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) proven reserves: 7.079 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

686.954 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 319.383 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 255.518 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 112.052 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

comparison ranking : total emissions 7

Energy consumption per capita

242.346 million Btu/person (2019 est.)

comparison ranking : 15

Communications

Telephones - fixed lines.

total subscriptions: 22,809,806 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 45 (2021 est.)

comparison ranking : total subscriptions 12

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 72,855,492 (2021 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 141 (2021 est.)

comparison ranking : total subscriptions 24

Telecommunication systems

general assessment: South Korea is second only to Hong Kong in the world rankings of telecom market maturity; it is also on the leading edge of the latest telecom technology developments, including around 6G; with its highly urbanized, tech-savvy population, South Korea also enjoys very high communication levels across all segments – fixed-line telephony (44% at the start of 2022), fixed broadband (46%), mobile voice and data (144%), and mobile broadband (120%); the performance of the mobile sector is on a par with other developed markets around the region, but it’s the wire line segment that allows South Korea to stand out from the crowd; this is partly a reflection of the large proportion of its population who live in apartment buildings (around 60%), making fiber and apartment LAN connections relatively easy and cost-effective to deploy; the government’s Ultra Broadband convergence Network (UBcN) had aimed to reach 50% adoption by the end of 2022, but that target may be a few more years away; fixed-line teledensity is also at a very high level compared to most of the rest of the world, but it has been on a sharp decline from a rate of 60% ten years ago; on the mobile front, users have enthusiastically migrated from one generation of mobile platform to the next as each iteration becomes available; there also doesn’t appear to be any great concern about there being a lack of demand for 5G in South Korea (when the country is already well supported by 4G networks), with 30% of all subscribers having already made the switch; part of the reason behind the rapid transition may be the subsidized handsets on offer from each of the MNOs and the MVNOs (2022) domestic: fixed-line approximately 45 per 100 and mobile-cellular services 141 per 100 persons; rapid assimilation of a full range of telecommunications technologies leading to a boom in e-commerce (2021) international: country code - 82; landing points for EAC-C2C, FEA, SeaMeWe-3, TPE, APCN-2, APG, FLAG North Asia Loop/REACH North Asia Loop, KJCN, NCP, and SJC2 submarine cables providing links throughout Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Southeast Asia and US; satellite earth stations - 66 (2019)

Broadcast media

multiple national TV networks with 2 of the 3 largest networks publicly operated; the largest privately owned network, Seoul Broadcasting Service (SBS), has ties with other commercial TV networks; cable and satellite TV subscription services available; publicly operated radio broadcast networks and many privately owned radio broadcasting networks, each with multiple affiliates, and independent local stations

Internet country code

Internet users.

total: 50.96 million (2021 est.) percent of population: 98% (2021 est.)

comparison ranking : total 20

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total: 22,327,182 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 44 (2020 est.)

comparison ranking : total 10

Transportation

National air transport system.

number of registered air carriers: 14 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 424 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 88,157,579 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 11,929,560,000 (2018) mt-km

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

comparison ranking : 58

1,275 (2024)

3,790 km gas, 16 km oil, 889 km refined products (2018)

total: 3,979 km (2016) standard gauge: 3,979 km (2016) 1.435-m gauge (2,727 km electrified)

total: 100,428 km paved: 92,795 km (includes 4,193 km of expressways) unpaved: 7,633 km (2016)

comparison ranking : total 49

1,600 km (2011) (most navigable only by small craft)

comparison ranking : 52

Merchant marine

total: 2,149 (2023) by type: bulk carrier 93, container ship 115, general cargo 362, oil tanker 219, other 1,360

comparison ranking : total 12

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s): Busan, Incheon, Gunsan, Kwangyang, Mokpo, Pohang, Ulsan, Yeosu container port(s) (TEUs): Busan (22,706,130), Incheon (3,353,781), Kwangyang (2,122,903) (2021) LNG terminal(s) (import): Incheon, Kwangyang, Pyeongtaek, Samcheok, Tongyeong, Yeosu

Military and Security

Military and security forces.

Armed Forces of the Republic of Korea: Republic of Korea Army (ROKA), Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN, includes Marine Corps, ROKMC), Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries: Korea Coast Guard; Ministry of Interior and Safety: Korean National Police Agency (2023) note 1: in January 2022, the South Korean military announced the formation of a space branch under its Joint Chiefs of Staff to coordinate the development of space and space-enabled capabilities across the Army, Navy and Air Force note 2: the military reserves include Mobilization Reserve Forces (First Combat Forces) and Homeland Defense Forces (Regional Combat Forces)

Military expenditures

2.6% of GDP (2023) 2.6% of GDP (2022 est.) 2.6% of GDP (2021) 2.6% of GDP (2020) 2.7% of GDP (2019)

comparison ranking : 38

Military and security service personnel strengths

approximately 500,000 active-duty personnel (365,000 Army; 70,000 Navy, including about 30,000 Marines; 65,000 Air Force) (2023)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the South Korean military is equipped with a mix of domestically produced and imported weapons systems; South Korea has a robust defense industry and production includes armored fighting vehicles, artillery, aircraft, naval ships, and missiles; its weapons are designed to be compatible with US and NATO systems; in recent years the top foreign weapons supplier has been the US, and some domestically produced systems are built under US license (2024)

Military service age and obligation

18-35 years of age for compulsory military service for all men; minimum conscript service obligation varies by service - 18 months (Army, Marines, auxiliary police), 20 months (Navy, conscripted firefighters), 21 months (Air Force, social service), 36 months for alternative service; 18-29 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women (2024) note 1: women, in service since 1950, are able to serve in all branches and as of 2022 some 15,000 served in the armed forces, including about 9% of the non-commissioned and commissioned officers note 2: the military brings on over 200,000 conscripts each year

Military deployments

250 Lebanon (UNIFIL); 275 South Sudan (UNMISS); 170 United Arab Emirates; note - since 2009, South Korea has kept a naval flotilla with approximately 300 personnel in the waters off of the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula (2023)

Military - note

the South Korean military is primarily focused on the threat from North Korea but also deploys abroad for multinational missions, including peacekeeping and other security operations; it also participates in bilateral and multinational exercises South Korea's primary defense partner is the US, and the 1953 US-South Korea Mutual Defense Treaty is a cornerstone of South Korea’s security; the Treaty committed the US to provide assistance in the event of an attack, particularly from North Korea; in addition, the Treaty gave the US permission to station land, air, and sea forces in and about the territory of South Korea as determined by mutual agreement; the US maintains approximately 28,000 military personnel in the country and conducts bilateral exercises with the South Korean military; South Korea has Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) status with the US, a designation under US law that provides foreign partners with certain benefits in the areas of defense trade and security cooperation; the South Korean military has assisted the US in conflicts in Afghanistan (5,000 troops; 2001-2014), Iraq (20,000 troops; 2003-2008), and Vietnam (325,000 troops; 1964-1973) in 2016, South Korea concluded an agreement with the EU for participation in EU Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP) missions and operations, such as the EU Naval Force Somalia – Operation Atalanta, which protects maritime shipping and conducts counter-piracy operations off the coast of East Africa South Korea has been engaged with NATO through dialogue and security cooperation since 2005 and is considered by NATO to be a global partner; in 2022, South Korea established its Mission to NATO to further institutionalize its cooperative relationship; it has participated in NATO-led missions and exercises, including leading an integrated civilian-military reconstruction team in Afghanistan as part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force, 2010-2013; it has also cooperated with NATO in countering the threat of piracy in the Gulf of Aden by providing naval vessels as escorts in addition to the invasion of South Korea and the subsequent Korean War (1950-53), North Korea from the 1960s to the 1980s launched a considerable number of limited military and subversive actions against South Korea using special forces and terrorist tactics; including aggressive skirmishes along the DMZ, overt attempts to assassinate South Korean leaders, kidnappings, the bombing of an airliner, and a failed effort in 1968 to foment an insurrection and conduct a guerrilla war in the South with more than 100 seaborne commandos; from the 1990s until 2010, the North lost two submarines and a semi-submersible boat attempting to insert infiltrators into the South (1996, 1998) and provoked several engagements in the Northwest Islands area along the disputed Northern Limit Line (NLL), including naval skirmishes between patrol boats in 1999 and 2002, the torpedoing and sinking of a South Korean corvette, the Cheonan , in 2010, and the bombardment of a South Korean Marine Corps installation on Yeonpyeong Island, also in 2010; since 2010, further minor incidents continue to occur periodically along the DMZ, where both the North and the South Korean militaries maintain large numbers of troops the South Korean Army is organized into commands for aviation, ballistic and cruise missile operations, capital defense, ground operations, air and missile defense, and rear area defense operations; the Ground Operations Command has six corps and most of the Army’s ground combat power, which includes 21 combined arms infantry divisions, several of which are mechanized, and about 20 independent armored, artillery, air assault, aviation, and special operations brigades; the active ground forces are backed up by a large reserve force made up of former active duty soldiers the Navy is a modern force that conducts both coastal and blue water operations; it has three numbered fleets, each assigned to the seas east, west, and south of the country; it also has a submarine command, surface flotillas for specialized missions such as mine warfare and amphibious operations, an aviation wing, a special warfare force, and South Korea’s Marine Corps, which is one of the largest in the World and functions as a rapid reaction, strategic reserve, and island defense force; the Navy’s principal warships include more than 25 destroyers and frigates, two landing platform helicopter (LPH) amphibious assault ships, and about 20 attack-type submarines, complemented by a large force of corvettes and coastal patrol vessels the South Korean Air Force has a largely modern inventory of more than 800 fixed and rotary wing aircraft, including over 500 fighter and multirole fighter aircraft; it is organized into commands for air combat and air mobility/reconnaissance with subordinate wings and squadrons; the Air Force also has commands for ground based air defense (2023)

Space agency/agencies

Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI; established 1989); Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST); Korean Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI; funded by the South Korean Government); KARI works closely with the Agency for Defense Development (ADD), a  national agency for research and development in defense technology established in 1970; established a military space branch in 2022; in 2022, announced plans to form a fully independent space agency for integrated management of both civil and military space programs (2023)

Space launch site(s)

Naro Space Center (South Jeolla province) (2023)

Space program overview

has a growing and ambitious space program focused on developing satellites, satellite/space launch vehicles (SLVs), and interplanetary probes; has a national space strategy; manufacturers and operates satellites, including those with communications, remote sensing (RS), scientific, and multipurpose capabilities; manufactures and launches SLVs; developing interplanetary space vehicles, including orbital probes and landers; participates in international space programs and has relations with an array of foreign space agencies and industries, including those of Australia, the European Space Agency (ESA) and its member states (particularly France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK), India, Israel, Japan, Peru, Russia, UAE, and especially the US; has a robust commercial space industry that works closely with KARI in the development of satellites and space launch capabilities (2023) note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in Appendix S

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international.

South Korea-Japan : South Korea and Japan claim Liancourt Rocks (Tok-do/Take-shima), occupied by South Korea since 1954

South Korea-North Korea : Military Demarcation Line within the 4-km-wide Demilitarized Zone has separated North from South Korea since 1953; periodic incidents with North Korea in the Yellow Sea over the Northern Limit Line, which South Korea claims as a maritime boundary

Refugees and internally displaced persons

stateless persons: 202 (2022)

Illicit drugs

precursor chemicals used for illicit drugs, such as acetic anhydride, pseudoephedrine, and ephedrine, imported from the United States, Japan, India, and China and then either resold within South Korea or smuggled into other countries

Love Exploring

South Korea’s Stunning Sights Really Are A Must-See

Posted: February 8, 2024 | Last updated: February 8, 2024

Beauty spots

South Korea is crammed with gorgeous sites, from futuristic modern skyscrapers to ancient mountaintop temples. Whether you want to see Seoul's stylish cityscapes, Gangneung's top K-drama filming locations or Jeju Island's natural landscapes, we've got you covered. As part of Visit Korea Year, citizens from 22 countries can currently visit South Korea visa-free until December 2024, so now is a great time to add this Asian nation to your travel list. Let's take a look at South Korea's most dazzling sights.

Bukchon Hanok Village, Seoul

Wedged between the Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung Palaces, Bukchon Hanok Village is a quiet residential area filled with hundreds of hanoks (traditional Korean buildings), either dating from or styled to imitate the 14th century. The steep, narrow roads serve up sumptuous views across the city, especially with the hanoks in the foreground, tall apartment blocks behind them and N Seoul Tower in the distance.

Sodolbawi Rock, Gangneung

A two-hour bus or train ride from Seoul brings you to Gangneung, an east coast city nicknamed 'The Pine City' after the region's lush pine forests that drape the region in forest scent. Amid the unique formations of the coastal Sodol Adeul Rock Park stands Sodolbawi Rock, where legend holds that a couple once prayed for 100 days to conceive a son. Today it's more popular to clamber over the rocks and pools of clear water below to get a closer view of the strangely-shaped rocks sculpted by the wind and waves.

Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, Busan

While many of Korea’s most impressive temples are tucked away in the mountains, Haedong Yonggungsa Temple is found right by the sea. This Busan beauty was built in the 14th century and, though it's been restored and reconstructed over the years, it retains an elegant atmosphere. There are 108 steps lined with stone lanterns which guide you along the rocky shore, leading you to the temple's vibrantly-colored facades

Jinhae, Changwon

Jinhae, a district in Changwon City, is deep cherry blossom territory. The Jinhae Gunhangje Festival is held here every year (typically from the end of March into early April), during which hundreds of Yoshino cherry trees transform the area into the pastel-pink stuff of dreams. With its popularity come the crowds, although weekdays can be quieter. Gyeonghwa Station is one of the prettiest spots, where trains pass along the tracks beneath a canopy of blossom.

Sangsaeng’s Hand, Homigot

You’ll find this striking bronze sculpture in Homigot, on Korea's easternmost tip, and it’s no coincidence that this town marks the location of South Korea’s earliest first sunrise every year. Early morning is certainly the most captivating time to visit to see the hand silhouetted against the sun. The right hand (pictured) emerges from the ocean, while the left hand is installed on the beachfront.

Dongdaemun Design Plaza, Seoul

Is this Seoul's coolest building? The Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) is one of Zaha Hadid's architectural masterpieces and is a prime example of the capital's slick, modern aesthetic. Its spaceship-like shape is split into five zones, which include ultra-modern markets, art halls and exhibition areas. Spacious walkways wrap through and around the building so you can admire its fluid curves from every angle. DDP also stands for 'dream, design and play'.

Songdo Central Park, Incheon

Incheon is best-known for its international airport – most likely your point of arrival into the country – but there's still a smattering of sights worth seeing here. The port city is steeped in maritime history but today there's a modern edge to the place; make a beeline for Songdo Central Park for views of epic skyscrapers reflected by a wide waterway.

Jumunjin Breakwater, Gangneung

Gangneung is a popular K-drama filming location. Head to Jumunjin Breakwater, pictured, to recreate the classic scene from Goblin  (if you know, you know) and spot a series of colorful lighthouses. A little way up the road you’ll find the famous BTS Bus Stop, where the K-pop superband BTS shot their You Never Walk Alone album cover.

Jaman Mural Village, Jeonju

Situated on a steep hill, Jaman Mural Village has oodles of quirky charm. You'll weave through winding roads and see murals depicting scenes from popular anime movies like Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro , as well as a few western additions like The Beatles and The Wizard of Oz . This colorful, unique area is filled with cute cafés, and it’s not far from the Jeonju Hanok Village, where you can head afterwards for a more traditional vibe.

Bukhansan National Park, Seoul

Bukhansan National Park is well worth an early start; not just to avoid the crowds but, depending on when you visit, the heat of the midday sun too. Located on the outskirts of Seoul, it's one of the most visited national parks in the world and by far Korea's most popular hiking hotspot. The park boasts many different forms of beauty: think huge white-granite rocks piercing the pine forest canopy, crystal-clear streams tinkling through sheer gorges and hundreds of ancient Buddhist temples scattered across the landscape.

Woljeonggyo Bridge, Gyeongju

A reconstruction of a 7th-century original and the largest wooden bridge in South Korea, Woljeonggyo Bridge is beautiful both inside and out. Red columns flank a wooden walkway which is topped with a low-sloping tiled roof. The covered bridge looks even more breathtaking at night, when it lights up and doubles its beauty with a reflection on the clear water's surface below.

The Garden of Morning Calm, Gapyeong

With over 5,000 plants and 20 themed areas connected by walkways, the Garden of Morning Calm is a horticulturalist's dream. The Sunken Garden is shaped like the Korean peninsula, and features flowers representing a hopeful reunification between North and South Korea. Set amid a towering pine forest, it’s an attractive place to linger, while all four seasons offer something different. Look for the bright-yellow adonis flowers blooming in spring, or enjoy themed light festivals during the winter.

Hahoe Folk Village, Andong

Described as ‘the most Korean town in Korea’, Hahoe is steeped in nostalgic charm. Its most famous and captivating place to visit is Hahoe Folk Village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that brilliantly showcases the culture and aesthetic of the 15th-century early Joseon Dynasty. It's home to members of the Ryu family, who have lived there for 600 years. Check out the well-preserved tile-roofed and thatched houses, and don’t miss the enthralling mask dance performances (pictured) either.

Ojukheon House, Gangneung

Ojukheon House is one of the oldest wooden residential buildings in the entire country. Today the complex operates more like a traditional open-air museum with well-tended gardens, and visitors can roam around the grounds. The Gangneung landmark was once the residence of a prominent 16th-century artist, Sin, and her scholar son, Yi, who feature on the 50,000 and 5,000 Korean won notes.

Boseong County

Producing nearly half of South Korea’s green tea, Boseong County’s well-tended fields are seemingly endless. The tiered tea plantations snake up and down the hilly terrain, so wander the ridges and valleys or stop off at a hilltop café to soak up the views with a cup of the good stuff. The best time to visit is in May, when the tea is harvested and the Boseong Aromatic Tea Festival takes place, when visitors can try their hand at picking, making and sampling the county's crop.

Pocheon Art Valley, Pocheon

This former rock quarry lay abandoned for decades until the 1990s, when it was finally given a new lease of life as the Pocheon Art Valley. You can still soak up the breathtaking natural beauty of Cheonjoho Lake (pictured) from the observation café and sky park, but it’s now home to an arts and culture complex too. A common date spot, the site boasts an outdoor sculpture park and a performance space nestled under the quarry cliffs, as well as an astronomy museum popular with families with children.

Hallasan Mountain, Jeju Island

Stunning summits await at Hallasan Mountain, which sits at the center of Jeju Island. Also called Yeongjusan (meaning ‘mountain high enough to pull the galaxy’), this national geopark proudly takes the title of South Korea’s tallest mountain at almost 6,400 feet (1,950m) above sea level. It's home to 1,800 types of plant and 4,000 species of animal, and is topped with a famous crater lake. Immerse yourself in the mountain’s enchanting environment on the Seongpanak (6 miles/9.6km) or Gwaneumsa (5.4 miles/8.7km) trails. The trails are well-maintained, but, as with all mountains, research your route thoroughly before attempting.

Bulguksa Temple, Gyeongju

Nestled in a forest beside the southern city of Gyeongju, the 8th-century Bulguksa Temple is a fascinating slice of Korean history and culture set in peaceful, natural surroundings. The Buddhist temple complex is split into three areas, where wooden buildings rest on raised stone terraces. From here there’s a short one-mile (2km) trail to the remote Seokguram Grotto, where you'll be awed by a huge Buddha statue. Together, the two attractions make up a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Arte Museum, Gangneung

The breathtaking Arte Museum is the country’s largest immersive media art exhibition and makes a perfect rainy day activity. Using a combination of light, sound and scent, the floor-to-ceiling installations (which reach 32 feet/10m high) immerse you in blossoming seasons, swirling tides, iconic European artworks and more. The company behind the installation recently made headlines with their public artwork 'WAVE', which featured an astonishingly realistic-looking wave crashing around what appeared to be a large glass box.

Hamdeok Beach, Jeju Island

Take a stroll along Hamdeok Beach and see for yourself why it's one of Jeju Island’s best-loved beauty spots. With its blend of pure-white sand, jet-black rock and emerald-blue sea, it’s a dreamy place to spend an afternoon. Go paddling in a rock pool, wander out along a sandbar or hike up the small hillside of terraced fields. Keen for even better views? You can also go paragliding here.

Seoraksan National Park, Gangwon

Spanning a large swath of Gangwon Province, Seoraksan was South Korea's first ever designated nature reserve in 1965, and offers invigorating trails through scenic spots like Biryong Falls, Ulsan Peak and Geumganggul Cave. Staircases stretch up giant rock formations that pierce the sky, while the park is awash with color all-year-round: think vibrant blossoms in the spring and crimson-red foliage come fall. Pictured is Dinosaur Ridge, a jagged ridge of rock said to resemble the back of a dinosaur rising from the earth.

Changdeokgung Palace, Seoul

Seoul boasts several pretty palaces but Changdeokgung is perhaps the most beautiful. The 15th-century palace complex encompasses the sprawling Secret Garden; you can only visit as part of a guided tour, but it really is a must-see. As your guide leads you past traditional pavilions, lilypad-filled ponds and a canopy of foliage, you can soak up the yesteryear atmosphere in blissfully tranquil surroundings.

Jagalchi Market, Busan

You might not expect a seafood market to be 'beautiful' exactly, but Busan's Jagalchi Market is a sight to behold. This is South Korea's largest seafood market with indoor and outdoor stalls selling live and dried offerings: think scallops, snow crabs, octopus and plenty more. Plus, there's a pleasant atmosphere with friendly servers (called 'Jagalchi ajumma', meaning middle-aged or married Korean women) and a smattering of street performers.

Cheonjiyeon Falls, Jeju Island

This 72-foot (22m) waterfall sounds as incredible as it looks. The stream thunders down into the pool below, where some claim the reflection of the rock resembles a face. Cheonjiyeon Falls (which translates as 'sky connected with land') is set amid a network of walking trails, with plenty of other scenery to admire. The valley stretching from the falls is also famous for its population of giant mottled eels – carnivorous fish that can grow up to six-and-a-half feet (2m) long.

Bomun Lake, Gyeongju

This man-made lake is a stunning scenic spot in Gyeongju, in the southeast of the country. There's a four-mile (7km) walking trail which loops around the lake and takes around two hours to complete at a leisurely pace. There are plenty of pretty bridges and small parks, plus a steady stream of picnic benches to pause at. For the full experience, take to the water on a swan-shaped pedal boat.

Oedo-Botania, Geoje

This botanical garden is set on a reclaimed rocky islet in Hallyeohaesang National Marine Park, off the southeast coast of Geojedo Island. What started as a private garden now envelops the entire island, where European-styled gardens are punctuated with sculptures and statues. You can only reach Oedo-Botania by ferry and there’s no accommodation, which adds to its sense of escapist tranquility. Incredibly, dinosaur footprints have previously been found here.

Gyeongui Line Forest Park, Seoul

A slice of respite in South Korea's liveliest city, the  Gyeongui Line Forest Park  is one of Seoul's most beautiful spots. This four-mile (6km) linear walking trail partly tracks a former railway line that trundled through Book Street, where you’ll spot bronze statues commemorating its heritage. Urban life hums behind the tree-lined paths as you soak up the greenery, trickling streams and overall chilled-out ambience. The line passes by the bustling Dongjin Market, and the trendy, bohemian neighborhoods of Hongdae and Waugyo.

Hwaseong Fortress, Suwon

Looking as much like a majestic roundabout as a citadel, the Hwaseong Fortress is still a striking sight centuries on. The piled-stone and brick fortress was built in the late 18th century with huge stone towers, bunkers, bastions, secret gates and enormous 3.7-mile-long (6km) city walls that rip through the region's uneven terrain. There’s plenty of good viewpoints over the city and its fortifications, like the photogenic Paldalmun Gate (pictured). The fortress was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.

The three scents of Gangneung

It might sound strange, but follow your nose for Gangneung’s most beautiful sights. The city is famous for its three scents – coffee, pine forest and ocean breeze – and Anmok's coffee streets, the pine forest campsites on one side of the city and the endless beaches on the other perfectly showcase Gangneung's best bits. You can combine all three with a stay at  St John’s Hotel ; from your balcony, sip a cup of coffee while overlooking the forests below and the endless ocean views ahead.

Gamcheon Culture Village, Busan

Set in the foothills of a coastal mountain, the colorful Gamcheon Culture Village is one of South Korea's most vibrant attractions and makes an excellent screensaver. The residential area was given a massive makeover in 2009 and now its higgledy-piggledy houses and labyrinthine streets sparkle in the midday sun. It’s been dubbed 'the Machu Picchu of Busan', although expect more murals and street art than alpacas...

Now discover Taiwan's most beautiful sights

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United   States-Japan Joint Leaders’   Statement

Global Partners for the Future

Over the course of the last three years, the U.S.-Japan Alliance has reached unprecedented heights. We arrived at this historic moment because our nations, individually and together, took courageous steps to strengthen our collective capacity in ways that would have seemed impossible just a few years ago. Today, we, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. and Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio, celebrate this new era of U.S.-Japan strategic cooperation during the Prime Minister’s Official Visit and State Dinner in Washington, D.C.—and pledge that the United States and Japan will continue our tireless work, together and with other partners, to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific and world.

In this new era of U.S.-Japan cooperation, we recognize that global events affect the security and stability of the Indo-Pacific, and that developments in our shared region reverberate around the world. We are therefore working together, across all domains and at all levels, to build a global partnership that is fit for purpose to address the complex, interconnected challenges of today and tomorrow for the benefit of our two countries and the world. As our Alliance cooperation reaches new heights, we are expanding our engagement to reflect the global nature of our partnership.

At the core of our cooperation is a shared commitment to work with like-minded partners and multilateral institutions to address common challenges and to ensure a world that is free, open, connected, resilient, and secure. These joint efforts are based on our shared fundamental respect for international law, including the protection and promotion of human rights and dignity, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states, and the prohibition on acquisition of territory by force. Our purpose as partners is to uphold and bolster the free and open international order based on the rule of law that has allowed so many nations to develop and prosper, and to ensure our Alliance is equipped to tackle the challenges of the 21 st century.

To advance our global partnership, today we announce several new strategic initiatives to strengthen our defense and security cooperation; reach new frontiers in space; drive technology innovation; bolster economic security; accelerate climate action; partner on global diplomacy and development; and fortify the ties between our peoples. Through our global partnership, we are also synchronizing our strategies, and our two nations have never been more united as we work together to address the most pressing challenges and opportunities of the future.

Strengthening our Defense and Security Cooperation

The core of our global partnership is our bilateral defense and security cooperation under the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security, which is stronger than ever. We affirm that our Alliance remains the cornerstone of peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. President Biden reiterated the unwavering commitment of the United States to the defense of Japan under Article V of the Treaty, using its full range of capabilities, including nuclear capabilities. Prime Minister Kishida reaffirmed Japan’s unwavering commitment to fundamentally reinforce its own defense capabilities and roles, and to enhance its close coordination with the United States under the Treaty.President Biden also reaffirmed that Article V applies to the Senkaku Islands. We reiterated our strong opposition to any attempts by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to unilaterally change the status quo by force or coercion in the East China Sea, including through actions that seek to undermine Japan’s longstanding and peaceful administration of the Senkaku Islands. We welcome the progress in optimizing Alliance force posture in areas including the Southwestern Islands to strengthen U.S.-Japan deterrence and response capabilities, and we confirm the importance of further advancing this initiative.

The United States welcomes the steps Japan is taking to fundamentally enhance its defense capabilities, including its plans to increase the budget for its defense capabilities and complementary initiatives to two percent of GDP in Japanese Fiscal Year (JFY) 2027 in accordance with Japan’s National Security Strategy, its decision to possess counterstrike capabilities, and its plans to stand up the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) Joint Operations Command to enhance command and control of the JSDF. Together, these initiatives elevate our defense ties to unprecedented levels and launch a new era of U.S.-Japan security cooperation, strengthening our Alliance and contributing to stability in the Indo-Pacific.

Today, we announce several new strategic initiatives to further advance our Alliance. Recognizing the speed at which regional security challenges evolve and to ensure our bilateral Alliance structures meet these critical changes, we announce our intention to bilaterally upgrade our respective command and control frameworks to enable seamless integration of operations and capabilities and allow for greater interoperability and planning between U.S. and Japanese forces in peacetime and during contingencies. More effective U.S.-Japan Alliance command and control will strengthen deterrence and promote a free and open Indo-Pacific in the face of pressing regional security challenges. We call on our respective defense and foreign ministries to develop this new relationship through the Security Consultative Committee (our security “2+2”). In support of this vision, we also reaffirm our goal to deepen Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance cooperation and Alliance information sharing capabilities, including through the Bilateral Information Analysis Cell.

We will also continue to implement efforts to strengthen our Alliance force posture, build high-end base capabilities, and increase preparedness that are necessary to deter and defend against threats. We resolve to deepen bilateral cooperation toward the effective development and employment of Japan’s suite of counterstrike capabilities, including the provision of U.S. materiel and technological support to enhance Japan’s indigenous stand-off programs. The United States expressed its commitment to start the training pipeline and ship modifications for Japan to acquire operational capability of the Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM) system. We also reaffirmed our pursuit of a Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI) cooperative development program to counter high-end, regional hypersonic threats.

As our countries strengthen our bilateral ties, we will continue to build our relationships with like-minded partners in the region. Today, we announce our vision to cooperate on a networked air defense architecture among the United States, Japan, and Australia to counter growing air and missile threats. Recognizing Japan’s strengths and the close bilateral defense partnerships with the AUKUS countries, AUKUS partners – Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States – are considering cooperation with Japan on AUKUS Pillar II advanced capability projects. Continuing the momentum from the Camp David Summit, we welcome progress on establishing an annual multidomain exercise between the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea (ROK). Recognizing the commitments made in the Atlantic Declaration and the Hiroshima Accord, and as the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic regions become ever more interlinked, we welcome the announcement of regular U.S.-Japan-UK trilateral exercises, beginning in 2025, as we enhance our shared and enduring security. Building on the announcement at the Australia Official Visit in October to pursue trilateral cooperation with Japan on unmanned aerial systems, we are exploring cooperative opportunities in the rapidly emerging field of collaborative combat aircraft and autonomy.

The United States welcomes Japan’s revision of the Three Principles on the Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology and its Implementation Guidelines, which bolsters cooperation through joint development and production to enhance our deterrence capabilities in the region. To leverage our respective industrial bases to meet the demand for critical capabilities and maintain readiness over the long term, we will convene a Forum on Defense Industrial Cooperation, Acquisition and Sustainment (DICAS) co-led by the U.S. Department of Defense and Japan’s Ministry of Defense to identify priority areas for partnering U.S. and Japanese industry, including co-development and co-production of missiles and co-sustainment of forward-deployed U.S. Navy ships and U.S. Air Force aircraft, including fourth generation fighters, at Japanese commercial facilities, in coordination with relevant ministries. This forum, in conjunction with our existing Defense Science and Technology Cooperation Group, will better integrate and align our defense industrial policy, acquisition, and science and technology ecosystems. The DICAS will provide updates on progress to the foreign and defense ministers in the security “2+2.” We also commit to establishing a working group to explore opportunities for future fighter pilot training and readiness, including AI and advanced simulators, and co-development and co-production of cutting-edge technologies such as common jet trainers to maintain combat-ready next-generation fighter airpower.

We reaffirm the critical importance of continuing to enhance U.S. extended deterrence, bolstered by Japan’s defense capabilities, and will further strengthen bilateral cooperation. In this regard, we call on our respective foreign and defense ministers to hold in-depth discussions on extended deterrence on the occasion of the next security “2+2” meeting.

We continue to deepen our cooperation on information and cyber security to ensure that our Alliance stays ahead of growing cyber threats and builds resilience in the information and communication technology domain. We also plan on enhancing our cooperation on the protection of critical infrastructure.

Recognizing the importance of rapidly responding to frequent and severe climate change-related and other natural disasters, we plan to explore cooperation on the establishment of a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief hub in Japan.

In order to maintain deterrence and mitigate impact on local communities, we are firmly committed to the steady implementation of the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan in accordance with Okinawa Consolidation Plan, including the construction of the Futenma Replacement Facility at Henoko as the only solution that avoids the continued use of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma.

Reaching New Frontiers in Space

Our global partnership extends to space, where the United States and Japan are leading the way to explore our solar system and return to the Moon. Today, we welcome the signing of a Lunar Surface Exploration Implementing Arrangement, in which Japan plans to provide and sustain operation of a pressurized lunar rover while the United States plans to allocate two astronaut flight opportunities to the lunar surface for Japan on future Artemis missions. The leaders announced a shared goal for a Japanese national to be the first non-American astronaut to land on the Moon on a future Artemis mission, assuming important benchmarks are achieved. The United States and Japan plan to deepen cooperation on astronaut training to facilitate this goal while managing the risks of these challenging and inspiring lunar surface missions. We also announce bilateral collaboration on a Low Earth Orbit detection and tracking constellation for missiles such as hypersonic glide vehicles, including potential collaboration with U.S. industry.

Leading on Innovation , Economic Security, and Climate Action

The United States and Japan aim to maximally align our economic, technology, and related strategies to advance innovation, strengthen our industrial bases, promote resilient and reliable supply chains, and build the strategic emerging industries of the future while pursuing deep emissions reductions this decade. Building on our efforts in the U.S.-Japan Competitiveness and Resilience (CoRe) Partnership, including through the U.S.-Japan Economic Policy Consultative Committee (our economic “2+2”), we intend to sharpen our innovative edge and strengthen our economic security, including by promoting and protecting critical and emerging technologies.

The United States and Japan welcome our robust economic and commercial ties through mutual investment, including Microsoft’s $2.9 billion investment in Japan on AI and cloud infrastructure, workforce training, and a research lab; and Toyota’s recent additional $8 billion battery production investment for a cumulative $13.9 billion investment in North Carolina. Japan is the top foreign investor in the United States with nearly $800 billion in foreign direct investment, and Japanese companies employ nearly 1 million Americans across all 50 states. Similarly, as a top foreign investor in Japan for many years, the United States is supporting Japan’s economic growth, and as two of the world’s largest financial sectors, we commit to strengthening our partnership to bolster cross-border investment and support financial stability. As robust and creative economies, we also plan to accelerate investment in our respective start-up environments to foster innovation through the “Japan Innovation Campus” in Silicon Valley and the “Global Startup Campus” to be established in Tokyo, and in companies that take actions toward sustainable value creation (SX). We welcome our new Japan-U.S. personnel exchange programs on startups and venture capital firms under the Global Innovation through Science and Technology (GIST) initiative.

We are committed to strengthening our shared role as global leaders in the development and protection of next-generation critical and emerging technologies such as AI, quantum technology, semiconductors, and biotechnology through research exchange and private investment and capital finance, including with other like-minded partners. We welcome our collaboration on AI for Science between Riken and Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) founded on the revised project arrangement.

We applaud the establishment of $110 million in new AI research partnerships – between the University of Washington and University of Tsukuba and between Carnegie Mellon University and Keio University – through funding from NVIDIA, Arm, Amazon, Microsoft, and a consortium of Japanese companies. We are committed to further advancing the Hiroshima AI Process and strengthening collaboration between the national AI Safety Institutes.

Building on our long history of semiconductor cooperation, we intend to establish a joint technology agenda for cooperation on issues such as research and development, design, and workforce development. We also welcome the robust cooperation between and with our private sectors, especially in next-generation semiconductors and advanced packaging. We also plan to work together along with like-minded countries to strengthen global semiconductor supply chains, particularly for mature node (“legacy”) semiconductors through information-sharing, coordination of policies, and addressing vulnerabilities stemming from non-market policies and practices. We also celebrate the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) and the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) as a first step in bilateral cooperation on quantum computing.

Building on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) and our respective leadership of the G7 and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) last year, we continue to advance resilience, sustainability, inclusiveness, economic growth, fairness, and competitiveness for our economies . We applaud the recent entry into force of the IPEF Supply Chain Agreement. We will continue to seek cooperation on critical minerals projects, including those along the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment Lobito Corridor, and through the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) as well as the Partnership for Resilient and Inclusive Supply-chain Enhancement (RISE). We are cooperating to deter and address economic coercion, through our bilateral cooperation as well as through our work with like-minded partners including the G7 Coordination Platform on Economic Coercion. We are working to uphold a free, fair and rules-based economic order; address non-market policies and practices; build trusted, resilient, and sustainable supply chains; and promote open markets and fair competition under the U.S.-Japan economic “2+2” and the U.S.-Japan Commercial and Industrial Partnership. We will advance our commitment to operationalize data free flow with trust, including with respect to data security. We will also discuss the promotion of resilient and responsible seafood supply chains.

The United States and Japan recognize that the climate crisis is the existential challenge of our time and intend to be leaders in the global response. Towards our shared goal of accelerating the clean energy transition, we are launching a new high-level dialogue on how we implement our respective domestic measures and maximize their synergies and impacts, including the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act and Japan’s Green Transformation (GX) Promotion Strategy aimed at accelerating energy transition progress this decade, promoting complementary and innovative clean energy supply chains and improving industrial competitiveness. Today we announce Japan joins as the first international collaborator of the U.S. Floating Offshore Wind Shot. We intend to work together towards global ambition in line with the Wind Shot, taking into consideration national circumstances, through the Clean Energy and Energy Security Initiative (CEESI) to pursue innovative breakthroughs that drive down technology costs, accelerate decarbonization, and deliver benefits for coastal communities. The United States welcomes Japan’s newly-launched industry platform, the Floating Offshore Wind Technology Research Association (FLOWRA), aiming to reduce costs and achieve mass production of floating offshore wind through collaboration with academia.

We are further leading the way in developing and deploying next generation clean energy technology, including fusion energy development through the announcement of a U.S.-Japan Strategic Partnership to Accelerate Fusion Energy Demonstration and Commercialization.

The United States remains unwavering in its commitment to support the energy security of Japan and other allies, including its ability to predictably supply LNG while accelerating the global transition to zero-emissions energy and working with other fossil energy importers and producers to minimize methane emissions across the fossil energy value chain to the fullest extent practicable.

We intend to advance widespread adoption of innovative new clean energy technologies, and seek to increase the globally available supply of sustainable aviation fuel or feedstock, including those that are ethanol-based, that show promise in reducing emissions.

We are also working to align global health security and innovation, including in such areas as pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response and promoting more resilient, equitable, and sustainable health systems. Today, we announce that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Japan’s Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) intend to collaborate and exchange information on oncology drug products to help cancer patients receive earlier access to medications and to discuss future drug development and ways to prevent drug shortages. We welcome PMDA’s future representative office in Washington, D.C., to facilitate this cooperation.

Partnering on Global Diplomacy and Development

The challenges we face transcend geography. The United States and Japan are steadfast in our commitment to upholding international law, including the UN Charter, and call for all Member States to uphold the Charter’s purposes and principles, including refraining from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State. We remain committed to reforming the UN Security Council (UNSC), including through expansion in permanent and non-permanent categories of its membership. President Biden reiterated support for Japan’s permanent membership on a reformed UNSC.

We reaffirm our commitment made in Hiroshima last year and are determined to further promote our cooperation in the G7 and work together with partners beyond the G7.

We emphasize the importance of all parties promoting open channels of communication and practical measures to reduce the risk of misunderstanding and miscalculation and to prevent conflict in the Indo-Pacific. In particular, we underscore the importance of candid communication with the PRC, including at the leader level, and express the intent to work with the PRC where possible on areas of common interest.

We emphasize the importance of all States being able to exercise rights and freedoms in a manner consistent with international law as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), including freedom of navigation and overflight. We strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion, including destabilizing actions in the South China Sea, such as unsafe encounters at sea and in the air as well as the militarization of disputed features and the dangerous use of coast guard vessels and maritime militia. The PRC’s recent dangerous and escalatory behavior supporting its unlawful maritime claims in the South China Sea as well as efforts to disrupt other countries’ offshore resource exploitation are inconsistent with international law as reflected in UNCLOS. We also emphasize that the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award is final and legally binding on the parties to that proceeding. We resolve to work with partners, particularly in ASEAN, to support regional maritime security and uphold international law.

We emphasize that our basic positions on Taiwan remain unchanged and reiterate the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element of global security and prosperity. We encourage the peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues.

We continue working together with partner countries to make concrete progress in strengthening the international financial architecture and fostering investment under the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment. We are committed to delivering better, bigger, more effective multilateral development banks including through our planned contributions that would enable more than $30 billion in new World Bank lending and securing ambitious International Development Association and Asian Development Fund replenishments. We also emphasize the importance of private sector investment in the Indo-Pacific. We welcome the announcement of Google’s $1 billion investment in digital connectivity for North Pacific Connect, which expands the Pacific Connect Initiative, with NEC, to improve digital communications infrastructure between the United States, Japan and Pacific Island Nations. Building on the U.S.-Australia joint funding commitment for subsea cables last October, the United States and Japan plan to collaborate with like-minded partners to build trusted and more resilient networks and intend to contribute funds to provide subsea cables in the Pacific region, including $16 million towards cable systems for the Federated States of Micronesia and Tuvalu.

We reaffirm our steadfast commitment to the Quad and its shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific that is stable, prosperous, and inclusive which continues to deliver results for the region. We reiterate the Quad’s unwavering support and respect for regional institutions, including ASEAN, the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), and the Indian Ocean Rim Association. We also reaffirm our support for ASEAN centrality and unity as well as the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. Southeast Asian countries are critical partners in the Indo-Pacific and the U.S.-Japan-Philippines trilateral aims to enhance trilateral defense and security cooperation while promoting economic security and resilience. Japan and the United States reaffirmed our intention to work to support the region’s priorities as articulated through the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, including through the PIF as the Pacific’s preeminent institution as well as through the Partners in the Blue Pacific (PBP).

As we pursue our shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific, we continue to build strong ties between key, like-minded partners in the region. Building on the historic success of the Camp David Trilateral Summit, the United States, Japan and the Republic of Korea continue to collaborate on promoting regional security, strengthening deterrence, coordinating development and humanitarian assistance, countering North Korea’s illicit cyber activities, and deepening our cooperation including on economic, clean energy, and technological issues. The United States and Japan also remain committed to advancing trilateral cooperation with Australia to ensure a peaceful and stable region.

We reaffirm our commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea in accordance with relevant UNSC resolutions. We strongly condemn North Korea’s continued development of its ballistic missile program—including through launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) and space launch vehicles using ballistic missile technologies—which poses a grave threat to peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and beyond. We call on North Korea to respond to continued, genuine offers to return to diplomacy without preconditions. We call on all UN Member States to fully implement all relevant UNSC resolutions, especially in light of Russia’s recent veto. We urge North Korea to cease illicit activities that generate revenue for its unlawful ballistic missile and weapons of mass destruction programs, including malicious cyber activities. President Biden also reaffirms U.S. commitment to the immediate resolution of the abductions issue, and the two sides commit to continuing joint efforts to promote respect for human rights in North Korea.

We continue to stand together in firm opposition to Russia’s brutal war of aggression against Ukraine, its strikes against Ukraine’s infrastructure and the terror of Russian occupation. We are committed to continuing to impose severe sanctions on Russia and provide unwavering support for Ukraine. Together, we reiterate our call on Russia to immediately, completely, and unconditionally withdraw its forces from within the internationally recognized borders of Ukraine. Any threat or use of nuclear weapons in the context of its war of aggression against Ukraine by Russia is unacceptable. We also express serious concerns about growing North Korea-Russia military cooperation, which is supporting Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and threatens to undermine peace and stability in Northeast Asia as well as the global non-proliferation regime.

As the linkages between the Euro-Atlantic and the Indo-Pacific regions have become stronger than ever, our two countries look forward to continuing to work together to enhance Japan-North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and NATO-Indo-Pacific Four partnerships.

We once again unequivocally condemn the terror attacks by Hamas and others on October 7 of last year, and reaffirm Israel’s right to defend itself and its people consistent with international law. At the same time, we express our deep concern over the critical humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. We affirm the imperative of securing the release of all hostages held by Hamas, and emphasize that the deal to release hostages would bring an immediate and prolonged ceasefire in Gaza. We affirm the imperative of realizing an immediate and sustained ceasefire in Gaza over a period of at least six weeks as part of a deal that would release hostages held by Hamas and allow for delivery of essential additional humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in need. We underscore the urgent need to significantly increase deliveries of life-saving humanitarian assistance throughout Gaza and the crucial need to prevent regional escalation. We reiterate the importance of complying with international law, including international humanitarian law, as applicable, including with regard to the protection of civilians. We remain committed to an independent Palestinian state with Israel’s security guaranteed as part of a two-state solution that enables both Israelis and Palestinians to live in a just, lasting, and secure peace.

We reaffirm the importance of supporting inclusive growth and sustainable development in Latin America and the Caribbean. We continue to enhance policy coordination in the region, in particular on Haiti and Venezuela. We also recognize that promoting the stability and security for Haiti is one of the most pressing challenges in the Western Hemisphere, and we continue to support Haiti in restoring democratic order.

We also support African aspirations for peace, stability, and prosperity based on the rule of law. We continue to work together to support the democratic process and economic growth through our respective efforts, including our cooperation with African countries, Regional Economic Communities, the African Union, and multilateral organizations.

The United States and Japan are resolved to achieve a world without nuclear weapons through realistic and pragmatic approaches. It is critical that the overall decline in global nuclear arsenals achieved since the end of the Cold War continues and not be reversed, and the PRC’s accelerating build-up of its nuclear arsenal without transparency nor meaningful dialogue poses a concern to global and regional stability. We reaffirm the importance of upholding the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) as the cornerstone of the global nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime and for the pursuit of peaceful uses of nuclear energy. In promoting this universal goal of achieving a world without nuclear weapons, Japan’s “Hiroshima Action Plan” and the “G7 Leaders’ Hiroshima Vision on Nuclear Disarmament” are welcome contributions. The two leaders also welcomed the U.S. announcement to join the Japan-led “Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty Friends” initiative. We reaffirm the indispensable role of the peaceful uses of nuclear technology, committing to fostering innovation and supporting the International Atomic Energy Agency’s efforts in upholding the highest standards of safety, security, and safeguards. President Biden commended Japan’s safe, responsible, and science-based discharge of Advanced Liquid Processing System treated water at Tokyo Electric Power Company’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station into the sea. Our two countries plan to launch the Fukushima Daiichi Decommissioning Partnership focusing on research cooperation for fuel debris retrieval.

To effectively address the myriad challenges outlined above, our global partnership is launching a Deputy Secretary of State/Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs-level dialogue involving our respective aid agencies to align our diplomatic and development efforts globally.

Fortifying People-to-People Ties

People-to-people exchanges are the most effective way to develop the future stewards of the U.S.-Japan relationship. In this regard, we recognize the achievements of exchange programs between our two countries, including the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme, KAKEHASHI Project, the Japan Foundation’s programs, and the U.S.-Japan Council’s TOMODACHI Initiative, and commit ourselves to providing more opportunities to meet today’s needs, including through enhanced subnational exchanges on critical issues such as climate and energy. We also recognize the important role civil society has played in strengthening the U.S.-Japan relationship over the past 170 years, including the 38 Japan-America Societies across the United States, the Asia Society, and the 29 America-Japan Societies across Japan.

Building on the Memorandum of Cooperation in Education signed between us on the sidelines of the G7 Leaders’ Summit in Hiroshima, today we announce our commitment to increase student mobility through the new $12 million “Mineta Ambassadors Program (MAP)” education exchange endowment administered by the U.S.-Japan Council for U.S. and Japanese high school and university students who will “map” the future of the relationship with support from Apple, the BlackRock Foundation, Toshizo Watanabe Foundation, and other founding donors. In this regard, we also welcome Japan’s new initiative to expand scholarship for Japanese students through the Japan Student Servicers Organization.

We recognize the significant contributions made by the binational Japan-U.S. Educational Commission (Fulbright Japan) over the past 72 years. We welcome recent changes to upgrade the program by reopening scholarships to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields for the first time in 50 years, with the first STEM students on track to participate in academic year 2025-26, as well as removing the tuition cap for Japanese Fulbright participants to attract the highest quality students and researchers.

Celebrating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Mansfield Fellowship Program, we honor the legacy of Ambassador Mansfield’s contributions through the University of Montana Mansfield Center and Mansfield Foundation. The two leaders also welcome the creation of the Government of Japan endowed Mansfield Professor of Japanese and Indo-Pacific Affairs at the University of Montana.

Upon the 100 th anniversary of the birth of the late Senator Daniel K. Inouye, who made incredible contributions to our bilateral relationship, we praise the efforts of Japanese American leaders to build a bridge between the two countries and to address common community issues, including through support to the U.S.-Japan Council’s newly launched TOMODACHI Kibou for Maui project. We also share the recognition on the importance of exchanges between our legislatures. We acknowledge the importance of language study, particularly in person, to develop long-term ties and announce a new Memorandum of Cooperation to increase opportunities for the number of exchange visitors from Japan to share their specialized knowledge of Japanese language and culture in the United States, as well as welcome efforts to expand the Japanese Language Education Assistant Program (J-LEAP).

The two leaders also affirm that women in leadership remain their focus and reaffirm our pledge to achieving gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in all their diversity. We welcome close cooperation on Women, Peace, and Security and Women’s Economic Empowerment initiatives and efforts to promote women and girls’ full, equal, and meaningful participation and leadership in public life.

Finally, we emphasize the need to build a diverse pipeline of future U.S.-Japan experts who understand and support the Alliance. Our peoples form the core of our Alliance, and we reaffirm our commitment to forge ever-closer bonds for generations to come.

Through our shared and steadfast commitment, we have taken bold and courageous steps to bring the U.S.-Japan Alliance to unprecedented heights. In so doing, we have equipped our partnership to protect and advance peace, security, prosperity, and the rule of law across the Indo-Pacific and the globe so that everyone benefits. Today, we celebrate the enduring friendship among our peoples—and among ourselves—and pledge to continue our relentless efforts to ensure that our global partnership drives future peace and prosperity for generations to come.

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U.S., Japan and South Korea hold drills in disputed sea as Biden hosts leaders of Japan and Philippines

ABOARD THE USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT — A U.S. carrier strike group led by the USS Theodore Roosevelt has held a three-day joint exercise with its allies Japan and South Korea as President Joe Biden  meets for talks with leaders from Japan and the Philippines at the White House.

The dueling military and diplomatic maneuvers are meant to strengthen the partners’ solidarity in the face of China ’s aggressive military actions in the region.

A number of U.S. and South Korean guided missile destroyers and a Japanese warship joined the April 10-12 drill in the disputed East China Sea, where worries about China territorial claims are rising. The Associated Press was one of several news organizations allowed a front-row look at the drills.

Rear Adm. Christopher Alexander, commander of Carrier Strike Group Nine, said the three nations conducted undersea warfare exercises, maritime interdiction operations, search and rescue drills and work focused on communication and data sharing. He told journalists Thursday on the Roosevelt that these drills would help improve communication among the United States and its allies and “better prepare us for a crisis in the region.”

F/A-18E Super Hornet combat jets took off from the carrier’s flight deck, which also had anti-submarine MH-60R Seahawk helicopters. Journalists were flown more than an hour from Kadena Air Base, the hub of U.S. Pacific air power. Kadena is on Japan’s southern island of Okinawa, which is home to about half of the 50,000 American troops stationed in Japan.

“It is a busy time; there is a lot going on in the world,” Alexander said. “The significance of this exercise is we have three like-minded countries, three like-minded navies that believe in peace, security and stability in the western Pacific.”

The participation of Japan and South Korea was another sign of improving ties between the sometimes wary neighbors. The two U.S. allies’ relationship has often been strained by the memory of Japan’s half-century colonization of the Korean Peninsula. Washington has been pressing them to cooperate so the three partners can better deal with threats from China and North Korea .

This week’s huge parliamentary election defeat of the governing party of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol , who has sought better relations with Japan, could constrain his Japan-friendly efforts, but experts believe ties will remain stable.

The latest naval exercise is part of Biden’s work to deepen security and diplomatic engagement with Indo-Pacific nations. Biden invited Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to the White House for their first trilateral talks Thursday, and has declared that the U.S. defense commitment to the Pacific allies is “ironclad.”

Tensions between China and the Philippines have risen over repeated clashes by the two nations’ coast guard vessels in the disputed South China Sea . Chinese coast guard ships also regularly approach disputed Japanese-controlled East China Sea islands near  Taiwan .

Beijing has defended its operations in the South China Sea and blamed the U.S. for creating tensions. Chinese President Xi Jinping had a series of talks this week with senior officials from Vietnam, Russia and Taiwan .

The U.S.-Japan-South Korea naval exercises follow four-way drills held in the South China Sea, where Japan joined the United States, Australia and the Philippines. Participants carefully avoided mentioning China and said they were holding the exercises to safeguard a peaceful and stable Indo-Pacific.

An area of long-simmering disputes, the South China Sea serves as a key sea lane for global trade. Concerned governments include Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei and Taiwan.

The Associated Press

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China, US defence chiefs hold first substantive talks in nearly 18 months

Lloyd Austin and Dong Jun talk South China Sea, Taiwan, North Korea and Ukraine in wide-ranging discussion.

United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and his Chinese counterpart Dong Jun have held their first substantive talks in nearly 18 months as the two countries work to restore military ties.

The two spoke via videoconference on Tuesday, the Pentagon said in a statement.

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It said Austin “underscored the importance of respect for high seas freedom of navigation guaranteed under international law, especially in the South China Sea”.

An escalating diplomatic dispute and recent incidents between China and the Philippines , a US treaty ally, at a disputed shoal have turned the strategically significant South China Sea into a potential flashpoint between Washington and Beijing.

China claims the sea almost in its entirety while Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam claim the areas around their coasts.

An international court ruled in 2016 that China’s nine-dash line , on which Beijing bases its claim, was without merit.

“The US side should recognise China’s firm position, respect China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, and take practical actions to safeguard regional peace,” Dong was quoted as saying in a statement by China’s Ministry of Defence.

He also warned the US over the democratic island of Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own, emphasising it was the “core of China’s core interests”.

Austin’s last significant interaction with China’s defence minister was in November 2022 when he met Wei Fenghe in Cambodia.

Wei was subsequently replaced by Li Shangfu, who shook hands and spoke briefly with Austin at a security conference in Singapore last June, but steered clear of a formal meeting. Li, who was under US sanctions, disappeared from view shortly afterwards and was fired in October. Dong was appointed in December.

Ways to ‘get along’

The US and China have been working to improve a relationship that had become increasingly acrimonious over issues from Taiwan to the South China Sea, as well as trade and human rights.

US President Joe Biden met Chinese President Xi Jinping in California last November where they agreed to stabilise the relationship and resume military ties which had been frozen as a result of then-US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan.

The US’s top military general later held discussions with his Chinese counterpart and this month, US and Chinese military officials met in Hawaii to discuss ways the two countries could operate safely.

China and the US should explore ways to “get along” and “gradually accumulate mutual trust” by building a “non-conflict, non-confrontation”, pragmatic and cooperative relationship between their militaries, Dong was quoted as saying on his call with Austin.

“The military sphere is the key… to stabilising the development of the relationship and preventing major crises from occurring,” he said.

Austin also stressed the need to maintain open lines of communication to reduce the risk of potential flare-ups or deal with any accidents.

“Secretary Austin emphasized the importance of continuing to open lines of military-to-military communication between the United States and the PRC,” the Pentagon said, using an acronym for the People’s Republic of China.

The Pentagon said the two men also discussed issues including Russia’s war in Ukraine and North Korea.