Check the rules for the location
Before drinking in a park, on a beach or at an event, check the signs and current rules. Public access does not automatically mean alcohol is permitted. Venue and transport rules may apply even where there is no designated local no-drinking zone.
For a Han River visit, check the particular park and any event conditions. Rules should not be inferred from a photograph of people drinking elsewhere along the river.
Understand designated no-drinking zones
Article 8-4 of the National Health Promotion Act allows local authorities to designate no-drinking zones. 금주구역 is the Korean term to look for. The law provides for signs, but you should also check local notices if a boundary is unclear.
A local ordinance authorising zones is not proof that every park, palace or street in that district has been designated. Use the notice for the actual location. Fines can apply under the relevant rules; Article 34 sets a statutory ceiling of ₩100,000 for this type of violation.
Avoid disruptive behaviour
Public-order rules apply to threatening, aggressive or disruptive conduct. Being drunk does not excuse harassment or refusing lawful instructions. The Minor Offences Act contains offences relating to disorderly conduct, including conduct in public offices.
If a situation becomes confrontational, move away if safe and seek help. Call 112 for urgent police assistance or 119 if someone needs emergency medical care.
Carry identification when buying alcohol
Under the Youth Protection Act's age definition, a person is excluded from the youth category from 1 January of the year they turn 19. For 2026, that means people born in 2007 or earlier meet this age threshold.
Retailers may ask for identification. A passport is useful for a visitor, but confirm what the seller accepts rather than assuming every foreign document can be verified. This age rule does not override a venue's other entry conditions.
Plan how to return safely
Do not drive, cycle or use an e-scooter after drinking. Check public-transport times or arrange a taxi. If someone becomes unconscious, has trouble breathing or is otherwise seriously unwell, call 119 rather than assuming they only need to sleep.
