South Korea
The laws most likely to catch a visitor off guard. What is legal at home can be a serious crime here — each rule links to its official source.
Get alerted when this changesLawLert pings you if South Korea's laws change. Free.Get the free appDrugs
South Korea enforces drug laws strictly — even mailing illegal drugs to or from Korea is commonly prosecuted, and you can be charged over drug use no matter where it happened.
Arrest, prosecution, and possible imprisonment
§ U.S. Department of State — South KoreaMedications
Narcotics, amphetamines, and opioids need written pre-approval from Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (K-MFDS), and even poppy seeds — including bagel seasoning blends — are illegal to bring into South Korea.
Criminal charges for banned meds or poppy seeds
§ U.S. Department of State — South KoreaCustoms & Cash
Poppy seeds and foods containing them (including some bagel seasoning blends) are illegal to bring into South Korea and can bring criminal charges.
Possible criminal charges for attempting to import.
§ US State Dept — South KoreaImports & Customs
South Korea bans importing poppy seeds or any food containing them (e.g., certain bagel seasoning blends); bringing them in risks criminal charges.
Possible criminal charges.
§ US State Dept — South KoreaDriving
All drivers need an International Driving Permit (or a Korean license), and a blood-alcohol level of 0.03% or higher is legally intoxicated — police run DUI checkpoints and refusing a breathalyzer cancels your license.
DUI at 0.03% BAC; license loss for refusing a test
§ U.S. Department of State — South KoreaLGBTQ+ Safety
There are no legal restrictions on consensual same-sex sexual relations in South Korea, though same-sex marriage is not legally recognized.
§ US State Dept — South Korea