South Korea's country code is +82. To call a Korean number from abroad, dial your international access code (or just use the + symbol on a mobile phone), then 82, then the Korean number without the leading zero. That leading zero is a domestic trunk prefix and is dropped when dialing internationally.
For example, if a Korean mobile number is 010-1234-5678, you would dial +82-10-1234-5678 from abroad. If a Seoul landline is 02-1234-5678, you would dial +82-2-1234-5678. The rule is simple: replace the leading 0 with +82.
| Number Type | Korean Format | International Format |
|---|
| Mobile | 010-1234-5678 | +82-10-1234-5678 |
| Seoul landline | 02-1234-5678 | +82-2-1234-5678 |
| Busan landline | 051-1234-5678 | +82-51-1234-5678 |
| Toll-free | 080-1234-5678 | +82-80-1234-5678 |
On any mobile phone, just tap the + symbol (hold down 0 on most phones) followed by 82 and the number without the leading zero. You do not need to know your country's international access code.
Mobile vs. Landline Numbers
Korean mobile numbers always start with 010 (domestically) or +82-10 (internationally). Older mobile numbers starting with 011, 016, 017, 018, or 019 still exist but are increasingly rare. All mobile numbers are 11 digits in domestic format (010-XXXX-XXXX).
Landline numbers vary in length depending on the city. Seoul uses a 2-digit area code (02), while other cities use 3-digit area codes (051 for Busan, 031 for Gyeonggi Province, etc.). The total length of a landline number is 9-10 digits domestically. Internet phone numbers (VoIP) often start with 070.
| Prefix | Type | Coverage |
|---|
| 010 | Mobile | All carriers nationwide |
| 02 | Landline | Seoul |
| 031 | Landline | Gyeonggi Province (Suwon, Incheon area) |
| 032 | Landline | Incheon |
| 051 | Landline | Busan |
| 064 | Landline | Jeju |
| 070 | VoIP | Internet phone numbers |
Calling Apps & Free Alternatives
International calls to Korean numbers can be expensive on traditional phone plans. The easiest and cheapest alternatives are internet-based calling apps. KakaoTalk is Korea's dominant messaging app (used by 95%+ of the population) and supports free voice and video calls over WiFi or data. If you can reach the person on KakaoTalk, you never need to make a traditional phone call.
Other options include WhatsApp (used by some Koreans with international contacts), LINE, and Skype. For calling Korean landlines or businesses from abroad, Skype credit or Google Voice offer low per-minute rates. If you have a Korean eSIM with a data plan, you can use any of these apps over data without WiFi.
- KakaoTalk — free calls to other KakaoTalk users (most Koreans use this).
- WhatsApp — works if your contact has it installed.
- Skype — low-cost calls to Korean landlines and mobiles.
- Google Voice — cheap international calling rates.
- FaceTime — free between Apple devices.
- Korean eSIM + WiFi calling — use your regular number over data.
KakaoTalk is the single most important app in Korea. Download it and set it up before your trip — it is how Koreans communicate for everything from friend chats to restaurant reservations to business meetings.
Emergency Numbers From Abroad
If you need to reach Korean emergency services from abroad (for example, to report an emergency involving someone in Korea), you can dial the following numbers using the international format. From inside Korea, these numbers work without any prefix.
| Service | From Inside Korea | From Abroad |
|---|
| Police | 112 | +82-2-112 |
| Fire / Ambulance | 119 | +82-2-119 |
| Tourist Helpline | 1330 | +82-2-1330 |
The 1330 Korea Travel Helpline is available 24/7 in English, Japanese, Chinese, and other languages. It is the best number to call for any travel-related issue — they can help with translation, lost items, hospital directions, taxi disputes, and general travel questions.
Emergency numbers 112 and 119 work from any phone in Korea, even without a SIM card. If you only have a phone with no Korean SIM, these emergency calls will still connect.
South Korea's country code is +82. To call a Korean number from abroad, dial your international access code (or just use the + symbol on a mobile phone), then 82, then the Korean number without the leading zero. That leading zero is a domestic trunk prefix and is dropped when dialing internationally.
For example, if a Korean mobile number is 010-1234-5678, you would dial +82-10-1234-5678 from abroad. If a Seoul landline is 02-1234-5678, you would dial +82-2-1234-5678. The rule is simple: replace the leading 0 with +82.
| Number Type | Korean Format | International Format |
|---|
| Mobile | 010-1234-5678 | +82-10-1234-5678 |
| Seoul landline | 02-1234-5678 | +82-2-1234-5678 |
| Busan landline | 051-1234-5678 | +82-51-1234-5678 |
| Toll-free | 080-1234-5678 | +82-80-1234-5678 |
On any mobile phone, just tap the + symbol (hold down 0 on most phones) followed by 82 and the number without the leading zero. You do not need to know your country's international access code.
Mobile vs. Landline Numbers
Korean mobile numbers always start with 010 (domestically) or +82-10 (internationally). Older mobile numbers starting with 011, 016, 017, 018, or 019 still exist but are increasingly rare. All mobile numbers are 11 digits in domestic format (010-XXXX-XXXX).
Landline numbers vary in length depending on the city. Seoul uses a 2-digit area code (02), while other cities use 3-digit area codes (051 for Busan, 031 for Gyeonggi Province, etc.). The total length of a landline number is 9-10 digits domestically. Internet phone numbers (VoIP) often start with 070.
| Prefix | Type | Coverage |
|---|
| 010 | Mobile | All carriers nationwide |
| 02 | Landline | Seoul |
| 031 | Landline | Gyeonggi Province (Suwon, Incheon area) |
| 032 | Landline | Incheon |
| 051 | Landline | Busan |
| 064 | Landline | Jeju |
| 070 | VoIP | Internet phone numbers |
Calling Apps & Free Alternatives
International calls to Korean numbers can be expensive on traditional phone plans. The easiest and cheapest alternatives are internet-based calling apps. KakaoTalk is Korea's dominant messaging app (used by 95%+ of the population) and supports free voice and video calls over WiFi or data. If you can reach the person on KakaoTalk, you never need to make a traditional phone call.
Other options include WhatsApp (used by some Koreans with international contacts), LINE, and Skype. For calling Korean landlines or businesses from abroad, Skype credit or Google Voice offer low per-minute rates. If you have a Korean eSIM with a data plan, you can use any of these apps over data without WiFi.
- KakaoTalk — free calls to other KakaoTalk users (most Koreans use this).
- WhatsApp — works if your contact has it installed.
- Skype — low-cost calls to Korean landlines and mobiles.
- Google Voice — cheap international calling rates.
- FaceTime — free between Apple devices.
- Korean eSIM + WiFi calling — use your regular number over data.
KakaoTalk is the single most important app in Korea. Download it and set it up before your trip — it is how Koreans communicate for everything from friend chats to restaurant reservations to business meetings.
Emergency Numbers From Abroad
If you need to reach Korean emergency services from abroad (for example, to report an emergency involving someone in Korea), you can dial the following numbers using the international format. From inside Korea, these numbers work without any prefix.
| Service | From Inside Korea | From Abroad |
|---|
| Police | 112 | +82-2-112 |
| Fire / Ambulance | 119 | +82-2-119 |
| Tourist Helpline | 1330 | +82-2-1330 |
The 1330 Korea Travel Helpline is available 24/7 in English, Japanese, Chinese, and other languages. It is the best number to call for any travel-related issue — they can help with translation, lost items, hospital directions, taxi disputes, and general travel questions.
Emergency numbers 112 and 119 work from any phone in Korea, even without a SIM card. If you only have a phone with no Korean SIM, these emergency calls will still connect.