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Smoking in Seoul: no-smoking zones

TRAVEL TIPS · UPDATED NOV 3, 2026

Subway exits

No smoking within 10 m of every exit in Seoul

Fine

Up to ₩100,000 (city and district rules)

Seoul Station

Whole plaza, nearby roads and bus transfer center · booths on the plaza

E-cigarettes

Count too

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No smoking within 10 m of any Seoul subway exit, across all of Seoul Station Plaza, at bus stops, in city parks and at the palaces. Here is where the no-smoking zones are on a tourist's route, what the fine is, where the Seoul Station booths are, and the Korean signs to look for.

Gangnam Station Exit 8 · Photo: Christian Bolz (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons

Where you can't smoke (on a tourist's route)

1. 10 MAround every subway exit

   Seoul's city ordinance makes the area within 10 m of every subway station exit in the city a no-smoking zone, in all directions. It has applied since May 2016, with fines since September 2016.

2. PLAZASeoul Station Plaza and around it

   Since June 1, 2025, Seoul Station Plaza, the roads around the station and the Seoul Station Bus Transfer Center are a no-smoking zone (about 56,800 m²). The fine is ₩100,000.

   서울역광장CopyGoogle Maps
3. PALACESPalace grounds

   Royal palaces such as Gyeongbokgung are no-smoking zones. Under the Korea Heritage Service's rules, staff can stop your visit and ask you to leave if you smoke.

4. SQUARESGwanghwamun Square, Seoul Plaza, Cheonggye Plaza

   The big city squares in central Seoul are city-designated no-smoking zones.

5. STOPSBus stops and taxi stands

   Bus stops and taxi stands are no-smoking zones under the city ordinance, and every district also bans smoking near roadside bus stops.

6. PARKSCity parks

   Parks run by Seoul City are no-smoking, including Namsan Park, Seoul Forest and Yeouido Park. Districts add more streets and areas over time, so check the signs.

How the fine works

1. AMOUNTUp to ₩100,000

   Korea's health promotion law allows a fine of up to ₩100,000 for smoking in a no-smoking zone. Seoul's city ordinance sets ₩100,000 for zones the city designates; some district-designated outdoor zones are ₩50,000.

2. VAPESE-cigarettes count

   Since April 24, 2026, nicotine liquid e-cigarettes (including synthetic nicotine) count as tobacco under Korean law, so the same no-smoking rules apply.

3. SIGNSFollow the signs on site

   No-smoking zones are marked with signs. Rules and zones can change, so the signs on site are what counts.

Where you can smoke

1. SIGNLook for 흡연구역 (smoking area)

   Smoke only where a sign or booth says 흡연구역. Seoul City prefers fewer smoking facilities, so find the booth before you light up.

   흡연구역Copy
2. STATIONSeoul Station: the Korail booths

   At Seoul Station, smokers must use the designated smoking booths on the plaza, run by Korail (Korea Railroad Corporation).

   서울역광장 흡연부스CopyGoogle Maps

Read the signs

1. SIGNNo smoking

   geum-yeon

   금연Copy
2. SIGNSmoking prohibited

   heu-byeon geum-ji

   흡연금지Copy
3. SIGNNo-smoking zone

   geum-yeon gu-yeok

   금연구역Copy
4. SIGNSmoking area

   heu-byeon gu-yeok

   흡연구역Copy

Say it in Korean (show this screen)

1. SAYWhere is the smoking area?

   heu-byeon gu-yeok eo-di-ye-yo?

   흡연구역 어디예요?Copy
2. SAYCan I smoke here?

   yeo-gi-seo dam-bae pi-wo-do dwae-yo?

   여기서 담배 피워도 돼요?Copy
3. SAYSorry, I didn't know.

   joe-song-hae-yo, mol-las-seo-yo.

   죄송해요, 몰랐어요.Copy

Local tips

• Our tip: step well away from the exit stairs before you light up. 10 m is about 12–14 steps.
• Our tip: smoking while walking on busy streets is frowned on even where it isn't a marked zone.
• Rules can change; follow the signs on site.

FAQ

Sources: Seoul Metropolitan Government: ordinance on smoke-free environments and secondhand smoke (in force Oct 1, 2026) · Seoul Metropolitan Government: secondhand smoke prevention / no-smoking zones (updated Apr 1, 2026) · Seoul City (Naesonan Seoul): subway exits 10 m no-smoking, fines from September (Apr 29, 2016) · Seoul Shinmun: Seoul Station Plaza ₩100,000 fine from June 1 (May 29, 2025) · Korea JoongAng Daily: Seoul Station area smoke-free zone (May 29, 2025) · Newsis: palace rules, smokers can be stopped and removed (Jan 21, 2026) · Herald Economy: liquid e-cigarettes count as tobacco from Apr 24, 2026

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