South Korea Relaxes Rules for Personal Prescription Drugs at Border
Thestandard · 3 SOURCESabout 6 hours ago5 MIN
Summary
South Korea announced on November 11, 2026 that it will permit travelers entering the country from November 12 to bring legally purchased overseas medications for personal treatment, including GLP-1 weight-loss drugs such as Mounjaro and Wegovy. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety reached the decision after consulting with the Korea Customs Service, establishing a limit of 6 bottles in principle, though more is permitted if the quantity does not exceed a 3-month supply .
Key Points
- The policy took effect on November 12, 2026, allowing entry of prescription drugs purchased through normal overseas channels
- GLP-1 weight-loss medications including Mounjaro (marketed as 猛健樂 in Chinese-speaking regions) and Wegovy are now permitted, with up to 6 bottles as the baseline limit
- For weekly-injection medications like Mounjaro, travelers may bring up to 12 to 13 pens, equivalent to approximately 3 months of treatment
- The relaxation applies to South Korean citizens, foreigners, and international students, but drugs must be carried personally rather than shipped
- Narcotic and psychotropic drugs remain prohibited, including certain EVE painkillers sold in Japan, and online purchases of overseas drugs are not accepted
Why It Matters
The policy change addresses a long-standing issue where even legally obtained prescription medications were subject to seizure at South Korean borders. For Hong Kong residents who rely on GLP-1 medications for weight management or cardiovascular protection, this removes a significant barrier when traveling to South Korea for tourism or business . The relaxation also signals growing international acceptance of these medications as legitimate treatments, potentially influencing similar policy adjustments elsewhere in the Asia-Pacific region .
The policy change addresses a long-standing issue where even legally obtained prescription medications were subject to seizure at South Korean borders. For Hong Kong residents who rely on GLP-1 medications for weight management or cardiovascular protection, this removes a significant barrier when traveling to South Korea for tourism or business . The relaxation also signals growing international acceptance of these medications as legitimate treatments, potentially influencing similar policy adjustments elsewhere in the Asia-Pacific region .