Is Khat legal in South Korea?
- Legal status
- Controlled — ALKALOIDS ONLY NAMED. Cathinone and cathine are controlled as psychotropic substances under the Narcotics Control Act (with synthetic cathinone analogues temporarily scheduled 2011-2015); the Catha edulis plant is not individually named but fresh leaf carries the listed alkaloid. Mechanism: NAMED (alkaloids) + NPS/temporary scheduling; plant grey.
- Consequences if caught
- Khat leaf is effectively prohibited as it contains scheduled cathinone; Korea enforces drug law strictly, including on foreigners.
- If prescribed or medical
- Khat is traditional plant material with no recognised medical use and no lawful prescription route.
- Documentation
- No lawful personal-import route; fresh leaf contains a controlled psychotropic — do not carry it into Korea.
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 →