While China abandoned the system after the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), the age reckoning is still commonly used in South Korea. Underage drinking is somewhat restricted by bartenders' reluctance to serve younger people alcoholic drinks. Yes your Korean age right now is 19, no matter when your birthday is. World-wide, the average age at which drinking alcohol first occurs is 12 years. Required fields are marked *. This is due to the different Korean age system, which is different from the international age. 7 years ago. The drinking age is 19. Stay up to date on all of Korea's best activities, food, entertainment, shopping, fashion, culture, and travel. As such, there are some things you should keep in mind in order to show respect not only to the people you are drinking with, but also to the culture itself. According to the toa 2013 survey that I conducted in collaboration with the Korea Alcohol and Liquor Industry Association, many Korean people (71.8 percent) regard drinking as a necessary element of social life in Korea, particularly significant for men (65.8 percent). Check Out These 9 Affordable Korean Fashion Brands, The Five New Must-Haves for Fresh-Faced Summer Beauty, HiKorea! Legal drinking age in Germany. Current news, outside the realm of what you’ll find in newspapers. If you really want to drink the night away and not be afraid of hangovers, then this is a good drink to try. Age for entry depends on each clubs/bars, but it will surely be no lower than drinking age. Here in Japan (where it's even 20!) when you are born in 1998 or older, drinking alcohol is legal. Still, the legal drinking age is 20 (or more specifically Jan 1 of the year the person turns 20, since everyone is considered a year older when the year turns). Additionally, everyone turns another year older on Lunar New Year’s Day. 10). Start typing to see results or hit ESC to close, Introducing HwaHae (화해): The Best Thing to Happen to K-Beauty Lovers (And Your Skin), Ready to Try on Some K-fashion? Many Koreans chase away the bite with beer. South Korea's drinking culture reveals much about its social structure, lifestyle, and traditions. Underage drinking is somewhat restricted by bartenders' reluctance to serve younger people alcoholic drinks. Italy has set a minimum legal drinking age at 16 years, one of the lowest MLDA in the world. Drink this for a wild night out (and if you want to sample the world’s worst hangover)! While the legal drinking age in the United States is 21, drinking ages in other countries vary and are typically a reflection of the culture and societal values. In 2002, Renato Balduzzi, the then Health Minister proposed to raise the minimum drinking age to 18 years. You have to be 20 or above in Korean age to drink. Drinking Age in Korea The legal drinking age in Korea is 19, though this is rarely enforced and even less so if you are foreign. If you’d rather have some good old beer, then you’ll be happy to know that you will find a great selection. South Korea has come up with a lot of hangover cures. Legal Drinking Age in state of Uttar Pradesh. Interestingly, while Korean age is the one Koreans usually refer to in conversations, the legal age limits for such things as drinking, smoking, driving, etc. FOOD & DRINK. Venues often have longer opening hours at the weekend, so some might be open from 12 in the afternoon up to very late in the evening, or even until the next morning. For those who are from countries where drinking starts at 18 or even 16, like Spain and Italy, Japan’s age restrictions for drinking may come as a surprise.It is closer to the minimum age for drinking in Korea and in other Asian countries. Drinking Age In Italy. In Tokyo, for example, a person has to be at least 18 years to agree to have any form of sexual relations. Please only answer if you have been there … The system sees newborns enter the world at age one instead of zero. South Korea is known for its vibrant nightlife and drinking culture. While the legal drinking age in South Korea isn’t strictly enforced, keep in mind that it’s nevertheless always better to follow the law when you're abroad. In Korea’s unique age system, they consider the time spent in the womb as adding one year of age, so everyone in the country is considered one year old at the time of their birth. Hi, I'll be going to Korea this summer for vacation. The minimum age to smoke/buy cigarettes is 19 years of age. it is rather strict, almost as … While China abandoned the system after the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), the age reckoning is still commonly used in South Korea. Some of the local brews you may want to try include Cass, Hite, and OB Lager. To determine what your Korean age is you need to add 1-2 years to what the rest of the world considers your age. Asked by Wiki User. We'd have to wait until after New Year when we'd be 20 in Korean age. You have to keep in mind that Koreans mostly drink for social purposes and within social hierarchies. By continuing to use this site you consent to the use of cookies on your device as described in our cookie policy unless you have disabled them. During my time there I never heard of people even being carded, much less turned away so unless you are super young, obviously drunk, or causing trouble, I wouldn’t worry too much. The legal drinking age limit for servicemembers in japan. But when visiting the country, wouldn’t it be a shame not to taste the unique drinks made in Korea? No drinking age information was available for Djibouti, Lebanon, Marshall Islands, North Korea, or South Sudan, the other five countries listed by the State Department as independent states. The legal drinking age in South Korea is 19 years old. Korean Drinking Age. I'm going to Korea next week, would I be legal drinking age there? However, your Korean age wouldn’t change until January 1st. This is partly due to the existence and availability of many unique Korean alcoholic drinks. Which is also the adult age. So if you see any K-Pop star saying their age in Korean, you should know their international age is different. While the legal drinking age in South Korea isn’t strictly enforced, keep in mind that it’s nevertheless always better to follow the law when you're abroad. Meanwhile, the legal drinking age for the US soldiers based in Korea is 21 years old. One who was born in 1998 can drink from January 1, 2017 in Korea. Actions while drinking. South Korea, therefore, falls somewhere in the middle. Legal drinking age in Korea ? So, the next time you are out drinking, make sure to keep your ID card close and be of age. I'm talking about buying in bars/clubs, as well as from stores. The legal *buying* age in Korea is 19 (rounded to the next January 1st ! It’s completely okay to drink at work. 20 in Korean age, which is 18-19 in western age. Be sure to honor the legal drinking age in Korea for your own safety and the safety of others. Copyright © 2020 ForTravelista. The legal drinking age in South Korea is 20 years old in Korean age. Yes your Korean age right now is 19, no matter when your birthday is. Drinking is a big part of Korean culture. Specific Drinking Age Rules in the Various Branches . Korean age isn’t calculated based on your birthday. As a foreigner, drinking with Koreans will give you the chance to truly immerse yourself in the local culture and customs. It's actually been changed to 20 my Korean friend confirmed it for me when he asked where I got the "19 age" thing from. Unlike what everyone else thinks, you can't drink at … Why is Korean age different? When buying alcohol, showing your ID is required. 6 years ago. Legal drinking and purchasing age for Alcohol is age 16 in Germany. The legal drinking age in North Korea is 18 but no one seems to care about that. No, the Brown University anthropology professor is not advocating getting kids drunk. In many nations, officers generally don’t enforce the law in the absence of abuse. The system sees newborns enter the world at age one instead of zero. If you have any questions or suggestions to make this article more helpful, let us know by leaving a comment below. In 2002, Renato Balduzzi, the then Health Minister proposed to raise the minimum drinking age to 18 years. 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