"I just returned from a trip to Korea and experienced culture shock. Public restrooms are clean and free."

This is a review posted by a foreign tourist on Reddit, the largest English-speaking online community, about their trip to Korea. Within just five days of being posted, the review received over 700 'likes.' While public restrooms are part of everyday life for Koreans, they are a source of envy among foreigners. One popular Korean tourism website even listed Korean restrooms as a tourist attraction.

Restroom at Cheonho Station, Subway Line 5. Seoul City

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Interest in Korean public restrooms among foreigners is nothing new. Reddit's Korea travel pages are filled with stories about experiences using public restrooms. One foreign user wrote, "There are clean and free restrooms everywhere in Korea. There is a restroom in every park and subway station," adding, "What surprised me most was that even restrooms inside food courts, cafes, and office buildings could be used for free."

Some people share 'restroom tips' for tourists preparing to visit Korea. Another user commented, "There are many outdoor restrooms in Korea, and their quality varies," and suggested, "If you value a pleasant restroom, you should use the ones in subway stations. The newer the station, the better the facilities, so if possible, take Subway Line 9."

Foreigners Say "Free and Clean Are Amazing"
Praises for Korean Restrooms on Reddit
Open-Concept Culture in Subway Stations and Cafes
Paid Restrooms in Europe and Poor Maintenance in the U.S.
A 'Restroom Powerhouse' Managed by Law

For foreigners, Korean restrooms are sometimes seen as a unique tourist experience. Harley Bradley, who has run the travel guide website 'Soul of Seoul' since 2006, wrote in a guide published last May, "Korean restrooms are curious spaces that blend long-standing tradition with modern trends. You can experience everything from old-style restrooms in the alleys of Hongdae to the latest high-end facilities in department stores," emphasizing, "Just using a restroom in Korea is already an adventure."

The reason Korean public restrooms attract so much attention from foreigners is attributed to differences in infrastructure. One user from Europe wrote on Reddit, "In the country where I was born, restrooms are either completely neglected or, even if they're in decent condition, you usually have to pay to use them. In fact, there are far more public restrooms that are both paid and in poor condition."

Temporary restrooms installed in the city of Paris during the Paris Olympics. Paris City Official Website

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Although the proportions vary by country, many public restrooms in Europe operate on a pay-per-use system. Renowned travel writer Rick Steves explained, "Paid public restrooms are a long-standing custom in Europe. You will often find paid restrooms at highway rest stops, train stations, and tourist attractions," adding, "The fee is 0.5 euros as of 2024, and you may need to purchase toilet paper separately from an attendant."

In the United States, cities do operate free public restrooms, but their condition is often rated as poor. According to the 'Public Restroom Rankings' compiled in 2021 by global restroom equipment supplier QS Supplies, the United States ranked 30th in the world, on par with Botswana in Africa. There are only eight public restrooms per 100,000 people in the U.S., and school restroom toilets were found to have weak water pressure. In connection with this, The Wall Street Journal reported last July that "American cities are experiencing a public restroom crisis."

Meanwhile, most public restrooms in Korea are installed and operated by the government and local municipalities under the 'Act on Public Restrooms, etc.' This law specifies in detail the number of urinals and toilets in men's and women's restrooms, the installation of convenience facilities, and standards for the treatment of wastewater and waste.