East Asia
Can you drink tap water in South Korea?
Boil itFilter or boil
Can you drink the tap water in South Korea?
Tap water is treated, but filter or boil it. Treated to high standards and fine in newer buildings, but most locals use filters; restaurants serve free filtered water.
Key facts
- Safely managed drinking water: 99% of people (2024, WHO/UNICEF JMP).
Tap water by place in South Korea
| Place | Verdict | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Seoul | Filter or boil | Seoul's Arisu tap water meets drinking standards, but most locals use filters; restaurants serve free filtered water. |
| Busan | Filter or boil | Busan tap water is treated to drinking standards, though many residents prefer filters; restaurants serve free filtered water. |
| Jeju | Filter or boil | Jeju's volcanic spring water is excellent and treated, but locals still filter; restaurants serve free filtered water. |
| Gyeongju | Filter or boil | Treated tap water meets standards; most locals use filters and restaurants serve free filtered water. |
| Seogwipo | Filter or boil | Jeju's volcanic spring water is clean and treated, but locals mostly filter; restaurants serve free filtered water. |
| Incheon | Filter or boil | Treated tap water meets standards; most locals use filters and restaurants serve free filtered water. |
| Jeonju | Filter or boil | Treated tap water meets standards; most locals use filters and restaurants serve free filtered water. |
| Sokcho | Filter or boil | Treated tap water meets standards; most locals use filters and restaurants serve free filtered water. |
| Gangneung | Filter or boil | Treated tap water meets standards; most locals use filters and restaurants serve free filtered water. |
| Daegu | Filter or boil | Treated tap water meets standards; most locals use filters and restaurants serve free filtered water. |
| Yeosu | Filter or boil | Treated tap water meets standards; most locals use filters and restaurants serve free filtered water. |
Tap water by place
Sources
- World Bank: safely managed drinking water
- US State Department travel advisory
- K-ETA (Ministry of Justice)
- Korea e-Arrival Card
- Korea Visa Portal
- Speedtest Global Index: South Korea
- World Bank open data
Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.