Informational only, not legal advice. Verify with official sources before relying on this.

Know Abroad

South KoreaSouth Korea

Local Laws & Customs

Last verified August 21, 2026

Written for U.S. passport holders

Public Conduct

  • Smoking is banned in most indoor public spaces and many outdoor areas near building entrances, schools, and parks; designated smoking areas are common in cities.

Medicines You Can't Bring

  • Some ADHD stimulants and codeine-based medications require prior approval or documentation through Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety; bring the original prescription and check status before traveling with a controlled medication.

Photography & Drones

  • Avoid photographing military installations, especially near the DMZ, where restrictions are actively enforced. Drones over 250g require registration, and flying near airports, military zones, and the DMZ is heavily restricted.

Drugs & Alcohol

  • The legal drinking age is 19 by international reckoning, but South Korea calculates it by birth year, not exact birthdate, so someone turns legal on January 1st of the relevant year regardless of their actual birthday.
  • South Korea enforces one of the strictest zero-tolerance drug policies in the world, applying equally to foreign nationals and citizens. This extends to cannabis and CBD products that may be legal where you live; getting caught can mean immediate arrest, months in detention, and a permanent entry ban.

Carrying ID

  • Carry your passport (specifically the passport, not just a copy) since it's the standard form of ID checked when buying alcohol or if stopped by police.

The Gotcha

South Korea's zero-tolerance drug policy extends to CBD, which trips people up because CBD products are widely available and federally legal-adjacent in much of the U.S. In Korea, CBD possession is treated the same as any other controlled substance, don't assume 'it's just CBD' is a meaningful defense.

Sources

This page was drafted from the primary sources below. Rules change, so check the linked page directly before relying on any of this.