South Korea

South Korea in January

Asia Updated 2026-07-01

Bitterly cold and dry, with a nationwide shutdown for a few days around the lunar new year.

Is January a good time to visit South Korea?

January is one of the better months across South Korea, with crowds averaging 48/100 and typical highs near 2°C.

What closes and what fills up in January

  • Seollal, lunar new year (movable) — much of the country closes

How January compares across the year

Book things to do

South Korea: tours and tickets in Seoul, from our booking partner.

Affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. It never changes a crowd score or the order of our recommendations.

Frequently asked questions

Is January a good month to visit South Korea?

January is one of the better months across South Korea, with crowds averaging 48/100 and typical highs near 2°C.

How busy is South Korea in January?

Averaged across the destinations we track, South Korea sits near 48/100 in January. The calmest of them is Seoul.

What is the weather like in South Korea in January?

Expect average highs near 2°C and lows near -6°C, with roughly 6 wet days — though South Korea varies by region.

Other months in South Korea