Being able to communicate anywhere and with anyone is vital nowadays. And how could you do that if you don't have a Korean phone number? In this article, we will explain how you can buy a Korean number and also a device.
First of all, what everyone should know is that Korean phone numbers are a bit of a chore and hard to buy, and many companies don't provide a number if you don't have a Korean ID card and sometimes if you do not have a bank account in this country. But as a tourist, you have another choice that we speak about in another article.
Some general information:
A Korean phone number includes 9 to 11 digits, starting with 010 for mobile, and for any other type of call, the locality code must be entered. And of course, if you want to call Korea from another country, don't forget to add +82, which is the country code.
As mentioned above, all mobile phone companies in Korea use the same type of code initially composed of 010. This law was passed in January 2004, and since then the system of choice for a number has changed. It should be noted that in Korea when you choose a number of phones, the first 4 digits following 010-XXXX are chosen from a list provided by the phone company, then the last 4 digits, 010-xxxx-yyyy, to be customized. This is due to the fact that in Korea the telephone number is very often used for cards or online payment and the last 4 personalized digits provide some kind of security both
for the seller and the buyer.
SIM Card types:
1. GS25 prepaid sim
A first option would be the sim card (EG Sim) purchased from a non-stop store called GS25.
This card gives you a phone number and the ability to text or call, but it doesn't contain anything special otherwise. They charge a lot of money; the calls are quite expensive and you do not have any kind of benefit as a subscriber. Recharging at any GS25 store. Also being mentioned that they can only be used with a Korean phone.
2. A Sim already purchased by someone else before
A second option is to purchase a phone number already used by someone else, before you, which is also called EG sim. There are shops in Itaewon, Gangnam, or Euljiro from which you can buy a rechargeable card that has already been used by a Korean or another stranger before you. Basically, these people had a subscription, and the number was sold to these types of stores so that they can be purchased later by someone else. Sounds good, doesn't it? They are good, although it sounds convenient and the purchase price is lower than that of the GS25, the problem is that sometimes people who have had the number before can contact you thinking you are someone else. Like any SIM card, it has no benefits and can only be recharged with money, and a few are with the internet included. Another drawback would be that these cards only recharge from the store you bought them from, or by bank transfer. In conclusion, this card is one that was recycled and reused.
3. A free SIM card
A few years ago, in Korea there was a boom and a trend with these free cards for foreigners, moreover, by purchasing them you could also receive a gift. These are normal cards, prepaid, from large companies, such as SKT, KT, or LGU + called prepaid (알뜰). But you can't buy one unless you have a Korean ID card. These are normal SIM cards, can be recharged at any company store respectively or even by bank transfer and they work very well. With them you can connect to subway internet on the network you have with your SIM certificate checking system and you can use them for coupons or discounts on certain applications. The advantage is that you can load it with a minimum of 10,000 KRW and you can call or use the internet or send messages. The downside would be that once you've run out of money, you have to recharge, and sometimes you can end up paying more than a monthly subscription for these services. By the way, you don't have to go to a store to pick up these SIMs you receive at home for a fee (usually 2,500 KRW), within a maximum of 2 days from the order.
4. A prepaid card that you pay monthly as a subscription
There are companies in Korea, one of the best known for this being LGU +, which offers a
card that you pay monthly as a subscription, but which gives you the opportunity for a minute,
free internet, and messages for the price you pay. They are also called prepaid(알뜰) and they must be
purchased by phone, with a Korean ID card and a bank account. You can choose the option to automatically withdraw the money per month on a certain day. You can keep your previous phone number if you want or request a new one. When you subscribe, you will receive your SIM card at home with activation instructions in a few days. The major advantage is that these subscriptions are very cheap and have very good options, especially for students. This card can be used only for 3 months and after that, you can change it, or cancel it. It does not oblige you to subscribe for one or two years.
5. Mobile subscription
The most well-known way for everyone is to buy a monthly subscription for a period determined by one or two years from a Korean company such as LG U +, SK Telecom, KT, or Onse Telecom (the one from the mail). For that, you need a stable address, a Korean ID card valid for more than one year, and a Korean bank account.
If you come as a student or work, this option can be the most advantageous and the cheapest, depending on the needs of each of us. At the moment, the lowest subscription is over 40,000 KRW and contains unlimited messages and minutes and a few MB of mobile data, which differs from company to company. With a subscription, you can accumulate some points and you have lots of benefits, and when you become a VIP, you get a free phone or free movie tickets, etc. Although you have to be a customer of the same company for a long time, you have the possibility to change your tariff plan or to buy a phone after 6 months, or even when you subscribe. Usually, phones are purchased with a subscription
have a discount and can be paid in monthly installments. But this can lead to a very large monthly amount which many students cannot afford.
6. Second-hand phones
The purchase of a phone can be made from the mobile phone shops, from their websites, or from certain people who sell used and second-hand phones. Craigslist would be one of the variants, but also Facebook. The problem with purchasing them is the same as in other countries, some companies block the phone only on one network, that's why you have to be very careful. Another solution is the stores specified above, in Itaewon, or Gangnam Euljiro that cell phones and SIM cards. Obviously, in addition to buying a Korean phone, there is also the possibility of using your own phone from your country, but often companies do not support this option (subscription-specific) and many SIM cards are not supported.
Here are some links where you can buy a Korean mobile phone:
Short numbers for assistance:
100 - KT customer service
101 - LG U + Customer Service
106 - SK Broadband Customer Service
Reload applications:
In Korea, recharging your phone through an application using a bank transfer is very easy
and convenient. One of these applications is called Recharge Mobile 00796 and gives you the option
to recharge your card with money for calls or mobile data only. They can help even when your ID card has expired and needs to be renewed in the database, and any recharge receives 50 international minutes that can be used. The SIM card can be recharged with a minimum of 10,000 KRW, and everything takes up to 5 minutes. They have full service in English, but also offer other languages. This is the easiest and fastest option. They also have a points system, and at 10,000 points you can reload for free.
