South Korea Country Code (+82): 17 Area Codes & Troubleshooting (2026)
South Korea's country code is +82. 17 area codes, the 010 mobile format, KakaoTalk calling, and fixes when calls to Korea won't connect.
South Korea Country Code (+82): Complete Guide
Quick Answer
+82 is the country code for South Korea. It is not an area code: a number that starts with +82 (on WhatsApp, a missed call, or a text) is a South Korean number. To call it, dial +82 (011 82 from the US), then the number without its leading 0: +82 10 XXXX XXXX for a mobile, +82 2 XXXX XXXX for Seoul, +82 31 for Gyeonggi Province.
Below: how to dial South Korea step by step, the area codes for every province, the 010 mobile format, why some calls fail, and what calling South Korea costs.
How to Dial South Korea from Abroad
International Dialing Format
[Exit Code] + 82 + (Area Code) + Phone NumberStep 1: Dial Your Country's Exit Code
- Most countries: 00
- From USA/Canada: 011
- From mobile phones: + (plus sign) - works worldwide
Step 2: Dial "82" (South Korea Country Code)
After your exit code, always dial 82 for South Korea
Step 3: Dial the Area Code & Local Number
Remember to drop the leading '0' from area codes when dialing from abroad.
π Example: Calling Seoul
πΊπΈ From USA:
011 + 82 + 2 + local numberUS exit code (011) + South Korea code (82)
π± From Any Mobile:
+82 + 2 + local numberUse + instead of exit code (works everywhere)
Major South Korea Area Codes
| Area Code | Location |
|---|---|
| 2 | Seoul |
| 51 | Busan |
| 32 | Incheon |
| 53 | Daegu |
| 42 | Daejeon |
| 62 | Gwangju |
| 52 | Ulsan |
| 44 | Sejong |
| 31 | Gyeonggi Province (Suwon, Seongnam) |
| 33 | Gangwon State (Chuncheon, Gangneung) |
| 43 | North Chungcheong (Cheongju, Chungju) |
| 41 | South Chungcheong (Cheonan, Asan) |
| 54 | North Gyeongsang (Pohang, Gyeongju) |
| 55 | South Gyeongsang (Changwon, Jinju) |
| 61 | South Jeolla (Mokpo, Yeosu, Suncheon) |
| 63 | Jeonbuk State, formerly North Jeolla (Jeonju, Gunsan) |
| 64 | Jeju Island |
Mobile Numbers in South Korea
π± South Korea Mobile Number Format
South Korean mobile numbers start with 010 and have 11 digits locally (010-XXXX-XXXX). From abroad, drop the 0: +82 10 followed by 8 digits. The old 011, 016, 017, 018 and 019 prefixes are gone: they were tied to 2G networks, and the last of them (LG U+ 019) shut down in mid-2021.
+82 10 XXXX XXXXCountry Information
Cheapest Ways to Call South Korea
The cheapest way to call South Korea is free: KakaoTalk, WhatsApp or LINE calls cost nothing if the other person has the app. To reach a real phone number, Google Voice is the cheapest per minute ($0.02/min to landlines, $0.01/min to mobiles as of October 2026) but needs a US Google Voice account. BubblyPhone costs more ($0.075/min to 010 mobiles) and works in any browser with no app, Google account or US number.
1. BubblyPhone
Rate: $0.075/min to 010 mobiles, $0.08/min to most landlines, $0.13/min to Seoul (02) landlines, as of October 2026
Best For: Calling any South Korea number (business, landline, mobile)
- βNo subscription, no connection fee - billed per started minute
- βWorks from browser on any device (no app needed)
- βNo app, no Google account, no US number needed
2. KakaoTalk, WhatsApp, LINE
Rate: FREE
Best For: Calling friends and family who have the app
- βFree voice and video calls
- βBoth parties need the app installed
- βCannot call landlines or businesses
β οΈ Before you dial: check your own phone plan's international rate for South Korea. Pay-as-you-go international rates on regular plans are often far higher than app or internet calling rates, and some plans block international calls until you add an international option.
π§ Troubleshooting: Call to South Korea Not Connecting?
1. Including the Leading "0" in the Number
Problem: Dialing +82 02 1234 5678 instead of +82 2 1234 5678.
Fix: Drop the leading "0" from all Korean numbers when calling internationally. Seoul's domestic code is 02, but internationally it's just +82 2.
2. Confusing 010 Mobile Prefix
Problem: Dialing +82 010 1234 5678 (keeping the domestic "0" in the mobile prefix).
Fix: Korean mobile numbers are 010-XXXX-XXXX domestically. When calling from abroad, drop the leading "0": dial +82 10 XXXX XXXX.
3. VoIP Numbers (070) Not Connecting
Problem: Trying to call a Korean 070 (internet phone) number from abroad. Some 070 services do not accept calls coming from outside Korea.
Fix: Ask your contact for their mobile number (010) instead. If they only have a 070 number, use KakaoTalk or WhatsApp to reach them.
4. Korean Spam Call Blocking
Problem: Your call is being flagged as spam by Korean carriers or phone apps. South Korea has aggressive spam filtering, and unknown international numbers may be auto-blocked.
Fix: Let your contact know you'll be calling so they can whitelist your number or disable spam blocking temporarily. A KakaoTalk message before the call also helps them recognize it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the South Korea country code?
The South Korea country code is +82. You must dial this code before any South Korea phone number when calling from abroad.
How do I call South Korea from my mobile phone?
From any mobile phone worldwide, dial: +82 (area code) (phone number). The + symbol replaces your country's exit code.
What's the cheapest way to call South Korea?
Free app calls are cheapest: KakaoTalk, WhatsApp or LINE, if both of you have the app. For calls to a real phone number, Google Voice has the lowest per-minute rate ($0.02/min landlines, $0.01/min mobiles) but requires a US Google Voice account. BubblyPhone costs $0.075/min to 010 mobiles and works from any browser without an app, a Google account or a US number.
What time zone is South Korea in?
South Korea uses Korea Standard Time (KST, UTC+9). South Korea does not observe daylight saving time. KST is 14 hours ahead of US Eastern Time (13 hours during EDT).
Why is my call to South Korea not going through?
The most common reasons are: including the leading "0" in the number (drop it when calling internationally), trying to call a 070 VoIP number that can't receive international calls, or Korean spam filtering blocking your unknown international number. Sending a KakaoTalk message first often helps.
What is KakaoTalk and can I use it to call South Korea for free?
KakaoTalk is South Korea's dominant messaging app, used by over 90% of the population. You can make free voice and video calls to anyone with KakaoTalk installed. However, it only works app-to-app β to call Korean landlines or businesses, use BubblyPhone ($0.08/min to most landlines, $0.13/min to Seoul, as of October 2026).
How many digits is a South Korean phone number?
South Korean mobile numbers are 11 digits domestically (010-XXXX-XXXX) and 10 digits after +82. Landline numbers vary: Seoul uses area code 02 + 7 or 8 digits, while other regions use 3-digit area codes (031, 051 and so on) + 7 or 8 digits. When calling internationally, drop the leading "0" and add +82.
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