Age of Consent in South Korea

Since 19 May 2020, anyone aged 19 or over who has sex with a 13-, 14- or 15-year-old is punished under the rape provisions, whether or not the younger person agreed (Criminal Act, Article 305). The base penalty is at least three years in prison (Articles 297 and 305). With a child under 13, sex or an indecent act is punished as rape or indecent assault, whatever the other person's age. Before 2020 the line was 13 (Korea Times). Police data show cases under the under-16 rule rose from 69 in 2019 to 637 in 2023 (Newsis).

Korea has no named close-in-age exemption, but the 13-to-15 rule only applies when the older person is 19 or over, so it doesn't cover a partner under 19 (Article 305).

Legal ages are counted in full years from your date of birth (Civil Act, Article 158), so 16 means a 16th birthday. Korea switched to this international age on 28 June 2023 (Reuters via Cyprus Mail).

For anything paid, the line in Korea is 19. The Act on the Protection of Children and Youth against Sex Offenses treats everyone under 19 as a child or youth (Article 2). Buying sex from them covers intercourse and other sexual acts in return for money, gifts or favours, given to the young person, a broker or whoever looks after them (Article 2). It carries one to ten years in prison or a fine of 20 to 50 million won, and up to half as much again if the young person is under 16 (Article 13). Luring or encouraging someone under 19 to sell sex carries up to three years (Article 13).

It's enforced. The US State Department's 2026 report says most of Korea's trafficking convictions were for buying sex from children, with 538 people convicted (2026 Trafficking in Persons report).

Turning 16 doesn't end every protection, because several laws guard everyone under 19. Having sex with anyone under 19 by deception or by using power over them is punished like rape of a child, with life or at least five years in prison (Act on the Protection of Children and Youth against Sex Offenses, Article 7). Taking advantage of a 13- to 15-year-old's desperate circumstances to have sex with them carries at least three years (Article 8-2).

An adult who keeps up sexual conversations with someone under 19, or entices them into sexual acts, faces up to three years in prison, and since an April 2025 change that covers offline contact as well as online chats (Article 15-2).

Bars, alcohol and motels follow the Youth Protection Act, which counts by birth year: anyone who has reached 1 January of the year they turn 19 no longer counts as a youth (Article 2). Hotels and motels may not let a male and a female youth share a room, and motel owners must check guests' ages (Articles 29 and 30).

Your own country's law travels with you. A US citizen or permanent resident who pays anyone under 18 for sex abroad, or commits a sexual act with someone under 18 that would be a federal sex crime on US federal territory, faces up to 30 years in US federal prison (18 U.S.C. § 2423). The Justice Department says the reason for the trip doesn't matter (US Department of Justice).

A UK national who does something abroad that would be a listed sexual offence in England and Wales is guilty of it there, even if it was legal where it happened (Sexual Offences Act 2003, section 72). Paying for sex with anyone under 18 is one of those offences (section 47). Canadian citizens and permanent residents who commit a listed sexual offence abroad against anyone under 18 are treated as if they did it in Canada (Criminal Code, section 7). That includes paying for sex with anyone under 18, which carries up to 14 years and at least six months for a first offence (section 286.1).

Australia draws its line at 16. Its citizens and residents face up to 25 years for sex with a child under 16 anywhere outside Australia, and sex with a 16- or 17-year-old is covered when the adult is in a position of trust or authority, such as their employer (Criminal Code Act 1995, Division 272).

Karaoke bars that serve alcohol (danran jujeom) and entertainment bars such as room salons (yuheung jujeom) may not let youth in or employ them (Youth Protection Act Enforcement Decree, Article 5). Owners and staff must check the age of everyone coming in, and may ask for a resident registration card or other ID and refuse anyone who won't show it (Youth Protection Act, Article 29). Letting a youth in carries up to two years in prison, and employing one up to three (Articles 58 and 59).

Anyone selling alcohol must check the buyer's age and identity (Article 28), and restaurants and bars may not serve youth or employ them as hostesses (Food Sanitation Act, Article 44).

To report trafficking or a minor in the sex trade, call the police on 112; the government's trafficking victim counselling line is 1600-8248 (Ministry of Gender Equality and Family). The 1366 women's emergency line runs 24 hours a day, every day, and covers prostitution, sexual violence and digital sex crimes. From the US, you can also report suspected child sex tourism to NCMEC's CyberTipline at report.cybertip.org or on 1-800-843-5678, 24 hours a day (NCMEC).