It was found in a wide variety of habitats in the north-eastern, north-western, central and southern Korean peninsula.

It is most common in lowland forested areas, preferring edge habitats with brushy cover near a stream or river.

[3] A study was done in 2012 to determine the genetic identity of the subspecies V. v. peculiosa to optimize re-introduction efforts since use of original South Korean individuals is practically impossible as no pure breed remains.

[3] In 1976 a male red fox was captured in the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and in 1987 another individual was found in the Jirisian national park.

[4] Reintroduction program with captive animals from the Seoul Zoo has been run at Sobaeksan National Park to reestablish the local population of 50 by 2020.