When travelers search for information about South Korea, one of the first questions that often comes up is: “Is it safe?” If you’ve ever wandered the streets of Seoul or Busan , you probably noticed how different the atmosphere feels compared to big cities in the United States or Europe. Walking alone at midnight, riding the subway late at night, or even leaving your laptop in a café while you go to the restroom—things that might seem unthinkable elsewhere—are surprisingly normal here. Still, just because South Korea is statistically one of the safest countries in the world doesn’t mean every street or alley is equally welcoming, especially after dark. Think of it like this: even in New York , Tokyo , or Paris , you wouldn’t wander into certain neighborhoods at 3 a.m. without a second thought. South Korea has a few of those corners too—not dangerous in the “gangs and guns” sense, but places where a mix of alcohol, nightlife, or simply a lack of streetlights can make a traveler ...