Top 2 Most Common Travel Complaints Among Foreign Tourists in South Korea

The Korean Wave has fueled a global tourism boom, attracting over 17 million visitors to South Korea last year to experience its food, scenery, fashion, and culture. The Korea Tourism Organization recently released data from its complaint center, identifying two major types of travel disputes and urging travelers to stay alert.

According to the Korea Tourism Organization’s foreign tourist complaint survey, the number of reported cases in 2016 increased by over 20% compared to previous years, totaling 1,310 incidents. Shopping-related issues were the most frequent, including dissatisfaction with product prices, tax refund procedures, and poor customer service. Some tourists complained about being pressured into purchases, having their cards charged multiple times, or facing discrimination, verbal abuse, and language barriers.

Taxi-related disputes were another major issue. Nearly half of the foreign tourists who filed complaints in this category reported being overcharged, while others cited drivers taking unnecessarily long routes or displaying rude behavior as key sources of dissatisfaction.