eSIM cards are the newest and most convenient way to get data and calls while visiting South Korea. Using an eSIM in Korea will help you stay connected right from the moment you arrive, so you can start your exploration in this country right away. This beginner’s guide will teach you everything you need to know about using an eSIM for South Korea. Here you will learn:
In this article
An eSIM is an electronic or “embedded” SIM card stored on your phone instead of a physical nano-SIM card. It works like a physical SIM Card, allowing travelers to access mobile data, calls and text services without the need of swapping or inserting a SIM Card. The major difference is eSIMs are directly downloaded and activated on your phone.
For South Korea travel, an eSIM lets you access a Korean data plan and possibly phone number remotely. This means you can set up cell phone service before you even land in South Korea.
Note:
There are 02 common types of eSIM plans for South Korea: data-only and data + voice and text plans.
The former is preferred by most travelers while the latter is chosen by businessmen who need to make analog phone calls or send SMSs.
Usually, when traveling to Korea, tourists often cope with the problem of buying a local SIM card so as to connect to mobile networks. But, this is a time-consuming process because it requires effort and time to find a trusted provider, buy the SIM card, register personal information and activate the SIM.
Using an eSIM card for South Korea will not require you to do anything of the above.
Below are the most appreciated benefits of eSIM by travelers:
So in short – eSIM cards make getting connected in South Korea incredibly convenient!
Now, you should review a checklist of factors to consider before purchasing an eSIM for South Korea.
Before getting an South Korea eSIM, consider the following factors to ensure that you pick the right eSIM plan:
Pro Tip:
Before installing the South Korea eSIM onto your cell phone, review this checklist:
Completing this checklist sets you up for smooth sailing!
Purchasing your South Korea eSIM is quick and easy:
Pro Tip: Be sure to download this eSIM profile to store locally as a backup.
Time needed: less than 10 minutes
To install an eSIM for South Korea, you need to go through 2 phases: before departure and after arrival in South Korea.
Note: if you cannot scan the QR code sent by your eSIM provider because of certain reasons, you can still activate the eSIM manually by entering the information attached in the email.
Installing a South Korea eSIM on Android devices like Samsung and Google Pixel phones follows a similar process to iOS.
Note: if you cannot scan the QR code sent by your eSIM provider because of certain reasons, you can still activate the eSIM manually by entering the information attached in the email.
South Korea has 03 major mobile internet providers which are SK Telecom, KT, LG Uplus. All three carriers have eSIM services for tourists to South Korea.
Generally, the coverage in big cities of South Korea like Seoul and Busan is excellent, even you can expect to get 5G in some areas. However, it is wise for tourists to evaluate the network performance when visiting more rural areas of the country away from urban centers.
To know which carrier to choose for your eSIM plan, take a look at our quick recap of each carrier:
| Carrier | SK Telecom | KT | LG Uplus |
| Service options | Leading service provider, part of SK Group | State-owned, offers a range of telecom services | Competitive telecom services |
| Coverage | Wide 4G/LTE coverage | Good nationwide 4G/LTE coverage | 4G/LTE focused on big cities |
| Speed | Fast speeds in cities(download 5G speed: Highest at 469.6 MbpsUpload 5G speed: 19.0 Mbps) | Reliable speeds and performance | Moderate speeds and coverage(download 5G speed: Second highest at 429.6 Mbps;Upload speed 5G speed: Highest at 19.7 Mbps) |
| eSIM plans | eSIM for tourists has limited data | Competitively priced tourist eSIM plans | Don’t offer specific tourist eSIM plans |
| Price | Mid-range pricing | Budget friendly | Least expensive carrier overall |
| Expat Accessibility | Same, potential upfront costs | Requires Alien Registration Card, passport | Same, potentially easier for short-term stays |
From the table above, we can see that KT has the best combination of nationwide coverage, speed, tourist plan options and reasonable pricing. SK Telecom also provides good coverage and speeds but is more expensive. LG Uplus has limitations for travelers needing nationwide use.
► Our Recommendation: You can choose between KT and SK Telecom as the network carrier for your eSIM plan.
Yes – eSIM technology has become very mainstream around the world, including most major travel destinations. South Korea’s networks fully support eSIM capabilities.
All three major Korean carriers (KT, SK Telecom and LG U+) allow eSIM activation on iPhone and Android devices. You’ll get the same solid coverage and speeds as local Korean SIM cards.
Definitely! An unused eSIM doesn’t expire so you can save it for future trips. Just download a new activation packet when traveling somewhere new.
An eSIM profile can only be installed on one device at a time. When you download an eSIM profile, it is uniquely linked to that specific device. There is no way to transfer an already downloaded eSIM profile from its original device over to a new device.
Unfortunately no. eSIM networks only operate in South Korea at this time.
Generally excellent as South Korea has countrywide 4G/LTE networks. But always check carrier coverage maps if planning remote travel.
Activating an electronic SIM card is easy with this guide. eSIMs make getting online abroad convenient and hassle-free. Simply download a South Korean data plan remotely, finish setup when arriving, and enjoy seamless connectivity throughout your trip!
With prepaid eSIMs, you can avoid roaming fees, tedious SIM card swaps, and give your regular SIM a break. Have an incredible and connected journey in South Korea!
South Korea is one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world when it comes to internet connectivity and mobile technology. This blog post will provide an in-depth look at mobile internet coverage, speeds, connectivity options for tourists, internet rates, SIM cards, and eSIMs in South Korea. I. Mobile Internet in South Korea – […]
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