Can I drink tap water in Korea?

Seoul’s tap water, Arisu, is tested on 350 quality items and the city says it is safe to drink. The water in your tap also depends on your building’s pipes and tanks, so bottled or filtered water is a common choice.

• ✓The Seoul Metropolitan Government says Arisu is highly safe, with no detectable contaminants in nine categories including lead, arsenic and cadmium.
• ✓Arisu is tested on 350 criteria items, twice the number in the WHO standards, according to the city.
• △The city’s statement covers Seoul’s supply. Plumbing inside a building can change what comes out of the tap, and other cities have their own water systems.

• •Assuming a statement about Seoul covers every city and building

• •Bottled water from a convenience store
• •Filtered or boiled water

• 🩺Can I buy medicine at a pharmacy in Korea?Yes, pharmacists dispense many over-the-counter medicines for common problems without a prescription. More complex medicines need a prescription.✓YES, WITH CONDITIONSHealth & MedicineView answer →
• 🛡️Can I get help in English in an emergency?Yes. 112 (police) and 119 (fire and ambulance) have interpretation support, and the 1330 Korea Travel Helpline answers 24 hours in English, Japanese and Chinese.✓YES, WITH CONDITIONSSafetyView answer →

• Seoul Metropolitan Government: Arisu water quality

The source is the Seoul Metropolitan Government and covers Seoul only.