Is Weed Legal in South Korea?
May 29, 2026
Weed is illegal in South Korea under the Narcotics Act. Penalties reach 5 years' prison and apply to citizens even when using cannabis abroad.
Weed is illegal in South Korea under the Narcotics Act. Penalties reach 5 years' prison and apply to citizens even when using cannabis abroad.
Recreational cannabis is illegal in South Korea and has been since the Cannabis Control Act of 1976, which was later consolidated into the Act on the Control of Narcotics, Etc. (Narcotics Act). Use, possession, cultivation, or trafficking can lead to imprisonment of up to five years or a fine of up to 50 million KRW for simple possession; supply and cultivation carry up to ten years. South Korea's nationality-based jurisdiction means Korean citizens can be prosecuted for cannabis use abroad, even in places where it is legal, such as Canada or several US states.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) is the lead regulator, with the Supreme Prosecutors' Office and National Police Agency handling enforcement. Drug testing is routine for celebrities, athletes, and military conscripts, and high-profile cases regularly produce custodial sentences. Diplomatic and consular warnings from MFDS in 2018 reaffirmed that overseas use remains punishable on return.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Verify current law with qualified counsel before making compliance decisions.
Illegal
Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS)
0% recreational; medical exception under MFDS approval
Act on the Control of Narcotics, Etc. (Narcotics Act)
Import and export of cannabis for non-medical purposes is prohibited under the Narcotics Act. The MFDS may grant limited import approvals for designated medical cannabinoid products such as Epidyolex and Sativex via the Korea Orphan and Essential Drug Center.
