The legal drinking age in Korea is 19 years of age. Although it is legal to drink alcohol in public, disorderly conduct under the influence of alcohol can result in hefty fines and a visit to the police station.
South Korea
In general, drinking in public is legal. But any person who, while drunk, behaves in a riotous or disorderly manner by uttering or doing rough words or conducts, at a public place is fined up to 100,000 won.
In Korea, it is traditional that when a person gives an alcoholic drink to another adult, the person has to offer the drink respectfully with two hands. When pouring a drink, the bottle should be held with the right hand, and the wrist of your right hand held lightly with the left hand.
Objective: In South Korea, individuals are legally allowed access to alcohol from January 1st of the year they turn 19. This study examined the effects of the legal drinking age laws in South Korea on alcohol consumption.
Turn away, turn away
As a sign of respect when drinking with a person who is their senior, Koreans turn their heads when taking a sip (instead of facing the person directly).
South Korea is a leading liquor consuming nation
South Koreans drank 13.7 shots of liquor per week, followed by Russians who were at 6.3 shots per week and Americans at 3.3.
Cheers in Korean: 건배 / Geonbae
In Korea, the word 건배 (or geonbae) literally means “empty glass”, making it similar to the stateside expression “bottoms up”. And while the word implies that you should drink the whole of your drink after toasting, it's not actually necessary.
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.
The Age of Consent in South Korea is 20 years old. The age of consent is the minimum age at which an individual is considered legally old enough to consent to participation in sexual activity.
While tap water in Korea is 100 percent safe to drink, most Koreans don't drink it unless they boil or filter it, first. When visiting or living in South Korea, you don't have to doctor the water before drinking it.
Traditionally, Koreans drink alcohol to celebrate important holidays and seasons, such as New Year, Rice Planting and their Day of Thanks. Their drinking involved rituals showing respect for ancestors and elders. This tradition dates back to before 1000 AD when foreign influences brought alcohol to their shores.
Skincare is More Important than Makeup
Since ancient times, Koreans have only used natural, harsh-free ingredients for their skincare routines: green tea, “snail slime”, bamboo extracts, propolis, and honey are just some examples of the elements they used and have passed through generations.
Looking at the amount of alcohol consumed per person aged 15 years or older, the Seychelles is in first place with around 20.5 litres of alcohol drunk per person per year, according to Our World in Data; studies show that young male peer groups primarily drink high amounts of alcohol in the Seychelles.
Drinking outdoors is not prohibited in general. However, many city and county councils have bye-laws that forbid drinking in some or all public places. The Gardaí can confiscate alcohol if you are drinking in public and behaving in a way that could cause worry for safety.
Since 2013, it is illegal to smoke in public places (bars, cafes, subways, schools …), but in specific places you can smoke (noraebangs, clubs and pubs designated areas) until then everything is fine. But the ban also extends to the street!
Despite being a huge part of South Korean culture, the topic of drinking has been mostly kept off limits for K-pop celebrities. And if they do partake in a drink or two, it is often done in secret, away from the cameras.
There is no set minimum age in Ireland at which contraceptive advice and prescriptions may be provided. The age of consent to sexual activity is 17 and it may be a criminal offence to have sex with a person under 17 years of age.
In Korea, it's not normal to hold hands or kiss on a first date. A guy may want to hold hands, but kissing on the first date is a big NO. In Korea, it's frowned upon to kiss in public.
The lowest age of consent is in Nigeria (11) followed by the Philippines and Angola (12). The age of consent is 13 in three countries – Niger, Comoros and Burkina Faso.
Illegal drugs such as opium, marijuana/cannabis, cocaine, etc. * Including but not limited to: medicines, handbags, wallets, stoles, taxidermy and ivory from animals such as elephants, leopards, and alligators. Cashier's checks, overdraft checks, postal money orders, etc.
The simple answer is yes, the water is potable. Tap water in Korea is safe to drink.
While South Korea's constitution guarantees freedom of religion and separation of church and state, the government has been sympathetic to Christianity. It considers the religion to provide some ideological protection against their Communist neighbor.
Basic Drinking Rules in South Korea
If you are receiving alcohol, you should also hold your glass with both hands. Although this is not always enforced, it is considered polite to turn your face slightly away from others when you are drinking.
In Korean, 'ZZAN' is the crisp sound that shot glasses make when two raised ice cold glasses connect in merriment. Now when young at heart Koreans raise their glasses and say 'Zzan!' , it means 'Cheers!' .