Is it safe to withdraw cash in South Korea or not?
Late-night withdrawals in Korea are common - even locals do it casually. Machines support multiple languages and have great uptime. Just avoid the tiny stand-alone kiosks in alleyways if you want to play it safe.
I liked that many ATMs here are indoors, like in subway stations or inside shops. Even when I used one near a quiet street, I never felt unsafe. The interfaces are tourist-friendly too.
Busan was no different - I used a KEB Hana machine after a late meal with no issues. South Korea’s banking system is very modern, and almost every ATM I saw was operational 24 removed link
In Seoul, I used a Woori Bank ATM inside a CU convenience store at midnight. Bright lights, CCTV, and people coming and going made it feel very safe. ATM safety in South Korea at night is among the best in Asia.