So, in 2017, if you were born in 98`, can you drink? and also what about America, I`m 18, but my Korean age is 19? Should my Korean age be 20 for me to drink? 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. 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. News magazines published abroad can be found in most major hotel bookstores, but for more specialized magazines or magazines, visit major bookstores in major cities. 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. Embassies and consulates — Seoul is located in the United States (tel. 02/397-4114; seoul.usembassy.gov), United Kingdom (tel. 02/3210-5500; ukinkorea.fco.gov.uk/en), Canada (tel. 02/3455-6000; www.korea.gc.ca) and Australia (tel. 02/2003-0100; www.australia.or.kr).
There are British (tel. 070/7733-1055), Canadian (tel. 051/246-7024) and Australian (tel. 051/647-1762) consulates in Busan. 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. 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! As in many other countries, you must show that you have reached a certain age before you can buy alcohol or enter certain bars and clubs, whether you are Korean or foreign traveling or living only in South Korea. Of course, the classic and most commonly consumed alcohol in South Korea is rice alcohol called soju. In fact, this drink accounts for 97% of the South Korean spirits market. If you haven`t seen soju yet, this is a clear distilled rice liquor. It`s almost as strong as vodka (but not quite). In major cities, you will find bars open 24 hours a day. The most popular alcoholic beverages in South Korea, soju and beer, are served not only in bars, but also in grocery stores and convenience stores. Wine is usually available in specialty stores. Classic Korean drinks, such as Makgeolli, are usually found in the trendiest restaurants and bars.
Alcohol is available in many different locations, including convenience stores, supermarkets, and department stores. Most people use the Korean age, which has its roots in China, in everyday life and social scenarios, while the international age is more commonly used for legal and official matters – for example in the treatment of civil rights. As more and more people come to South Korea to study, work or live in Korea, the Korean government has become stricter in terms of regulating alcohol consumption and the legal age for people living in South Korea. Also, if you are offered a drink, make sure you accept it by holding your glass with both hands instead of one. And no matter what you`re offered, make sure you accept it, otherwise the other party might be offended. However, some laws – including those regarding the legal age for alcohol, smoking and conscription – use the calendar year age. 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 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.
Before we tell you about the legal drinking age in Korea, you must first understand the age counting system we use in Korea. In South Korea, everyone internationally is one to two years older than the age of birth. 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. “The revision aims to reduce unnecessary socio-economic costs as legal and social conflicts persist as well as confusion due to different methods of calculating age,” Yoo Sang-bum of the ruling People`s Power Party said, according to Reuters. 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! To drink legally in 2016, your year of birth must be before 1998. If you were born in 1997 or earlier, that`s fine, but not for 1998 and after. In general, clubs and bars prohibit not only the consumption of alcohol by minors, but also the entry of minors. The age of entry depends on each club/bar, but it will certainly not be lower than the age of consumption. But when asked about their age in informal settings, most South Koreans answer with their “Korean age,” which could be a year or even two older than their “international age.” I`ll be 19 (20 in Korea) when I`m there, but my boyfriend won`t be 19 until December.
We are looking for places like Henz/Octagon/NB (or just places in Hongdae) and would like to know if clubs are generally lenient towards foreigners (especially since my friend/FAST/legal is)! The legal drinking age in South Korea is 19. 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. I am from the UK and the places are strict with identity and entry. Not as bad as the United States. Sometimes I had to show my ID at bars and convenience stores when I was living in Korea in my early thirties. 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. Just make sure you follow the rules and if you are not of legal drinking age in South Korea, make sure you don`t try to break the rules, follow them and make sure everyone including you is sure you don`t want to have a problem with the government when traveling or studying in South Korea.
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.