Whats the drinking age in korea

Table of Contents Show

How old do you have to be to buy alcohol in South Korea? | Korean Age vs. International Age
What is the legal drinking age in Korea? What is the clubbing age in Seoul, Korea?
Legal Drinking Age for US Military in Korea
Can I drink in Korea if im 18?
Can I drink in Korea if my Korean age is 19?
Can a 16 year old drink in Korea?
Can I drink in Korea at 20?

Photo by Eiliv-Sonas Aceron on Unsplash

The legal drinking age in Korea is much more confusing than in most countries because Korea counts age differently (more below).

As in many countries, before you can purchase alcohol or enter certain bars or clubs, you need to be a certain age whether you are a native Korean or foreigner. As Korea continues to become increasingly globalized, the Korean government has become stricter at enforcing drinking regulations.

Be sure to honor the legal drinking age in Korea for your own safety and the safety of others. You can still enjoy a fun and boisterous nightlife in Korea whether you drink alcohol or not.

Please stay safe.

How old do you have to be to buy alcohol in South Korea? | Korean Age vs. International Age

To understand the legal drinking age in Korea, you need to understand the system for counting age used in Korea. In Korea, everyone is one or two years older than their birth age.

In Korea’s unique age system, they consider the time spent in the womb as adding one year of age, so everyone in the country is considered one year old at the time of their birth.

Additionally, everyone turns another year older on Lunar New Year’s Day. The solar New Year’s Day has come to be recognized instead of the Lunar New Year for most people in modern day Korea.

Because of this, someone born on December 31st (or right before the Lunar New Year) is considered two years old only a few days or weeks after their birth. To determine what your Korean age is you need to add 1-2 years to what the rest of the world considers your age.

What is the legal drinking age in Korea? What is the clubbing age in Seoul, Korea?

The legal drinking age in South Korea is 20 years old in Korean age. This is also the age that you have to be to enter most night clubs in Korea.

What does this mean for you?

The legal drinking age in Korea for foreigners is 19 years of age for most people.

Specifically, adults can legally drink alcohol from January 1st of the year they turn 20, since everyone adds one year at the start of the new year.

Perhaps because of the flexibility in the way age is determined in Korea, the legal drinking age in Korea is not nearly as strictly enforced as it is in the United States and in other countries. Most people obviously approaching the legal drinking age in Korea will frequently not be asked for their ID to drink at local bars and restaurants when they order alcohol. This is even more true outside of Seoul, where rules are even less strictly enforced.

Going clubbing is another matter. Many clubs ask for proof of age as young people enter the club.

Legal Drinking Age for US Military in Korea

Sorry to break the news to you, but for U.S. military stationed in South Korea, the legal drinking age is still 21 years according to their international age (following U.S. law).

See also

South Korea is known for its vibrant nightlife and drinking culture. Grabbing a few beers or a little soju from the convenience store and hanging out with a few friends is one of the most popular pastimes.

While out and about, foreigners in South Korea can expect to be asked for their passport or ID when visiting bars and nightclubs, drinking alcohol at restaurants, and drinking at “pochas” or “hofs”. At some clubs, those under the legal drinking age will not be allowed to enter at all.

So, the next time you are out drinking, make sure to keep your ID card close and be of age.

For those of age, if you are looking for alcohol delivered to your doorstep, you can check out our article about Sooldamhwa: Get Korean Soju, Makgeolli & Other Traditional Alcohol Delivered in Korea.

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Many foreign travelers continue to arrive in Korea to experience the distinct culture and tradition the country offers while others are looking to indulge themselves with amazing Korean food. And in recent years, the Korean nightlife seems to have been added to travelers’ list of things to do when they visit this vibrant country. Korean nightlife provides a one-of-a-kind experience, most definitely involving rounds of drinking and bar hopping. But do you know how old you should be in order to legally drink or purchase alcoholic beverages in Korea?

Photo: 세계일보

The current legal drinking age in Korea is set at 19. However, there is a catch. People who travel to Korea might or might not be familiar with the peculiar Korean age system, which is perhaps entirely different from what they are used to back home. In Korea, you are 1 year old the moment you are born and age another year on New Year’s Day. While this system affects Korean locals in terms of the legal drinking age, international visitors need not worry as it does not make you any younger. In short, the drinking age in Korea remains 19 years old for non-Korean residents and travelers.

In my opinion, the legal drinking age in Korea is not strictly enforced compared to other countries. But, this by no means means that underage drinking in Korea is tolerated. In fact, the police in recent years have stepped up their efforts to ensure people are conforming to the law. They monitor bars, clubs, and places that deal with alcoholic beverages more closely and discourage them to serve alcoholic drinks to young people by introducing heavy fines and punishments.

If you have been living in Korea for the past few years, you must have noticed that almost all bartenders check your ID before you can order alcoholic drinks on their premises. If you are a long-term resident, you can simply present your ARC to prove your age when you go out for drinks. For those who are temporary visitors, make sure you have your passport handy if you plan on having a night out in Korea. While some local drinking places and restaurants might accept your foreign student ID or other forms of identification, more populated areas renowned for their vibrant nightlife cultures like Hongdae and Gangnam tend to be more strict with checking ID and only accept a valid ARC or a passport for foreign customers.

Korea does not have open-container laws, meaning public drinking is allowed and is in fact a very common activity for both young and elderly people. If you go out to Seoul’s iconic Han River, you will see many groups of students chatting over a can of beer while enjoying the night view. But even in the cases of drinking outside, make sure you are following the drinking age when you purchase alcoholic drinks at a convenience store or supermarket.

For instance, you can easily find and hire a chauffeur who can drive your car and take you back home on this app that you can link to your Kakao Talk. (Download: iOS / Google Play)

Last but by no means least, do not even think about drinking and driving in Korea as drunk driving laws are much more strictly enforced and punished than the legal drinking age. Make use of Korea’s cheap and convenient public transport if you plan on drinking. If your car is with you but you cannot miss your important friend’s birthday party, book a chauffeur - ‘daeri unjeon’ (대리운전) - to help you get back home safe and sound.

Can I drink in Korea if im 18?

Drinking Laws -- The legal drinking age is 20 (or more specifically Jan 1 of the year the person turns 20, since everyone is considered a year older when the year turns).

Can I drink in Korea if my Korean age is 19?

The legal drinking age in South Korea is 20 years old in Korean age. This is also the age that you have to be to enter most night clubs in Korea. What does this mean for you? The legal drinking age in Korea for foreigners is 19 years of age for most people.

Can a 16 year old drink in Korea?

In many countries including Korea, it is illegal for adolescents to buy or drink alcohol. According to the Youth Protection Act in Korea, people over the age of 19 can purchase alcohol.

Can I drink in Korea at 20?

The simplest answer to this question is that the legal drinking age in South Korea is 20, using the Korean counting age. This also applies to all nightclubs in Korea. This means that the year you can drink alcohol is exactly the year you can enter most nightclubs in South Korea.