South Korea

South Korea enforces drug laws strictly — even mailing illegal drugs to or from Korea is commonly prosecuted, and you can be charged over drug use no matter where it happened.

Arrest, prosecution, and possible imprisonment

Cannabis is illegal in South Korea in every recreational form, and there is no minimum amount that is overlooked. Possessing, carrying, storing or using any quantity carries up to 5 years' imprisonment or a fine of up to 50 million won. Bringing it into the country is punished far more harshly than possessing it: importing cannabis, or merely possessing it with intent to import, carries life imprisonment or a minimum of 5 years. The only lawful route is a narrow medical scheme for specific cannabis medicines already approved by an overseas regulator, which needs advance written approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, and the US Embassy warns that even a US prescription can still lead to arrest or deportation.

Possessing, carrying, storing or using cannabis: up to 5 years' imprisonment or a fine of up to 50 million won (Narcotics Control Act art. 61(1)6). Smoking or eating cannabis carries the same range (art. 61(1)4). Habitual offences are aggravated by up to one half, and attempts are punishable (art. 61(2), (3)). Importing or exporting cannabis, including carrying it in through the airport, or possessing it for that purpose is far graver: life imprisonment or at least 5 years (art. 58(1)5), rising to death, life, or at least 10 years where the act is for profit or habitual (art. 58(2)). The Korean government states that its own nationals are prosecuted under this Act for cannabis used abroad, even in countries where it is legal; that personal-jurisdiction rule reaches Korean nationals, not foreign visitors. The UK Foreign Office adds that British nationals have been detained solely on the basis of drug tests.

Narcotics, amphetamines, and opioids need written pre-approval from Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (K-MFDS), and even poppy seeds — including bagel seasoning blends — are illegal to bring into South Korea.

Criminal charges for banned meds or poppy seeds

Poppy seeds and foods containing them (including some bagel seasoning blends) are illegal to bring into South Korea and can bring criminal charges.

Possible criminal charges for attempting to import.

South Korea bans importing poppy seeds or any food containing them (e.g., certain bagel seasoning blends); bringing them in risks criminal charges.

Possible criminal charges.

All drivers need an International Driving Permit (or a Korean license), and a blood-alcohol level of 0.03% or higher is legally intoxicated — police run DUI checkpoints and refusing a breathalyzer cancels your license.

DUI at 0.03% BAC; license loss for refusing a test

There are no legal restrictions on consensual same-sex sexual relations in South Korea, though same-sex marriage is not legally recognized.