It warns U.S. citizens and their families, especially young adults, to exercise prudence when visiting the Hongdae and Sinchon. "These areas, where many night clubs are located, have occasionally been the sites of bar or street fights and harassment involving Westerners," it says.

The website also warns that although the crime rate in Korea is low, "there is a higher incidence of pick-pocketing, purse snatching, assault, hotel room and residential burglary, and residential crime in major metropolitan areas, such as Seoul and Busan, than elsewhere in Korea."

It also says that foreign tourists and visitors should be aware that they are likely to be an easy target for crimes in a popular shopping destination like Itaewon, and some popular travel spots.

(englishnews@chosun.com )