South Korea Phone Number Format for Local & International Calls

A South Korean phone number is made up of a country code, a trunk code, an area code for landlines or a mobile prefix for cell phone numbers, and a subscriber number. These components vary slightly for domestic and international dialing.

The country code identifies a country for international calls. South Korea’s country code is 82. It is used only when calling South Korea from another country and is not required for calls made within South Korea.

The trunk code is used for domestic calls within South Korea. The trunk code is 0 and appears at the beginning of a phone number when dialing locally, whether to a landline or a mobile phone. However, it must be removed when making international calls.

The area code identifies the city or region for a landline number. In South Korea, area codes are typically 1 to 2 digits long (without trunk code) and are unique for each region/city.

Here are some popular area codes in South Korea with their corresponding city/region:

In South Korea, all mobile phone numbers start with the prefix 010. These numbers are not tied to a specific region, so they do not use area codes.

The subscriber number is the unique local number assigned to an individual or business phone line. Landline numbers in South Korea usually have 7 to 8 digits, while mobile numbers have eight digits.

The South Korean number format for local calls starts with the trunk code (0), followed by the area code for landlines or the mobile prefix for cell phone numbers, and then the subscriber number.

Here’s how to dial a South Korean phone number for local calls:

• Step 1: Dial the area code or mobile prefix (including the leading 0).
• Step 2: Enter the subscriber number.

Landline Number: 02 5234 76XX

Here,

• 02 – Seoul area code
• 5234 76XX – Local subscriber number

Mobile Phone Number: 010 4321 78XX
Here,

• 010 – Mobile prefix
• 4321 78XX – Subscriber number

Toll-Free Number: 080 674 12XX

Here,

• 080 – Toll-free prefix
• 674 12XX – Subscriber number

The international phone number format for South Korea includes your country’s exit code, the South Korea country code (82), and the area code or mobile prefix (without the leading 0), followed by the subscriber number.

Here’s how to dial a South Korean phone number from abroad:

• Step 1: Dial your country’s international exit code.
• Step 2: Enter the South Korean country code, 82.
• Step 3: Add the area code or mobile prefix, without the trunk code.
• Step 4: Dial the subscriber number.

Landline Number: 011 82 2 1234 56XX (Calling South Korea from the US)

Here,

• 011 – US exit code
• 82 – South Korea country code
• 2 – Seoul area code
• 1234 56XX – Subscriber’s landline number

Mobile Number: 011 82 10 3321 78XX

Here,

• 011 – US exit code
• 82 – South Korea country code
• 10 – Mobile prefix
• 3321 78XX – Subscriber’s mobile number

Toll-Free Number: 011 82 80 674 12XX

Here,

• 011 – US exit code
• 82 – South Korea country code
• 80 – Toll-free prefix
• 674 12XX – Subscriber’s number

South Korea provides dedicated short codes for emergency and essential services that work nationwide. These numbers are typically 3 to 4 digits long. They can be dialed directly from landlines and mobile phones within the country without using an area code, allowing quick access to emergency services like police, medical, and public assistance services.

Before calling South Korea from abroad, it’s essential to consider time zone differences, international calling costs, and the correct phone number format to ensure the call connects at the right time without any errors.

South Korea operates on Korea Standard Time (KST), UTC+9. This can create a significant time difference for callers in many parts of the world. For example, callers in the United States may face a 14–17 hour difference from their time zone. It’s important to consider the time differences to ensure your call reaches at a convenient time for the recipient.

International calls to South Korea can be expensive when made through traditional mobile or landline carriers. Rates vary by provider and are often higher, especially when calling mobile numbers. Checking your carrier’s international calling rates in advance can help prevent unexpected charges.

For affordable options, consider social media apps or virtual phone numbers, which allow you to make calls over the internet at significantly lower rates or even for free.

Using the correct phone number format is essential when calling South Korea from abroad. When dialing internationally, the domestic trunk code (0) must be removed and replaced with the country code 82.

Misplacing digits is a common reason calls fail, so always double-check the complete number format before dialing.

South Korean phone numbers follow a standardized structure for landlines, mobile phones, and toll-free services. Using the correct combination of country code, area code or mobile prefix, and subscriber number is essential to ensure your call connects successfully, whether you’re dialing locally or from abroad.

For individuals and businesses that frequently communicate with contacts in South Korea, traditional international calling methods can be costly and inconvenient. Using a virtual phone number offers a more flexible and affordable alternative. With Calilio, you can access virtual numbers from over 100 countries, benefit from low international calling rates, and manage calls easily using built-in features, all starting at just $15 per user per month.