How To Call Korea From US

How To Call Korea From US

Quick Reference Summary

To call South Korea from the US:

011 + 82 + Area Code (without leading 0) + Local Number

Examples:

  • For Seoul landline: 011 + 82 + 2 + XXXX XXXX
  • For Korea mobile phone: 011 + 82 + 10 + XXXX XXXX

When it’s 12 PM (noon) in New York, it’s 1 AM next day in Seoul (13 hours ahead).

Complete Dialing Protocol

Calling South Korea (officially the Republic of Korea) from the United States requires understanding the Korean numbering system, which has some distinct characteristics compared to the US system.

Korean Phone Number Structure

South Korean phone numbers consist of an area code followed by a local number, with the total length varying slightly based on the region and type of service:

  • Landlines: Area code (1-2 digits) + local number (7-8 digits)
  • Mobile phones: Mobile prefix (10) + 8 digits

Within Korea, area codes are always preceded by a leading zero (0), but this zero is omitted when dialing from international locations.

Step-by-Step Dialing Instructions

  1. Dial the US exit code: 011
  2. Dial the South Korea country code: 82
  3. For landlines: Dial the area code (without the leading 0) followed by the local number
  4. For mobile phones: Dial 10 (without the leading 0) followed by the 8-digit mobile number

For example, if a Seoul landline number is written as (02) 1234-5678 in the local format, you would dial 011-82-2-1234-5678 from the US. Similarly, if a Korean mobile number is written as 010-1234-5678, you would dial 011-82-10-1234-5678.

Special Considerations

Korean phone numbers are often written with hyphens for readability (e.g., 02-1234-5678 for landlines or 010-1234-5678 for mobile phones), but you don’t need to dial these hyphens.

All South Korean mobile numbers now start with “010” regardless of the service provider. Older mobile prefixes like 011, 016, 017, 018, and 019 have been phased out or merged into the 010 prefix.

Regional Analysis: South Korean Area Codes

South Korea has a well-organized system of geographic area codes for different cities and regions.

Major Cities and Their Area Codes

When calling South Korea from the US, you’ll need to dial: 011 (US exit code) + 82 (South Korea country code) + Area Code (without the leading 0) + Local Number. Below is a comprehensive list of all area codes in South Korea, organized by region.

Metropolitan Cities

City Area Code (without leading 0)
Seoul 2
Busan 51
Daegu 53
Incheon 32
Gwangju 62
Daejeon 42
Ulsan 52
Sejong 44

Gyeonggi Province (경기도)

Region Area Code (without leading 0)
Northern Gyeonggi 31
Southern Gyeonggi 31
Suwon 31
Seongnam 31
Goyang 31
Yongin 31
Bucheon 32
Ansan 31
Anyang 31
Namyangju 31
Hwaseong 31
Pyeongtaek 31
Uijeongbu 31
Siheung 31
Paju 31
Gwangmyeong 2
Gimpo 31
Gwangju (Gyeonggi) 31
Icheon 31
Yangju 31

Gangwon Province (강원도)

Region Area Code (without leading 0)
Chuncheon 33
Wonju 33
Gangneung 33
Donghae 33
Taebaek 33
Sokcho 33
Samcheok 33
Hongcheon 33
Hoengseong 33
Yeongwol 33
Pyeongchang 33
Jeongseon 33
Cheorwon 33
Hwacheon 33
Yanggu 33
Inje 33
Goseong 33
Yangyang 33

North Chungcheong Province (충청북도)

Region Area Code (without leading 0)
Cheongju 43
Chungju 43
Jecheon 43
Boeun 43
Okcheon 43
Yeongdong 43
Jeungpyeong 43
Jincheon 43
Goesan 43
Eumseong 43
Danyang 43

South Chungcheong Province (충청남도)

Region Area Code (without leading 0)
Cheonan 41
Asan 41
Seosan 41
Nonsan 41
Boryeong 41
Gongju 41
Dangjin 41
Geumsan 41
Buyeo 41
Seocheon 41
Cheongyang 41
Hongseong 41
Yesan 41
Taean 41

North Jeolla Province (전라북도)

Region Area Code (without leading 0)
Jeonju 63
Iksan 63
Gunsan 63
Jeongeup 63
Namwon 63
Gimje 63
Wanju 63
Imsil 63
Sunchang 63
Gochang 63
Buan 63
Muju 63
Jangsu 63
Jinan 63

South Jeolla Province (전라남도)

Region Area Code (without leading 0)
Mokpo 61
Yeosu 61
Suncheon 61
Gwangyang 61
Naju 61
Damyang 61
Gokseong 61
Gurye 61
Goheung 61
Boseong 61
Hwasun 61
Jangheung 61
Gangjin 61
Haenam 61
Yeongam 61
Muan 61
Hampyeong 61
Yeonggwang 61
Jangseong 61
Wando 61
Jindo 61
Sinan 61

North Gyeongsang Province (경상북도)

Region Area Code (without leading 0)
Pohang 54
Gyeongju 54
Gimcheon 54
Andong 54
Gumi 54
Yeongju 54
Yeongcheon 54
Sangju 54
Mungyeong 54
Gyeongsan 53
Gunwi 54
Uiseong 54
Cheongsong 54
Yeongyang 54
Yeongdeok 54
Chilgok 54
Seongju 54
Goryeong 54
Yecheon 54
Bonghwa 54
Uljin 54
Ulleung 54

South Gyeongsang Province (경상남도)

Region Area Code (without leading 0)
Changwon 55
Jinju 55
Gimhae 55
Yangsan 55
Geoje 55
Tongyeong 55
Sacheon 55
Miryang 55
Uiryeong 55
Haman 55
Changnyeong 55
Goseong 55
Namhae 55
Hadong 55
Sancheong 55
Hamyang 55
Geochang 55
Hapcheon 55

Jeju Special Self-Governing Province (제주특별자치도)

Region Area Code (without leading 0)
Jeju City 64
Seogwipo 64

Special Number Prefixes

Type Prefix (without leading 0)
Mobile phones 10 (all carriers)
VoIP services 70
Toll-free numbers 80
Premium rate services 60

Note: When calling from the US to South Korea, remember to remove the leading zero from area codes and mobile prefixes. All mobile numbers in South Korea now use the 010 prefix (dialed as 82-10 from abroad), regardless of carrier.

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  3. Dial the Korean number following the format above (82 + area code + local number)

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