If you are traveling to South Korea, you may have heard that you should never flush toilet paper there.
That advice is outdated for most places.
In most modern public restrooms, hotels, airports, subway stations, department stores, and restaurants in Korea, regular toilet paper should be flushed down the toilet.
However, there are still a few exceptions, especially in older buildings. The easiest rule is to look for a sign inside the restroom and follow the instructions provided.
Why Do Some Travelers Think You Cannot Flush Toilet Paper in Korea?
In the past, many Korean restrooms had wastebaskets beside the toilet for used toilet paper. Older plumbing systems and concerns about clogged toilets were often given as reasons.
This created Korea’s reputation as a country where toilet paper should not be flushed.
However, restroom practices have changed significantly. Since 2018, wastebaskets for used toilet paper have generally been removed from stalls in public restrooms. The change was intended to reduce odors, insects, and sanitation problems.
Today, used toilet paper normally goes into the toilet in public facilities.
What Should You Do in a Korean Restroom?
First, check for a sign near the toilet.
You may see an English message, a picture, or a Korean notice explaining what to do. If there is no special warning, you can generally flush a reasonable amount of regular toilet paper.
If a restroom specifically asks users not to flush paper, follow that instruction. This may happen in an older building, a small restaurant, or another property with a sensitive plumbing system.
Do not assume that every small bin beside a toilet is meant for toilet paper. In women’s restrooms, a small covered bin may be provided only for sanitary products.
What Should Never Be Flushed?
Only flush regular toilet paper and human waste.
Do not flush:
- Wet wipes, including wipes labeled “flushable”
- Paper towels
- Facial tissues
- Sanitary pads or tampons
- Diapers
- Cotton swabs
- Food wrappers or other trash
These items do not dissolve like toilet paper and can clog the plumbing.
Place sanitary products in the designated sanitary bin. Other trash should go into a regular wastebasket, which may be located near the sinks or outside the toilet stall.
What Do the Korean Signs Mean?
Here are two messages you may encounter:
휴지는 변기에 버려주세요
Please put toilet paper in the toilet.
휴지는 휴지통에 버려주세요
Please put toilet paper in the wastebasket.
The sentences look similar, so pay attention to these two words:
- 변기 means toilet.
- 휴지통 means wastebasket.
You can use a translation app such as Papago if you are not sure what a restroom sign says.
What About Hotels and Modern Buildings?
Hotels, airports, shopping malls, subway stations, and newer buildings usually have modern plumbing. In these places, you should generally flush regular toilet paper.
You do not need to place used toilet paper in a trash can unless a sign specifically instructs you to do so.
Use a reasonable amount at one time. Flushing a very large amount of paper can clog a toilet in any country.
Final Answer
Yes, you can flush toilet paper in most restrooms in South Korea.
Korea’s older practice of placing used toilet paper in a wastebasket is no longer the general rule in modern public restrooms. However, a few older buildings or small businesses may still provide different instructions.
Remember these simple rules:
- Flush regular toilet paper unless a sign says otherwise.
- Never flush wet wipes or sanitary products.
- Use designated bins for sanitary products and other trash.
- When in doubt, check the sign inside the restroom.
You are unlikely to have any problems if you follow the posted instructions and flush only regular toilet paper.
Related Guide: Are Public Restrooms Free in Korea?