Smoking and drinking rules

Under Korea's Youth Protection Act, people are treated as minors until January 1 of the year they turn 19, so you can buy alcohol from that point. Shops and bars may ask for ID, and as a foreign visitor your passport is the safest document to carry.

Drinking outdoors, such as at riverside parks, is fairly common in Korea, but local governments can designate alcohol-free zones by ordinance where fines apply. Parks and playgrounds are not banned nationwide; each local government decides which places are covered. Watch for signs, and remember that drunken disturbances can lead to penalties.

Restaurants, cafés, bars and most indoor public spaces are entirely non-smoking, though venues may have a separate smoking room that meets legal standards. Outdoors, you are expected to use designated smoking areas, and many local governments have designated areas around subway entrances and bus stops as no-smoking zones.

Yes. Smoking in a designated non-smoking area can result in a fine, set under national law and local ordinances, so the amount can differ by area. Tourists are not exempt. Look for signs or check a map app to find official smoking areas before lighting up.

Yes. Heated tobacco and liquid e-cigarettes are treated like regular cigarettes, so you cannot use them in no-smoking areas. Vaping indoors or on public transport can lead to a fine. Use designated smoking areas, and check customs guidance on bringing in e-liquids.

If you look young, bars, clubs and convenience stores may ask for ID, since businesses face penalties for selling alcohol to minors. Foreign visitors usually show a passport or alien registration card. Without valid ID, you may be refused entry or service.

Korea's legal limit is a blood alcohol concentration of 0.03 percent, which is strict. Riding e-scooters or bicycles while drunk can also be penalized. If you have had anything to drink, do not drive; use a taxi or a designated driver service instead.

Generally, yes. Korean convenience stores sell alcohol around the clock, including soju, beer and makgeolli. Sellers must verify the buyer's age and identity, so staff may ask for your passport, and age checks also apply at unstaffed stores. Carry your passport when you plan to buy alcohol.

When an older person pours for you, hold your glass with both hands, and turn your head slightly away when you drink. People typically pour for each other rather than for themselves. Hosts rarely expect foreign guests to follow every rule, so relax and enjoy the occasion.

Yes, absolutely. Leaving some in your glass usually signals you do not want a refill, and you can simply say 'geuman masilgeyo' (I will stop here). If you do not drink for health or religious reasons, toasting with a soft drink is perfectly acceptable.

Travelers can bring a limited amount of alcohol into Korea duty-free, defined by number of bottles, total volume and value. The limits change from time to time, so check the Korea Customs Service's official guidance before you travel. Anything over the allowance must be declared and taxed.

Yes, up to a set duty-free allowance, with separate limits for cigarettes, e-cigarettes and other tobacco products. Anything over the limit must be declared to customs. Because allowances can change, the Korea Customs Service's official guidance is the most reliable source before you pack.

Drunken disturbances or fights can lead to charges such as minor offenses, assault or obstruction of business. For foreigners, there may also be consequences for future visas or re-entry. If you have had too much, head back early, and walk away from any argument.

Many bars stay open late, and nightlife districts such as Hongdae, Itaewon and Gangnam have places open until dawn. Hours vary by venue, so check a map app. If you stay out late, the last subway may have left, so plan how you will get back.

Most hotels and guesthouses are non-smoking, and breaking the rule can mean a cleaning fee or penalty charge. If you smoke, ask the front desk whether there is a designated smoking area. Many properties also ban smoking on balconies, so check before you light up.

Chicken and beer by the Han River is a popular pastime, and drinking itself is not banned across the parks. However, drunken rowdiness or behavior that disturbs or alarms others can lead to a fine. Walking near the water's edge while drunk or going into the river is extremely dangerous, and sort your trash into the designated bins.

Generally no. Bringing in or possessing cannabis and cannabis-derived products is banned in principle, even if bought legally abroad, and can lead to prosecution. CBD products are also prohibited in principle; only specific approved medical products fall under legal exceptions. It is safest not to bring them, and check official customs guidance.

Many Koreans eat haejangguk, a warm, hearty soup meant to settle the stomach after drinking. Convenience stores also sell hangover drinks and jellies. Drink plenty of water, and if symptoms are severe or last a long time, see a doctor.

Yes. Like alcohol, tobacco cannot be sold to minors under the Youth Protection Act. Convenience stores may ask for ID to check your age, so carry your passport. The same rules apply to e-cigarette devices and liquids, so expect to be checked when buying those too.

Searching 'heubyeon guyeok' (smoking area) or 'smoking booth' in a map app sometimes shows nearby spots. Some major stations and busy districts have enclosed smoking booths. Rather than lighting up somewhere unmarked, ask a nearby shop worker where the closest designated area is.