Korean Convenience Stores: Medicine, Alcohol Age, Tax Refunds and More

Korean convenience stores — chains such as GS25, CU, 7-Eleven and emart24 — do far more than sell snacks: registered 24-hour stores can sell 13 government-approved medicines, you can buy and top up a T-money card, and participating CU stores give instant tax refunds with your passport. To buy alcohol or tobacco you must not count as a "youth" under Korean law; in 2026 that means you were born in 2007 or earlier.

Source: Ministry of Health and Welfare, Youth Protection Act and CU — tax refund (all Korean), and the Korea Tourism Organization; checked Oct 29, 2026.

The short version

Source: as listed in each section below; checked Oct 29, 2026.

The Korea Tourism Organization says many convenience stores, like many ATMs, are open 24/7 all year — but not every store is.

Medicine: 13 approved over-the-counter products

Korea lets some shops that aren't pharmacies sell a short list of "household safety medicines." The rules are in the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act and its enforcement rule:

• Only registered stores open 24 hours a day, every day of the year can sell them, and the registration certificate must be displayed in the store.
• One pack of each product per purchase.
• Not to children under 12 — or to elementary school pupils, whatever their age.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare's list has 13 products:

The English names are only to help you recognize the Korean products; similar-looking products in other strengths or forms aren't necessarily on the list.

Source: Ministry of Health and Welfare, last updated Mar 31, 2026; Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, Article 44-2 and Enforcement Rule, Article 28 (all Korean); checked Oct 29, 2026.

Not every store stocks every product. For anything else — or if you're unsure what to take — go to a pharmacy (see our pharmacy guide). If it's urgent, see our emergency help guide.

Alcohol and tobacco: the age rule

Under the Youth Protection Act, a "youth" is anyone under 19, except that you stop counting as a youth on January 1 of the year you turn 19. Nobody may sell alcohol or tobacco to a youth, and the seller must check the buyer's age and identity.

In practice, in 2026 that means people born in 2007 or earlier can buy. Carry your passport — staff are required to check.

Source: Youth Protection Act, Articles 2 and 28 (Korean), as in force from Oct 8, 2026; checked Oct 29, 2026.

Instant tax refund at CU

CU offers instant tax refunds at participating stores — up to 7% off the price.

Source: CU — tax refund (Korean); checked Oct 29, 2026.

The Korea Tourism Organization adds that your instant-refund purchases over the whole trip can't go over ₩5,000,000, and that refunds are for new, unopened and unused goods taken out of Korea within three months of purchase — so snacks you eat in Korea aren't what the scheme is for. The general rules are in our Korea tax refund guide.

Source: Korea Tourism Organization — tax refunds; checked Oct 29, 2026.

T-money: buy, top up, small refunds

The Korea Tourism Organization says you can buy and load T-money cards at convenience stores nationwide, including GS25, CU and 7-Eleven, and that smaller balances can be refunded there.

• Top up with cash. T-money says cash is the most reliable way at convenience stores, and you shouldn't assume a foreign credit card can top up a standard physical card.
• Under 18? The Korea Tourism Organization says young travelers register their date of birth at a convenience store to get the youth or child fare.

Source: Korea Tourism Organization — transportation cards and T-money; checked Oct 29, 2026.

Fares, refund limits and where else to buy one: see our T-money card guide.

ATMs, parcels and power banks (CU)

These are CU's own services; other chains may offer similar ones, but we haven't checked them.

• ATM: CU says the cash machines in its stores offer cash withdrawals, transfers and credit card cash advances. It doesn't say whether foreign cards work, and not every store has one — CU's store finder shows which do. For cash and cards in general, see our payment guide.
• Parcels: CU accepts parcels 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with fares from ₩3,400 depending on weight and destination.
• Power banks: at some CU stores you can rent a power bank and return it at any rental station.

Source: CU — ATM, parcels and power banks (Korean); checked Oct 29, 2026.

Small things worth knowing

• Bags: Korea restricts disposable bags in shops. The environment ministry said in 2023 that many stores, convenience stores included, use alternatives such as reusable bags, biodegradable bags and the pay-per-use rubbish bags. A small foldable bag of your own helps.
• At the airport: the Korea Tourism Organization says the clear plastic bags needed for liquids at security are sold at convenience stores, drug stores and bookstores inside the airport.
• Food: convenience stores sell gimbap and other snacks — see our Korean street food guide.
• SIM cards: some convenience stores sell them — see our eSIM and SIM card guide.

Source: Korea Policy Briefing, Nov 9, 2023 (Korean) and Korea Tourism Organization — airport security; checked Oct 29, 2026.

FAQ

Can you buy medicine at Korean convenience stores?

Yes, at registered 24-hour stores: 13 approved products, including Tylenol, children's fever medicine, digestive tablets, two cold medicines and pain patches. You can buy one pack of each per purchase, and they can't be sold to children under 12 or to elementary school pupils of any age.

What is the drinking age in Korea?

You can buy alcohol from January 1 of the year you turn 19. In 2026 that means people born in 2007 or earlier. Sellers must check age and identity, so carry your passport.

Can I get a tax refund at a convenience store?

At participating CU stores, yes: show your passport for an instant refund of up to 7% on payments of ₩15,000–₩999,999. Alcohol, tobacco, tax-free goods and food cooked in store don't count, and the goods must be new, unopened and unused and leave Korea with you within three months.

Can I top up T-money with a credit card at a convenience store?

Plan on cash. T-money says cash is the most reliable way at convenience stores and that a foreign credit card may not work for topping up a standard card.

Are Korean convenience stores open 24 hours?

Many are, according to the Korea Tourism Organization, but not all. Medicines are sold only at registered stores that are open 24 hours, every day.