“Tourist police” launched to protect tourists in Korea

In an effort to prevent crime against foreign tourists and to provide guidance, tourist police have been deployed around major tourist attractions in Seoul.

On October 16, 2013, the tourist police force held a launching ceremony in Seoul’s Gwanghawmun Square, and began its official mission. The tourist police force is composed of police officers with excellent foreign language skills.

They have been allocated among the popular tourist attractions in Seoul, including Myeong-dong, Itaewon, Insa-dong, Hongik University, Jong-ro and Cheonggyecheon. The main duties of the tourist police are preventing crime, price gouging and pickpocketing aimed at foreign tourists, maintaining public order, and dealing with tourist complaints and inconveniences.

Tourists can take the AREX line from Incheon Airport to the center of Seoul with access to six transfer stations, including Hongik University Station.

The AREX line has two types of trains: an express train running nonstop from Incheon Airport to Seoul Station and a regular train that stops at all ten stations along the way.