Have you ever had a tricky situation when it comes to drinking or entering bars or clubs in Korea? Let us know in the comments below! One of the main reasons why the country has a great consumer culture once you are past drinking age in Korea is that it helps people lose their inhibitions and socialize. After a few strokes of soju, even the most shy person is more sociable and talkative. So if an acquaintance suggests going out for drinks with you, it`s probably because they need an icebreaker. Also, it creates a stronger bond for Koreans to have time around alcohol. This seems to apply to both social and industrial relations. Make sure you are of legal drinking age in Korea for your own safety and the safety of others. However, you can still enjoy a great time and fun nightlife in South Korea, whether you can drink alcohol or not, because there are many other things besides drinking in South Korea. This is different with the local legal drinking age for ordinary people in South Korea, as South Korea enforces and follows U.S. law regarding the legal drinking age of the U.S. military stationed in South Korea. Legal aid – If you need legal assistance, contact your embassy or consulate immediately. Although they are not lawyers, they may be able to refer you to an English-speaking lawyer.
If you are arrested, you will not be entitled to your single appeal. Although the police are required to contact your embassy, they can do so in writing, which can take up to a week. In South Korea, there are no laws for open containers, so you will see a lot of people walking down the street and drinking alcohol in public. However, you should avoid drunk driving under the influence of alcohol in South Korea at all costs, as the country has zero tolerance for it. Many people here are usually not asked to give their identity until they can drink in local bars and restaurants or simply buy alcohol in a supermarket. Especially if you live outside of Seoul, you can be sure that the legal rules regarding the minimum drinking age will be enforced even less strictly. Although it is not normal for people here to drink during working hours, having dinner with your colleagues, especially on Friday nights, is very common as long as you are past drinking age in Korea. And as you`d expect, soju and other alcoholic beverages are the stars of the table. There are many possible reasons why people gather for an after-work dinner. One of them is that it gives everyone the opportunity to get to know each other and build stronger relationships. It would therefore be a shame not to share this experience.
If you are a foreigner traveling to South Korea and visiting certain bars or nightclubs, especially in Seoul, you can be sure that they will ask for your identity, passport or proof of age before you can enter these bars and nightclubs. “I`m just sad for them,” said Park Hyo Ju, a biologically aged 34-year-old law student. In bustling Seoul neighborhoods like Hongdae and Gangnam, going out late for the first time — and legally — is a “big deal,” she said. As you see in Korean drama or Korean movie, they almost always drink soju or maekju as a drink for everything they eat during lunch or especially dinner. Beer really helps us relax, especially after our hectic and stressful time at work, it really helps us sleep better and let go of our anxiety and problems. The measure, which brings guests and drinkers onto the streets and subways at 9 p.m., is expected to last until at least January. 16, or long enough to exclude people born in 2003 from the usual coming-of-age celebration in a country with a strong drinking culture. (South Korea has higher rates of “abusive” alcohol consumption than the United States, according to the World Health Organization.) While many people really enjoy drinking beer or soju, the legal drinking age in Korea can be confusing compared to other countries because, as we know, the Korean age is different from the international age you might use in your country. 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. “Without the pandemic, I would spend Friday nights at a beer bar with friends, drinking and trying all kinds of anju like grilled pork belly, ramen and dried pollock,” Kim said, listing the foods that usually accompany alcohol in South Korea. To be more precise and precise, starting on January 1 of the year in which he reaches the age of 20, every adult can legally drink alcohol, since everyone adds a year at the beginning of the new year of each year. You should keep in mind that Koreans drink mainly for social purposes and within social hierarchies. Therefore, there are some things you should keep in mind to show respect not only to the people you drink with, but also to the culture itself. Drinking laws – The legal drinking age is 20 (or more precisely, January 1 of the year the person turns 20, as everyone is considered to be one year older when the year turns). Bars and nightclubs are usually open daily from 6pm to midnight, with longer opening hours (some are open from noon until the wee hours of the morning) on Friday and Saturday. In some areas of Seoul (such as Itaewon or Hongik) and other major cities, some bars remain open 24 hours a day. Beer and soju (South Korea`s infamous vodka-like liquor) are widely available in grocery stores and convenience stores, while wine is more likely to be found in specialty wine stores. Traditional Korean liquors (such as Makgeolli) can be found in traditional restaurants and some trendy bars. Alcohol is sold in department stores, supermarkets and convenience stores.
Drinking is a big part of Korean culture. Drinking with Koreans as a foreigner gives you the opportunity to truly immerse yourself in the local culture and customs. This is partly due to the existence and availability of many unique Korean alcoholic beverages. So if you`re visiting the land of morning calm, one of the best ways to really experience the local culture on a deeper level is to try the country`s special beers. But what is the drinking age in Korea? Let`s check if you`re old enough to drink alcohol there! If you are planning a trip and are past drinking age in Korea, always remember that it is best to exercise moderation when drinking. That is, be responsible, but don`t be afraid to have fun! Historically, South Koreans loved to drink to celebrate special days. It was an obligation. Today, however, it has become an excuse to drink with friends and colleagues. So relax, enjoy, and get ready for a hangover (and maybe stock up on some of the remedies listed above!). If you are still wondering about the legal drinking age using the international age, then the legal drinking age in Korea for foreigners using the international age counting system is about 19 for most people.
Soju, beer and drink culture is immersed in almost all Asian countries such as China, Japan, and South Korea. Almost all ages like to eat their meals with soju or maekju as a drinking companion, except coffee of course. Although the legal drinking age is not strictly enforced in South Korea, keep in mind that it is always best to follow the law when you are abroad. Underage drinking is somewhat limited by bartenders` reluctance to serve alcoholic beverages to young people. However, keep in mind that the Korean age system is slightly different – for Koreans, you have 1 year old once you are born. This means that the drinking age for international visitors is actually 19. Meanwhile, the legal drinking age for U.S. soldiers stationed in Korea is 21.
South Korea, especially Seoul, is really known for its lively and crazy nightlife and drinking culture almost everywhere in every restaurant, especially in the chicken coop. Many people usually have a few beers or soju at the supermarket and spend time with friends at home or other places just to have good conversations. This drink is sweet, carbonated and tangy – it tastes like champagne! Makgeolli is a popular drink among young women, but can of course be enjoyed by both sexes and at any age (as long as it is above the drinking age in Korea!). It is best enjoyed with delicious pancakes. Newspapers and magazines – The English versions of two Korean newspapers, the Korean Herald (www.koreaherald.co.kr) and the Korea Times (www.koreatimes.co.kr), can be found in convenience stores; street stalls; Hotels; or bus, train and metro terminals for about W600.