Seoul:People in South Korea will now be able to bring back up to a three-month supply of legally purchased weight-loss drugs from overseas, starting this week, as announced by the drug safety ministry on Wednesday.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the new regulation will take effect on Thursday. It allows individuals who have purchased medications for self-treatment, including weight-loss drugs such as Wegovy and Mounjaro, to carry them in their hand luggage. This change follows an agreement between the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and the Korea Customs Service.

This policy adjustment comes in response to complaints about legally prescribed medications being held back by customs upon entry into the country. Under the new rule, travelers can carry up to six bottles of medication in their hand luggage or a supply sufficient for three months, even if it exceeds six bottles. However, this allowance does not extend to direct purchases from overseas.

Previously, Wegovy and Mounjaro were prohibited from being brought into South Korea in travelers' hand luggage. The restriction led many South Koreans to purchase these medications from neighboring countries due to price differences.