Exploring The Legal Drinking Age In Korea

The drinking age in South Korea is 19 for most people, but it is calculated differently from international age. In Korea, everyone is considered one or two years older than their birth age because they believe that time spent in the womb counts as one year of age. Additionally, everyone turns another year older on Lunar New Year's Day, which is recognised as the New Year in modern Korean culture. This means that someone born just before the Lunar New Year is considered two years old only a few weeks after their birth. The Korean government has become stricter about enforcing drinking regulations, and US military personnel stationed in South Korea must still abide by US law, which states the legal drinking age is 21.

Drinking laws in South Korea

South Korea is one of the biggest markets for alcoholic beverages in the world. Drinking alcohol is often encouraged, if not demanded, in both social and professional situations. The legal drinking age in South Korea is 20, or more specifically, the first day of the year that the person turns 20. This is because everyone is considered a year older when the new year begins.

Bars and nightclubs generally open from 6 pm to midnight daily, with longer hours on Fridays and Saturdays. In some areas of Seoul, such as Itaewon and Hongik, and other large cities, some bars stay open 24 hours. Beer, soju (a vodka-like liquor), and other alcoholic beverages are widely available in grocery and convenience stores. There are no open-container laws in South Korea, so it is common to see people consuming alcohol in public spaces, such as on the beach or in parks. However, driving under the influence of alcohol is strictly prohibited.

The drinking culture in South Korea is deeply rooted in Confucianism and follows a strict etiquette. A unique aspect of modern drinking culture in South Korea is "hoesik," where colleagues meet after work to eat and drink together. This custom has been criticised for encouraging excessive drinking and reports of harassment by drunken colleagues or supervisors have been made. Due to changes in the law and company policies, the practice is becoming less extreme.

While South Korea has a thriving drinking culture, there are efforts to promote moderate and responsible drinking. Seoul's health ministry has banned television images of celebrities consuming alcohol, and alcohol commercials are restricted to specific hours and cannot air during programs targeting young adults.

Drinking laws in North Korea

North Korea has a lively beer-brewing culture despite its isolation, with at least ten major breweries and many microbreweries. The country has more major breweries than South Korea. The top brand is the light lager Taedonggang, by the state-owned Taedonggang Brewing Company.

There is no shortage of alcohol in North Korea, and no limit on consumption. Drinking is considered a national pastime, much like in South Korea, China, and much of East Asia. The main drink of choice is soju, a clear spirit made from rice, wheat, or barley, with an alcohol content ranging from 18% to 55%. It is usually consumed neat after a meal and is central to Korean culture, both North and South.

While soju has been commonplace for centuries on the Korean peninsula, beer production is more recent. North Korea now has a thriving microbrewing industry, with about ten different microbreweries nationwide. Many small microbreweries are located in hotels and restaurants, guaranteeing a regular flow of beer on tap. The largest brewery is the Taedonggang Brewing Company, named after the river that flows through the capital city of Pyongyang.

There is a beer coupon scheme in place for men to receive five liters of free beer per month. Typically, locals gather in standing-room-only bars after work, enjoy a couple of beers, and then head home for dinner. Beer is also included with every lunch and dinner on a typical North Korea tour, and tourists can always purchase extras for inexpensive sums. Every single restaurant and hotel contains a fully stocked bar, with prices ranging from 50 cents to €2 each.

It is possible for tourists to visit real local beer bars, such as the Mansungyo beer house, which offers seven different types of Taedonggang beer on tap. These places offer standing tables only and are usually packed with workers who file in from offices in the early evenings.

In addition to beer and soju, foreign whiskey is in demand in North Korea. It is seen as a sign of wealth and is often exchanged as a wedding gift or even a bribe.

The legal drinking age in North Korea is 18, but this does not seem to be strictly enforced. It is normal for children to run errands for their parents, so shopkeepers will sell them alcohol without hesitation. During New Year and public holidays, adults will offer a drink or two to boys around 15 years old. While it is considered rude for younger people to smoke next to adults, it is acceptable for them to drink alcohol alongside older people.

North Korea's problems with goods distribution and power output have forced its brewers to innovate. To minimize distribution issues, many restaurants and hotels maintain their own microbreweries. Due to unreliable power supply, it can be challenging to refrigerate beer. As a result, North Koreans have developed their own steam beer, brewed at higher-than-normal temperatures, which is widely available.

North Koreans need to expend food coupons when buying beer, which will reduce their grain rations. Additionally, North Korean men residing in Pyongyang can receive beer vouchers for one or two monthly liters of beer at low-end bars. These limitations make beer a beverage primarily for the elite.

Drinking age in South Korea

The drinking age in South Korea is 20 years old in Korean age, which is calculated differently from international age. In the Korean age system, everyone is considered one year old at birth and turns another year older on Lunar New Year's Day. As a result, the legal drinking age in South Korea translates to 19 years of age for most people internationally.

The unique age system in Korea can make determining the legal drinking age confusing. While the legal drinking age is enforced more strictly in clubs, with many clubs asking for proof of age, it is not as strictly enforced in local bars and restaurants, especially outside of Seoul.

It is important to note that the legal drinking age for U.S. military personnel stationed in South Korea remains 21 years, following U.S. law. Additionally, drinking culture and etiquette in Korea are deeply intertwined with social structures, lifestyles, and traditions. There are strict rules of etiquette when drinking with elders, including holding the glass with two hands and turning away from the elder while drinking.

Drinking age in North Korea

North Koreans are known to be heavy drinkers who enjoy hard spirits. While there aren't many bars, alcohol can be consumed in restaurants or bought at markets or factories to drink at home. North Korea has a variety of alcoholic beverages, including beer, soju (a cheap clear alcohol similar to vodka), and vodka. The legal drinking age in North Korea is 18, but this doesn't seem to be enforced, as children are often sent to buy alcohol for their parents, and shopkeepers will sell it to them without hesitation.

North Korean alcohol can be divided into two categories: Number One, made exclusively for the ruling Kim regime, and Number Two, for everyone else. Number One alcohol is made from potatoes and is said to have the best taste and not give as bad a hangover. Other ingredients used to make liquor include berries and acorns.

Home brewing is not permitted in North Korea, but many people do it anyway, and the authorities are unable to stop them. One out of every ten households makes alcohol at home, with potatoes and corn being the most common ingredients.

North Koreans have a different name for soju, which is called nongtaegi in North Korea. It usually has an alcohol content of 20-25% but can be as high as 28-30% in some regions.

Drinking is traditionally done at home, in restaurants, or in parks, rather than in bars. Bars are usually located in hotels, and some Western-style bars have opened in Pyongyang in recent years. Many restaurants take on a bar-like atmosphere late at night.

North Koreans often drink at picnics, which are sometimes held along the side of the road. Beer is considered a soft drink, and both adults and children drink it. Men usually drink soju straight in small shot-sized glasses but tend to sip it rather than down it in one gulp.

North Korea has an annual alcohol consumption per capita of 3.7 litres of pure alcohol. This is lower than some countries like Belarus (17.4 litres) and the United States (9.2 litres) but higher than Japan (2.4 litres). Alcoholism is also an issue, with 1.03 deaths per 100,000 people attributed to it, compared to 2.26 in the United States.

Drinking culture in Korea

Drinking is a significant part of Korean culture, with alcohol playing a role in traditional holidays, family rituals, and ancestor worship. It is also a major aspect of everyday socialisation, with drinking parties promoting good fellowship and the opening up of one's heart.

History

Korea has a long tradition of consuming alcohol to celebrate holidays and seasonal events, honour ancestors, and exchange goodwill with neighbours and friends. The interest in creating alcohol came about during the Koryo Dynasty (946–943), when exposure to foreign cultures and the introduction of distilled water provided the basis and technique for distilling a unique alcohol.

Etiquette

Koreans have strict rules of etiquette when drinking. When receiving a drink from an elder, one must hold the glass with two hands and bow their head slightly. When drinking, one must turn away from the elder and cover their mouth and glass with their hands. The first drink must be finished in one shot. When the glass is empty, it is customary to wait until the glass is refilled before pouring another drink.

Modern Drinking Culture

In modern Korea, alcohol can be consumed regardless of the occasion. Drinking parties are common, as are "rounds" (cha in Korean), where friends will jump from place to place, changing venues or activities. Drinking is also a significant part of workplace culture, with after-work drinking sessions (called hoesik or "dining together") being important for team bonding and social networking. However, there is also a growing pressure to reduce excessive drinking, with some corporations initiating policies to limit the amount of alcohol consumed and the number of venues visited during these sessions.

Health Concerns

Excessive drinking has been identified as a major factor affecting the health-related quality of life in Korea. Liver cancer and other liver diseases are among the top causes of death in the country, and an increasing number of Koreans are being diagnosed with osteonecrosis due to excessive alcohol consumption. Binge drinking is also associated with relieving stress, with more than 50% of Korean drinkers reporting that they drink to release stress.

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