South Korea
Is Hemp Legal in South Korea?
Status
Restricted
Covers
Jurisdiction
Last updated
May 29, 2026
The short answer
Hemp cultivation in South Korea is restricted and licensed under the Narcotics Act and the Hemp Management Act, with the Rural Development Administration overseeing licensed growers. Historically grown for textile fiber and seed in Andong and other northern regions, hemp cultivation requires a permit from the local provincial governor and is limited to non-psychoactive industrial varieties.
Hemp seed and seed oil products are permitted as food when produced from approved varieties and tested under MFDS food safety standards. CBD extraction from hemp for consumer products is not authorised. In 2020, Andong was designated as a regulatory free zone for hemp-derived medical cannabinoid R&D, allowing licensed research firms to process hemp for pharmaceutical use, though full-scale commercial extraction remains restricted.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Verify current law with qualified counsel before making compliance decisions.
Key facts ·
South Korea
Key facts
Rules at a glance
THC limit
Industrial hemp varieties only; THC tightly restricted
Regulator
Rural Development Administration; Ministry of Food and Drug Safety
Key regulation
Hemp Management Act; Narcotics Act
Effective
April 7, 1976
Adult-use cannabis
Illegal
Medical cannabis
Limited
For brands and importers
Import and export rules
Hemp seed and oil may be imported for food use under MFDS food safety standards. Industrial hemp fiber imports require Rural Development Administration approval. CBD-bearing hemp extracts are barred.
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