Pharmacies in Korea: Buying Medicine as a Visitor

*Korean pharmacies (약국, yakguk) can sell over-the-counter medicine without a prescription, while prescription-only medicine needs a prescription from a doctor or dentist, under Korea's Pharmaceutical Affairs Act.* You can ask a pharmacist for advice without buying anything, the Korea Tourism Organization says. At night, find a pharmacy open after 22:00 on E-GEN and call before you go; for language help, the 1330 Korea Travel Hotline runs 07:00–24:00.

Source: Pharmaceutical Affairs Act (Korean), Korea Tourism Organization, E-GEN (Korean) and KDCA — 1330 (Korean); checked Oct 31, 2026.

The short version

Source: Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, Articles 2, 20 and 50 (Korean), Samsung Medical Center, E-GEN (Korean) and KDCA — 1330 (Korean); checked Oct 31, 2026.

Over-the-counter vs prescription medicine

Korean law splits medicine into two groups:

Read the package and the leaflet inside the box: the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety says over-the-counter medicine comes with detailed information there.

Source: Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, Articles 2, 23, 24 and 50 (Korean) and MFDS — over-the-counter vs prescription medicine (Korean); checked Oct 31, 2026.

What about my prescription from home?

Don't rely on a prescription from abroad to get prescription-only medicine in Korea. Samsung Medical Center's international-patient FAQ says Korean regulations don't allow pharmacies to dispense prescription drugs without a valid local prescription, and that you need to see a doctor in person to get one. Over-the-counter medicine you can buy directly at a pharmacy. The Korea Tourism Organization suggests that if you need complex medication or have a condition that needs a prescription, you see a doctor before your trip, bring an English prescription and medical record, and keep copies or photos in case they get lost.

• Bring enough of your regular medicine for the trip, and check what you can bring in our guide to bringing medicine into Korea.
• If you need prescription medicine while you're here, bring your medication details and medical records to a doctor in Korea: see our emergency and medical help guide.

Source: Samsung Medical Center — FAQ for international patients, Pharmaceutical Affairs Act (Korean) and Korea Tourism Organization; checked Oct 31, 2026.

Asking for help when you don't speak Korean

• Use a translation app and bring a photo. The Korea Tourism Organization suggests explaining what you need, where it hurts and any allergies through a translation app, and showing a photo of the medicine you use at home.
• You don't have to buy anything to get advice at a Korean pharmacy, KTO says. If there's no exact match for your medicine, a pharmacist may suggest a local alternative.
• Some pharmacies in tourist areas show a "Language assistance available" sign at the entrance, according to KTO.
• Call 1330, the Korea Travel Hotline, for interpretation: 07:00–24:00, in Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Thai, Vietnamese and Malay/Indonesian. From abroad, dial +82-2-1330.

Source: Korea Tourism Organization — Using a Korean pharmacy (column last updated September 2024), KTO — 1330 and KDCA — 1330 (Korean); checked Oct 31, 2026.

Finding a pharmacy at night or on a holiday

1. Open E-GEN's pharmacy finder (run by the National Emergency Medical Center, in Korean). It shows pharmacies on a map and lets you search by day and time.
2. E-GEN also offers a downloadable list of pharmacies open after 22:00 across Korea.
3. Call before you go. E-GEN says opening hours come from the Korean Pharmaceutical Association and can change.
4. Don't know the area? E-GEN says the 119 emergency center can guide you.

Source: E-GEN — pharmacy finder (Korean); checked Oct 31, 2026.

Both Incheon and Gimpo airports have pharmacies, according to the Korea Tourism Organization.

Before you go

1. Pack enough of your regular medicine, and check the rules for bringing it in.
2. Save a photo of each medicine's box or ingredient list.
3. Install a translation app.
4. Save 1330 (+82-2-1330 from abroad) and 119 in your phone.
5. Note one or two late-night pharmacies near your stay, and call before going.

Source: Korea Tourism Organization, E-GEN (Korean) and KDCA — 1330 (Korean); checked Oct 31, 2026.

FAQ

Can I buy medicine in Korea without a prescription?

Yes, over-the-counter medicine (일반의약품) is sold at pharmacies without a prescription. Prescription-only medicine needs a prescription from a doctor or dentist.

Can a Korean pharmacy fill my foreign prescription?

Not for prescription-only medicine. Samsung Medical Center's international-patient FAQ says you need a valid local prescription, which means seeing a doctor in Korea in person. Bring enough medicine from home.

How do I find a pharmacy open at night in Korea?

Use E-GEN's pharmacy finder or its list of pharmacies open after 22:00 (both in Korean), and call before you go because hours can change.

Do Korean pharmacists speak English?

It depends on the pharmacy. KTO says some pharmacies in tourist areas show a "Language assistance available" sign; otherwise use a translation app or call 1330 for interpretation (07:00–24:00).

Can I just ask a pharmacist for advice?

Yes. The Korea Tourism Organization says you don't have to buy anything to get advice at a Korean pharmacy.