Tobacco — South Korea
What travelers need to know about tobacco in South Korea. What is legal at home can be a serious crime here — each rule links to its official source.
Tobacco in South Korea: restricted — there are real limits travelers must follow.
In South Korea the smoking ban covers whole buildings, not just rooms. Article 9 of the National Health Promotion Act requires owners, occupiers and managers of the listed public-use facilities to designate the ENTIRE facility a no-smoking area (geumyeon-guyeok): government offices, schools, medical institutions, childcare facilities, libraries, theatres of 300 seats or more, sports facilities and restaurants above a set size are among the 26 listed categories. Local governments may designate further no-smoking zones outdoors and enforce a 30-metre no-smoking perimeter around kindergartens, childcare facilities and schools.
§ Korea Ministry of Government Legislation (law.go.kr DRF) - National Health Promotion Act, Art. 9Verified Sep 18, 2026