Mobile Phone & SIM Card Guide 📱
한국 휴대폰 및 통신 가이드
📋 Table of Contents
📡Major Carriers (주요 통신사)
Korea has three major mobile carriers (통신사) with excellent nationwide coverage:
🔴 SK Telecom (SKT)
Largest carrier - Best coverage, premium service
- Best 5G network coverage
- Most expensive plans
- Popular among Korean users
- English customer service available
🔵 KT
Second largest - Good balance of price and quality
- Competitive pricing
- Strong urban coverage
- Better foreigner support
- Popular "Olleh" brand
🩷 LG U+ (LG 유플러스)
Third largest - Most affordable of the big three
- Competitive prices
- Good for data-heavy users
- Decent coverage in cities
- Bundled home internet deals
💡 Pro Tip: All three carriers have similar coverage in major cities. Choose based on your budget and contract preferences. SKT has the best rural coverage.
📲How to Get a SIM Card (유심카드 구매)
🛫 Option 1: Airport (Easiest for Tourists)
📍 Locations:
- Incheon Airport (Terminal 1 & 2)
- Gimpo Airport
- Busan Gimhae Airport
✅ Pros:
- Immediate activation
- English-speaking staff
- Open 24/7 at Incheon
- Tourist-friendly prepaid plans
❌ Cons:
- More expensive than city stores
- Limited plan options
🏪 Option 2: Convenience Stores (Budget Option)
📍 Available at:
- GS25, CU, 7-Eleven, Emart24
- Most locations nationwide
✅ Pros:
- Cheapest prepaid options
- Available everywhere
- 24/7 access
- No contract required
❌ Cons:
- Staff may not speak English
- Manual activation required
- Limited customer support
🏢 Option 3: Carrier Stores (Best for Long-term)
📍 Store Types:
- Official carrier stores (SKT, KT, LG U+)
- Authorized dealer stores
✅ Pros:
- All plan options available
- Professional support
- Can sign long-term contracts
- Phone purchase + plan bundles
❌ Cons:
- Requires registration documents
- May require Korean language
- Longer process (30-60 minutes)
🌐 Option 4: Online (Most Convenient)
📱 Recommended Services:
- Klook - Tourist SIM cards with airport pickup
- KT Olleh App - Direct carrier purchase
- Coupang - Prepaid SIM delivery
✅ Pros:
- Order before arriving
- English interface available
- Home or airport delivery
- Compare prices easily
💰Plan Types & Costs (요금제 및 비용)
✅ Prepaid (선불) - Best for Tourists
Pay in advance, no contract, no credit check
- No registration required
- Flexible - Cancel anytime
- Simple - Just top up and use
- More expensive per GB
- Limited plan options
✅ Postpaid (후불) - Best for Residents
Pay monthly bill, requires registration
- ARC required (Alien Registration Card)
- Cheaper monthly rates
- More data included
- 12-24 month contracts typical
- Credit check may be required
💵 Typical Monthly Costs
| Plan Type | Data Allowance | Cost (₩/month) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist Prepaid | 5-10 GB | ₩30,000-50,000 | Short visits (1-30 days) |
| Budget MVNO | 5 GB | ₩15,000-20,000 | Light users |
| MVNO Standard | Unlimited | ₩30,000-40,000 | Budget-conscious users |
| Major Carrier Basic | 10-20 GB | ₩50,000-60,000 | Regular users |
| Major Carrier Unlimited | Unlimited (5G) | ₩70,000-90,000 | Heavy data users |
| Major Carrier Premium | Unlimited + perks | ₩100,000+ | Premium features |
⚠️ Note: "Unlimited" plans often have fair usage policies. After using a certain amount (typically 200+ GB), speeds may be throttled. Check the fine print!
💸Budget MVNO Options (알뜰폰)
MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators, 알뜰폰) are budget carriers that use the infrastructure of major carriers but offer significantly cheaper plans.
📱 Freet (프리티)
Uses SK Telecom network
Popular among foreigners, English support, easy app
₩15,000/month (5GB)
📱 Hello Mobile (헬로모바일)
Uses KT network
Very cheap plans, good for light users
₩13,000/month (3GB)
📱 EG Mobile (EG모바일)
Uses SK Telecom network
Good balance of price and features
₩25,000/month (Unlimited)
📱 U+알뜰폰
Uses LG U+ network
Official LG U+ budget brand
₩18,000/month (10GB)
✅ Advantages
- 50-70% cheaper than major carriers
- Same network coverage
- No contract required (most plans)
- Easy online sign-up
- Can keep your phone number
❌ Disadvantages
- Lower priority during network congestion
- Limited customer service
- Fewer physical stores
- No phone financing options
- Korean language often required
💡 Recommendation: If you're a long-term resident and don't need in-person support, MVNOs are excellent value. Freet and Hello Mobile are most popular among expats.
📄Required Documents (필요 서류)
🧳 For Tourists (Short-term Visitors)
Prepaid SIM Card:
- ✅ Passport (여권)
- ✅ That's it! Very simple
🏠 For Residents (Long-term Stay)
Postpaid Contract:
- ✅ ARC (Alien Registration Card / 외국인등록증)
- ✅ Korean bank account (for automatic payments)
- ✅ Passport (sometimes required)
- ⚠️ Deposit may be required (₩200,000-300,000)
Note: Deposit is refundable when you cancel service. Some carriers waive deposits after 6-12 months of on-time payments.
⚠️ Without ARC (새로 도착한 외국인)
If you just arrived and don't have ARC yet:
- Use prepaid SIM cards temporarily (1-3 months)
- Some carriers accept passport + proof of residence
- Get ARC within 90 days to switch to postpaid
💡 Pro Tip: Apply for ARC as soon as you arrive in Korea. You'll need it not just for phone service, but for banking, housing, and many other services.
📲Useful Apps (유용한 앱)
📱 T World (SKT)
Official SK Telecom app
- Check data usage
- Pay bills
- Change plans
- Customer support
📱 Olleh (KT)
Official KT app
- Manage account
- Real-time data tracking
- Bill payment
- Store locator
📱 U+ Customer (LG U+)
Official LG U+ app
- Service management
- Usage history
- Plan changes
- Promotions
📱 Papago / Google Translate
Translation apps
- Translate app interfaces
- Read contracts
- Communicate with staff
- Essential for Korean menus
📊 Data Usage Tracking
Most carrier apps show real-time data usage. Check daily to avoid overage charges!
You can also check by dialing: *6*1# (SKT),114 (KT), 101 (LG U+)
❌How to Cancel Service (해지 방법)
🛑 Cancellation Process (해지 절차)
1️⃣ Check Your Contract
- Review contract end date
- Check for early termination fees
- Verify remaining device payments
2️⃣ Visit Carrier Store or Call
- Bring ARC and phone
- Or call customer service hotline
- Some carriers allow app cancellation
3️⃣ Get Final Bill & Deposit Refund
- Pay any outstanding charges
- Deposit refunded within 7-14 days
- Keep confirmation receipt
📞 Customer Service Numbers
• SK Telecom: 114 (Korean), 1599-0011 (English)
• KT: 100 (Korean), 1588-0010 (English)
• LG U+: 101 (Korean), 1544-0010 (English)
⚠️ Early Termination Fees
If you cancel before contract end:
- Fee typically ₩100,000-300,000
- Must pay remaining device installments
- No fee after contract period ends
- Prepaid plans: No cancellation fee
💡 Leaving Korea? Cancel at least 1 week before departure. Bring a friend who speaks Korean if needed. Keep your final bill receipt for records.
💡Important Tips (중요한 팁)
📶 Check Coverage
All carriers have excellent coverage in cities. SKT has the best rural/mountain coverage. Check carrier coverage maps before signing up.
💳 Payment Methods
Most postpaid plans require automatic bank payments. Convenience store prepaid top-ups accept cash and cards. Set up auto-pay to avoid service interruption.
📱 Unlocked Phones
Make sure your phone is unlocked before arriving. Korean carriers use the same frequencies as most countries. Check your phone's compatibility online.
🌐 5G Networks
Korea has excellent 5G coverage in cities. 5G plans are only ₩10,000-20,000 more than 4G. Worth it if you have a 5G phone!
🔢 Keep Your Number
You can port your Korean phone number between carriers. Process takes 1-2 hours. Tell your new carrier you want to keep your number (번호이동).
🚨 Lost Phone
Immediately call customer service to suspend service. Report to police for insurance. Korean carriers offer device protection plans for ~₩10,000/month.
🎯 Quick Recommendations by User Type
• Tourist (1-30 days): Airport prepaid SIM or Klook online order
• Student (6-12 months): MVNO like Freet or Hello Mobile
• Worker (1+ years): KT or LG U+ postpaid with 24-month contract
• Heavy user: Major carrier unlimited 5G plan
• Budget conscious: Hello Mobile or convenience store prepaid
🗣️Useful Korean Phrases (유용한 한국어 표현)
I want a SIM card
유심카드 주세요 (yusim kadeu juseyo)
Prepaid plan please
선불 요금제 주세요 (seonbul yogeumje juseyo)
How much per month?
한 달에 얼마예요? (han dare eolmayeyo?)
I need unlimited data
무제한 데이터 필요해요 (mujeh an deiteo pilyohaeyo)
Can I use this phone?
이 핸드폰 쓸 수 있어요? (i haendeupon sseul su isseoyo?)
I want to cancel
해지하고 싶어요 (haejihago sipeoyo)
🔗Additional Resources
• Korea Communications Commission: Consumer protection and complaints
• 1345 Immigration Hotline: Questions about ARC and registration
• r/korea Reddit: Expat community with phone service advice
• Carrier Apps: Download carrier app for account management