At what age can you drink alcohol in South Korea?

19
The legal drinking age in South Korea is 19.

Why do you turn away when drinking in Korea?

The idea is that this strengthens your relationship with your co-workers. Most Korean workers must attend these events after work and drink with their boss. It is considered very rude to refuse a drink (or ten) from your boss.

Why soju is bad?

Soju is a popular and fun drink that is a great celebratory drink to end off the day, but is Soju healthy? Soju is not healthy and can be detrimental to a healthy diet as it is high in calories and can cause excess weight gain due to the high alcohol percentage.

What is considered disrespectful in South Korea?

Not using the two-handed Handshake One way to do this is with the way you shake hands. Koreans differentiate between using two hands for shaking hands vs. One hand can be used by someone of higher rank to someone of lower rank, but not vice versa! It’s considered rude.

Is 17 a minor in Korea?

In Korea, the age of majority is 19 (int’l age, not Korean age). You’re an adult once you turn 19. In law, this means you can act independently (e.g., enter into contracts w/o parents’ consent).

How do you drink alcohol in Korea?

When receiving drinks from someone older, hold your cup with both hands. However, if you’re the most senior person in the group, you can raise your glass with just one hand. But Korean drinking rules become less strict when you’re out drinking with close friends, and it’s perfectly fine to use one hand when pouring or receiving drinks.

Why is drinking etiquette important in Korea?

Koreans believed drinking etiquette is important. When people become of age to drink alcohol, they are taught how to drink with other people by elders, because Korean ancestors thought that pouring and receiving drinks was important over the bowl.

Is binge-drinking part of South Korea’s culture?

However, binge-drinking is deeply rooted in South Korean culture as an essential part of building relationships and a harmless way to have fun. It is time for South Korean policy-makers to revise the marketing and regulation of alcohol sales, and educate the public on healthier ways to drink.

Why do Koreans shake soju before drinking?

There’s a ritual that Koreans do prior to drinking soju – swirl and shake the bottle in a circular motion before opening it. This creates what they call a “tornado” inside the bottle. Some Koreans believe it helps soften the taste while others claim it helps distribute the sediment that has settled at the bottom.