Mobile phones
Mobile phones and relevant services are a widely used form of communication in Korea. The wireless device, dubbed “hand phone”, is widely available. Many individuals use mobile phones for basic phone calls, text messaging services, and even watching television and listening to the radio through the DMB service.
Korean mobile phones utilize CDMA technology. Mobiles brought from abroad that use different network systems, such as GSM, will not work here. Foreign SIM cards will also not function. Foreign residents here can purchase mobile phones on a monthly payment plan at almost any electronics or mobile phone shop. Alien registration cards and Korean bank account numbers must be shown. A registration fee is also generally required for new accounts.
For more information you may contact the mobile phone companies below.
LG Telecom
- Tel. 82-1544-0010 (press # for an English Service) Or simply visit the LG Telecom registration desk at the Seoul Global Center.
- http://www.lgtelecom.com/jsp/eng/corporate_data.jsp
SK Telecom
- Tel. 82-80-2525-0111 (English representative)
- http://www.sktelecom.com/eng
KT
- Tel. 82-1588-0010 (press # and 0, then request an English representative)
- http://english.ktf.com/eng
Phone Cards
Korea Telecom (001)
ex) To call a person at 123-4567 in Tokyo, press 001 + 81 (country code) + 3 (Tokyo area code) + 123-4567 (personal phone no.)
LG Dacom (002)
ex) To call a person at 123-4567 in New York, press 002 (international call code) + 1 (country code) + 212 (New York area code) + 123-4567 (personal phone no.)
Onse (00365)
ex) To call a person at 123-4567 in China, press 00365 + 86 (country code) + 3 (area code) + 123-4567 (personal phone no.)
SK Telecom (00700) / serome (00770)
ex) To call, press (00700 or 00770) + country code + area code + personal phone no.
Phone Subscription Service Application
To set up one’s telephone services, call KT’s Customer Center at 100. When using a mobile phone to dial, callers must include the area code. Service in English is also available.To apply in person visit a KT branch office.
Phone address change
- Phone address relocation : When moving to a new location, you should visit the KT branch, or telephone services office, nearest to your new address to either keep or change your existing phone number.
- Relocation within the same area : If you move to another place within the same city or county, you can keep your initial number by applying for the phone number retention service, which costs 4,000 won. Making a move within the same building, excluding apartments, will not require a change of phone number.
Phone number change
- Phone numbers can be changed if you are receiving threatening or nuisance calls. A number change will be required if you move to an area that is not within the jurisdiction of your previous KT branch.
Service cancellation/suspension
- Service cancellation : Service can be canceled temporarily when you have to, for instance, make an overseas trip for a long period. To resume service, call 100 for the KT Customer Center. Temporary cancellations can be requested for up to one year. Beyond that, it would be better to terminate the number.
- Service suspension : Overdue payments may lead to the suspension of KT services. To continue the service, the subscriber must cover the overdue payments in full, and then request the resumption of services.
