Is Xanax (Alprazolam) legal in South Korea?
- Legal status
- Alprazolam is a controlled psychotropic substance under the Narcotics Control Act.
- Consequences if caught
- Illegal possession or use up to ~10 years or up to 100 million KRW.
- If prescribed or medical
- Prescribed as a controlled psychotropic medicine.
- Documentation
- Every traveller needs MFDS advance import approval for a controlled substance (in force since 23 Oct 2009; it applies extraterritorially to nationals).
Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with South Korea’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.
Before you travel
Verify current rules with the destination country’s official drug authority and your own country’s embassy before traveling. Find the destination’s U.S. embassy & official country guidance →
Non-U.S. travelers: check your own government’s travel advisory and embassy.
If you’re detained or arrested abroad
Contact your own country’s embassy or consulate in the destination immediately — not the destination’s authorities. U.S. citizens: contact the nearest U.S. embassy/consulate and the U.S. State Department at +1-202-501-4444 (from abroad). If a U.S. citizen is arrested or detained abroad →