Country / region De jure Notes Drinking age Purchase age Afghanistan Illegal Bangladesh Illegal for Muslims Alcohol will be sold to foreigners in certain locations, albeit clandestinely. Bhutan 18 Brunei 17 with restrictions, unless Muslim Non-Muslims over 17 years of age are allowed to import alcohol not to exceed maximum total volume 2 liters of liquor and 12 cans of beer at 330 ml for personal use, once in 48 hours. This alcohol must be "stored and consumed at the place of residence of the importer '' and is "not to be given, transferred or sold to another person. ''. Cambodia None China 18 Introduced in January 2006. Weakly enforced to not enforced. Hong Kong 18 The regulation is only applicable to restaurants, bars and clubs, where a liquor license is required. Private drinking is also not regulated. India 18 -- 25 (varies between states) Main article: Alcohol laws of India Consumption of alcohol is prohibited in the states of Bihar, Gujarat and Nagaland. Indonesia 21 Iran Illegal There is a ban on alcohol, but religious minorities may purchase small amounts from shops owned by the same religious minority. Iraq 18 Israel None 18 Israel law prohibits selling or serving alcohol to minors, but it does not prohibit minors to drink, although the police may confiscate alcoholic drinks consumed by minors in public. Japan 20 Jordan 18 Kazakhstan 21 Kuwait Illegal Kyrgyzstan 18 Lebanon 18 Often unenforced and according to a global school health study, 40 % of minors over 13 drink alcohol and up to 25 % buy it from stores. Macau None Malaysia 21 Increased to 21 from 18 on 1 December 2017 Maldives Illegal except for tourists, 18 Sale of alcohol is limited to tourist resorts. It is illegal to sell alcohol to local Maldivians Mongolia 18 Myanmar None 18 Nepal 18 The legal age for consumption of alcohol in Nepal is 18. However, there are exceptions to underage consumption for purposes of religious ceremonies. North Korea 18 Oman 21 Residents need personal liquor licenses to consume alcohol in their private residences. Pakistan Illegal Non-Muslim citizens may possess alcohol to be used in accordance with religious ceremonies Palestinian Authority 16 Legal in most cities Philippines 18 Qatar 19 Muslims are allowed to purchase alcohol, but generally not allowed to consume. Non Muslims are allowed to purchase, and consume alcohol. The only legal distributor of alcohol in the country is the Qatar Distribution Company located in Doha. Saudi Arabia Illegal Drinking or possessing alcohol is illegal in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Persons who drink or possess alcohol are subject to arrest and trial. Punishments range from heavy fines, lengthy prison terms and whippings. Singapore None (Private places, sometimes with permission from parents / guardian) 18 (Public places e.g. bars and restaurants) 18 Main Legislation Drinking alcohol is strictly forbidden in public places in reaction to 2013 Little India riot, after the Committee of Inquiry accepts the recommendations on 7 July 2014. For convenience stores, those who pretend to be 18 years and above in a "Challenge 18 '' scheme will be downgraded to "Challenge 21 '' scheme, and after which the licences will be revoked once they pretend to be 18 years and above if it is on "Challenge 21 ''. It is illegal to purchase alcohol in Singapore or consume in a nightclub / allow entry to the nightclub under 18. Home and private drinking of alcohol is allowed, although the safest age could be 6. Parents can try a sip of alcohol at any age. South Korea None 19 The age limit for alcohol is after January 1 of the year one 's age turns to 19. Sri Lanka 21 Syria 18 Taiwan 18 It is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to consume alcohol. Parents, guardians, and others taking care of people under 18 shall prohibit underage drinking, or risk administrative fines of 10000 to 50000 new Taiwan dollars when the situations are serious. One shall not supply alcohol to anyone under the age of 18. A violator shall be administratively fined 3000 to 15000 New Taiwan Dollars. Tajikistan 18 Thailand 20 The Alcoholic Beverage Control Act of 2008 increased the drinking age in Thailand from 18 to 20, private drinking is not regulated in private locations. Turkmenistan 18 United Arab Emirates 18 -- 21 (varies between states). Expatriate non-Muslim residents may request a liquor permit to purchase alcoholic beverages, but it is illegal for such holders to provide drinks to others. The legal age for drinking alcohol is 18 in Abu Dhabi (although a Ministry of Tourism by - law allows hotels to serve alcohol only to those over 21), and 21 in Dubai and the Northern Emirates (except Sharjah, where drinking alcohol is illegal). It is a punishable offence to drink, or to be under the influence of alcohol, in public. Uzbekistan None 20 Vietnam None Yemen Illegal Exception is in Aden Region where it 's legal for 21 and up
what's the legal age to drink in south korea
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