Gov't allows bringing in up to 3 months' supply of weight-loss drugs

SEOUL, Nov. 11 (Yonhap) -- People who have legally purchased weight-loss drugs overseas will be able to bring back up to a three-month supply starting this week, the drug safety ministry said Wednesday.

Starting Thursday, people who have purchased medication for self-treatment purposes, including weight-loss drugs Wegovy and Mounjaro, will be able to bring them in their hand luggage, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said, citing an agreement with the Korea Customs Service.

The measure comes after complaints were raised that legally prescribed medications were being held back by customs upon being brought to the country.

Under the rule, up to six bottles of medication can be carried in hand luggage, or up to a three-month supply even if it exceeds six bottles.

The rule does not apply to direct purchases from overseas.

While Wegovy and Mounjaro have until now been prohibited from being brought into the country in travelers' hand luggage, a growing number of South Koreans have attempted to purchase the medications from neighboring countries due to price differences.