Is Daegu safe?
Very safe. Summer heat and drunk groups at weekends are the main issues; scams are rare.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 5/5, very safe.
- US travel advisory: Level 1: Exercise normal precautions, updated 2025-05-27.
- Homicide rate in South Korea: 0.5 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in South Korea: 8.6 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 112 · Ambulance 119 · Fire 119 · Tourist police 1330.
Safety in Daegu at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Crime | Violent and petty crime are low. Occasional drunk fights around Dongseongno clubs and bars. |
| At night | Streets and subway stay busy late in the center. Subway ends around midnight; taxis are cheap. |
| Solo women | Very comfortable for solo women. Normal care with drinks in nightclub areas. |
| Other risks | Extreme summer heat; Spring and winter fine dust |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Few scams; religious recruiters approaching foreigners with surveys or tea
Take care
- Dongseongno bar streets late: fights and padded bills
- Summer afternoons: heat above 35 degrees
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Drugs, including cannabis, mean jail and deportation; some ADHD and sleep medicines need pre-approval.
- Jaywalking and smoking outside designated areas can bring on-the-spot fines.
How Daegu compares in South Korea
Quick answers
Is Daegu safe for solo female travelers?
Very comfortable for solo women. Normal care with drinks in nightclub areas.
Is Daegu safe at night?
Streets and subway stay busy late in the center. Subway ends around midnight; taxis are cheap.
What is the crime rate in Daegu?
Violent and petty crime are low. Occasional drunk fights around Dongseongno clubs and bars. Nationally, South Korea records 0.5 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Daegu?
Police 112 · Ambulance 119 · Fire 119 · Tourist police 1330.
More about Daegu
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Daegu Tourism
- Daegu Metro
- Korail (KTX)
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.