Australian Embassy
Republic of Korea
and Democratic People's Republic of Korea

Message to Aus Community

Message from the Australian Embassy in Seoul to the Australian community in the Republic of Korea (ROK)

As you would be aware there is much media speculation regarding the current situation on the Korean peninsula. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is keeping the travel advice for the ROK [smartraveller.gov.au/advice/south_korea] under close review.

Australians are currently advised to ‘Exercise normal safety precautions’ in the ROK; this is the lowest of the four levels of advice. Australians in the ROK are also advised to monitor developments closely because of the risk that tensions on the Korean Peninsula could escalate with little warning. This advice is based on the Department’s best assessment of the current security situation drawing on a range of sources of information, including the Embassy's ongoing close liaison with the ROK Government and representatives of other governments in Seoul.

As always, you should register [https://www.orao.dfat.gov.au/orao/weborao.nsf/Homeform?Openform] your details with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade through the Smartraveller website and subscribe [http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/accounts] to the travel advice for the ROK. That way, we will be able to contact you, and you will automatically receive notification by email of any change to the travel advice. Australians in the ROK should also see the information on ‘Preparing for an emergency’ available on the Embassy’s website [http://www.southkorea.embassy.gov.au/seol/emergency_09.html].

It is also important that you and your family make your own decisions regarding your safety based on your individual personal circumstances. As with anyone living overseas, you should have emergency plans in place relevant to your own situation, including ensuring that travel documentation is up-to-date and readily accessible. Your decisions should not be made on an assumption that the Australian Government will evacuate citizens if the situation deteriorates.

The Department will continue to monitor the situation closely and any changed assessment will be reflected in the travel advice for the ROK.