Is Cocaine legal in South Korea?
- Legal status
- Controlled — narcotic under the Narcotics Control Act
- Consequences if caught
- Possession or use of narcotics/psychotropics (e.g. methamphetamine/'philopon', cocaine, heroin) carries a minimum of 1 year's imprisonment; import, export, manufacture, or trafficking carries 5 years to life. Distinctively, South Korea prosecutes its own citizens for drug use committed abroad even where it was legal there (hair-follicle testing on return, up to 5 years); foreign nationals face deportation and a re-entry ban.
- If prescribed or medical
- Not a traveller medicine; controlled-substance medicines require MFDS advance approval before travel (see below).
- Documentation
- MFDS advance approval is required for controlled-substance medicines (including CBD/THC oil, amphetamines, opiates, and benzodiazepines) — apply online before travel (email narcotics@korea.kr). Non-controlled medicines are allowed up to 6 bottles / a 3-month supply with a prescription and a doctor's letter.
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 →