– Only domestic calls are available.
– Local calls, long distance calls and calls to mobile phones are available.
– The rate for local calls is 70 won per three minutes.
– You need to dial the number after inserting coins.
Phones operated by phone cards
– For this kind of phone, you may use phone cards, credit cards and IC cards.
– Local calls, long distance calls, calls to mobile phones and international calls are available.
– Phone cards are available in 2,000, 3,000, 5,000 and 10,000 won denominations.
– Phone cards are available for purchase at newsstands or banks.
Phones operated by
phone cards and coins
– International calls are available.
– The rate for local calls is 70 won per three minutes.
– To use an international collect call service, press the emergency button and 00799. You will be connected with a telephone operator.
– You can also use credit cards for this type of phone.
※When youmake long-distance calls, insert coins or cards and then press the area code and phone numbers.
International calls
When you make international calls, press the number of the phone service provider, country code, area code and
phone numbers.
KT
LG Daicom
Onse Telecom
SK Telink
Number
001
002
00365
00700
Major country codes
Algeria 213
Japan 81
New Zealand 64
Guam 1
Andorra 376
Kuwait 965
Norway 47
Saudi Arabia 966
Argentina 54
Libya 218
Pakistan 92
Singapore 65
Australia 61
Macao 853
Philippines 63
South Africa 27
Austria 43
Brazil 55
Poland 48
Spain 34
Bahrain 973
Brunei 673
Portugal 351
Sri Lanka 94
Bangladesh 880
Bulgaria 359
Romania 40
Sweden 46
Belgium 32
Canada 1
Russia 7
Switzerland 41
Hong Kong 852
Chile 56
Saipan 670
Taiwan 886
Hunggary 36
China 86
Denmark 45
Thailand 66
India 91
Columbia 57
Egypt 20
Turkey 90
Iran 98
Malaysia 60
Finland 358
United Kingdom 44
Iraq 964
Mexico 52
France 33
U.S.A 1
Ireland 353
Myanmar 95
Germany 49
Venezuela 58
Italy 39
Netherlands 31
Greece 30
-
(e.g.) When you call your friend living in New York, dial the numbers in the following order.
international call code (001) + country code (1) + area code (212) + phone no. (123-4567)
※Like other countries, pre-paid phone cards are often used in Korea. Prepaid phone cards are widely used because of the quality of phone calls and reasonable prices. You can buy prepaid international phone cards at a convenience store or online shopping mall. For more information, call the following number (Tel. 82-2- 416-0405)
or visit www.cardstation.net [K, E]
Comparison Rates for International Calls
● (Ex) KT 001 (As of 2007)
Countries
Standard Rates
(up to 60cm)
Discount Rates
(up to 80cm)
per second (won)
per second (won)
Japan
11.6
10.4
China
16.5
14.9
Vietnam
22.1
19.9
Hong Kong
16.3
14.7
Singapore
16.3
14.7
Taiwan
16.0
14.4
Indonesia
18.1
16.3
The Philippines
18.8
16.9
Malaysia
17.2
15.5
Thailand
19.1
17.2
Mongolia
14.6
13.1
USA
4.7
4.2
Canada
21.5
19.4
Alaska, Hawaii
11.0
9.9
25 countries in North
America and Oceania
19.7
17.7
Australia
18.1
16.3
New Zealand
17.7
15.9
England
16.8
15.1
FranceFrance
15.8
14.2
Germany
15.8
14.2
Italy
15.8
14.2
Russia
30.5
27.5
Pakistan
35.1
31.6
Bangladesh
32.5
29.3
India
32.5
29.3
Iran
24.8
22.3
Saudi Arabia
24.8
22.3
Middle East,
Southwest Asia
24.8
22.3
Brazil
25.2
22.7
Argentina
25.2
22.7
Mexico
25.2
22.7
South America
25.2
22.7
Africa
24.7
22.2
applicable hours
Mondays thru Fridays
06:00~24:00
00:00~06:00
Holidays
-
00:00~24:00
● (Ex) LG Daicom 002 (As of 2007)
Countries
Standard Rates
(up to 60cm)
Discount Rates
(up to 80cm)
per second (won)
per second (won)
Japan
11.3
10.2
China
16.6
14.9
Vietnam
22.1
19.9
Hong Kong
16.3
14.7
Singapore
16.3
14.7
Taiwan
15.8
14.2
Indonesia
18
16.2
The Philippines
18.8
16.9
Malaysia
17.2
15.5
Thailand
19.1
17.2
Mongolia
14.6
13.1
USA
4.8
4.3
Canada
21.6
19.4
Alaska, Hawaii
10.9
9.8
25 countries in North
America and Oceania
19.6
17.6
Australia
18.1
16.3
New Zealand
17.6
15.8
England
16.6
14.9
FranceFrance
15.7
14.1
Germany
15.7
14.1
Italy
15.7
14.1
Russia
30.1
27.1
Pakistan
35.1
31.6
Bangladesh
32.5
29.3
India
32.5
29.3
Iran
24.6
22.1
Saudi Arabia
24.6
22.1
Middle East,
Southwest Asia
24.8
22.3
Brazil
25
22.5
Argentina
25
22.5
Mexico
25
22.5
South America
24.5
22.1
Africa
24.5
22.1
applicable hours
Mondays thru Fridays
06:00~24:00
00:00~06:00
Holidays
-
00:00~24:00
Telephone installation services
To install a telephone line in a home or an office, call 100 without the area code. Once you call the number, the telephone company in the area of your residence will install a phone line for you. For phone installation, a foreigner needs the passport and a copy of his/her foreign registration card. Monthly basic charge is 5,200 won. In addition to the monthly fee, you should pay 60,000 won for signup (including installation). The steps for installing a fax machine are the same as for a telephone installation. To use the fax machine, you need to connect it with your phone.
2
Banking
Opening an account
A foreigner can open a bank account by visiting a bank whether he/she resides in Korea or not. A residing foreigner refers to an individual who stays in Korea for more than 6 months while a non-residing foreigner refers to a person who stays in Korea for less than 6months.
Tax & Interest Rates
- For residing foreigner: Korean regulations are applied for the foreigner’s tax and interest rates.
- For non-residing foreigner: the tax rates are affected by regulations of the foreigner’s country whereas interest rates are affected by Korean regulations.
Transfer
When you want to send money overseas, you can transfer money at a bank. Through designated foreign exchange banks, you can transfer up to $ 50,000 (remit + exchange) a year, and if you have a document showing how the money was acquired, then you can transfer any amount within the range of income. Different banks have different fees and restrictions on transfers, so it is recommended you compare information at different banks.
Required Documents
Passport, Alien Registration Card, certificate of earned income (when applicable)
When you transfer money to an overseas bank account
It is convenient and fast to transfer money through telegraphic transfer. For the transfer, you need to write down the name of the recipient, address, account number, the name of bank, and other pertinent information in English.
Exchange of money
If you have a passport, you can easily exchange foreign money or traveler’s checks for Korean money at Korean banks, including the Korean Exchange Bank and the change booths at the airport. You can exchange up to $10,000 (for one entry) at a time. The foreign exchange rates are not fixed and change depending on economic factors.
For More Information
The Exchange Rate ARS Service:
Tel. 82-2-1544-3000(#3)
Tel. 82-2-1588-3500(#3)
Credit cards
Qualification for Issuance
Credit card companies issue credit cards to those that meet requirements for issuance of a credit card. So if you don’t have a good credit record, your request for the issuance of a credit card might be rejected.
How to Issue Credit Card and Required Documents
A foreigner who intends to receive a credit card needs to find out various benefits and services offered by credit card companies or banks and can sign up for one through the credit card company’s website or by visiting a bank or
an office of a credit card company. Required documents for the sign-up include application form with your photo, foreign registration card, the document verifying your income. However, different banks or credit card companies may require different documents.
Annual Membership Fee (As of 2007)
Annual membership fee is a fee charged for the issuance of the credit card and various services offered by the credit card company. Annual membership fee is charged every year starting with the month of issuance. Annual membership fee is divided into basic annual membership fee and affiliated service fees (except for family card and corporation card). Basic annual membership fee is charged once a year regardless of the number of cards you have. Affiliated service fees are charged for the different cards you have.
You can mail letters, postcards and little parcels by putting them in a mailbox on the street or by visiting a post office in your neighborhood. You should go to the post office when using nonstandard envelopes or postcards. You need to write down the zip code when you send a letter or a package. Post offices, DHL, Federal Express, UPS, Hanjin Shipping Company, and EMS provide shipping services.
Domestic postal service
National zip code directories are available at post offices. You can use domestic postal services by writing down the recipient’s zip code and attaching stamps for regular mail or express mail. When you choose registered mail, you can receive a receipt. Registered mail is more expensive than regular mail. However, the process of the delivery of registered mail is recorded, so it is possible to track the mail. The hours of most post offices are 9 am to 6 pm, Monday through Friday, but some post offices are open until 8 pm, and some are open even on Saturdays.
For more information on rates, fees, zip codes, compensation for damages, and so forth, contact the following number. (Tel. 1588-1300)
● General Postage Rates (As of 2007)
Content
Weight
Standard mail rates
General mail
Standard mail
up to 5g
220 won
5g~ 25g
250 won
25g~50g
270 won
Non-standard mail
up to 50g
340 won
above 50g
120 won
Overseas postal service
For overseas mail, a direct visit to a post office is mandatory. Express Mail Service provides the fastest and safest international postal service that delivers urgent letters, documents and packages. EMS is operated by the Korea Post under special agreements with reliable, overseas postal counterparts. Before sending your mail, make sure to write down the address and names of senders and recipients, phone numbers and the contents, numbers and costs of items. Rates vary depending on the kind of mail and its weight, so you need to check the information through homepages or the post office’s window. After sending your mail through EMS, air mail and registered mail, you can check out the status of delivery through the customer service center for international mail in the post office’s call center.When you call in Korea, use the following number (Tel. 02-2108-0050~60). If you’re calling from outside Korea, dial the following number (Tel. 02-2108-0051~0059)
● Transmissible and Non-transmissible items for Overseas Mail
Transmissible items
Non-transmissible items
● Official Communications
● Commercial Papers
● Computer Data
● Check Clearances
● Business Samples
● Magnetic Tape
● Microfilm
● Merchandise (some countries may prohibit
● sending certain merchandises.)
● Coins and Bank Notes
● Money Remittances
● Negotiable Articles
● Prohibited Articles
● Items that are dangerous to handle or can destroy or contaminate other items.
● Flammable or explosive materials or dangerous materials (paint, ink, etc.)
● Obscene or indecent items
● Processed or unprocessed gold, silver, platinum, gems and other valuables
● Items that are prohibited at the receiving country
● Easily perishable foods
● Animals and plants
Door-to-door delivery
Door-to-door delivery refers to a service directly delivered to a recipient. It is more costly, but safer and faster than regular mail. Because senders leave the receiver’s contact information, it is less likely to lose the delivered items. With a call, an employee of a door-to-door delivery company visits your place and delivers various items including documents, parcels and heavy goods on the next day of receiving the items anywhere in the nation (On holidays or in certain areas including islands or mountainous areas, the delivery might be delayed for one or two more days). Other than calling, you can make a reservation through the homepage of the doorto- door delivery company. For the post office door-to-door delivery service, you can visit a post officeandsignup for the service.
Rates for the door-to-door service vary depending on the receiver’s area, the kind and size of the items and the number of items. You can verify this information on the homepage of the door-to-door delivery company.
- The post office door-to-door delivery service delivers the items the next day and items sent to Jeju-do by sea are delivered in two days.
- The size refers to the sum of width, length, and height. If any of these exceeds the standard, you should pay additional charges.
- The same delivery area refers to Si or Do where receipt and delivery of items were made and other areas and Jeju-do are separated from the same delivery areas. The delivery areas are divided into nine areas (Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi / Busan, Ulsan, Gyeongnam / Daejeong, Chungnam/Chungbuk /Gwangju, Jeonnam / Daegu, Gyeongbuk / Jeonbuk/Gwangwon/Jeju)
- For the Jeju area, receipt of delivery items is made in Jeju-do and the rates of Jeju are applied to the delivery items sent to other areas. For the items sent from other areas, the rates are applied depending on the delivery area.
- Additional fees for a registered package might be charged.
● (Ex) Basic rates for post office door-to-door delivery service (As of 2007)
Weight (size)
up to 2kg
(up to 60cm)
up to 5kg
(up to 80cm)
up to 10kg
(up to 120cm)
up to 20kg
(up to 140cm)
up to 30kg
(up to 160cm)
Post office
door-to-door
delivery
Within the
same area
4,000 won
5,000 won
6,000 won
7,000 won
7,000 won
Other areas
5,000 won
6,000 won
7,000 won
8,000 won
9,000 won
Delivery to
Jeju by air
6,000 won
7,000 won
8,000 won
9,000 won
11,000 won
Delivery to
Jeju by sea
5,000 won
6,000 won
7,000 won
8,000 won
9,000 won
Quick service
Quick service is faster than door-to-door delivery service. Quick service delivers items to the recipient within 24 hours by a motorcycle or car. Many quick services are available through the internet and operate 24 hours, all year round. You can pay for the service through various payment methods such as cash, credit cards, money transfer or cell phones.
Rates for quick service are different depending on the distance between the place of origin and the place of receipt of the item, and the size of items. Investigate this information in advance on the websites of quick service companies.
High speed internet has spread rapidly in Korea, one of the world`s most internet savvy countries.
High speed internet services are available in many homes. There are three major companies offering high speed internet services: KT Megapass, LG Powercom and Hana Fos. If you call the numbers for registration consultation or register for internet services after signing up for membership online, an installation technician will visit you to install internet services.
To use an internet service, you need wired equipment for wired internet service and wireless equipment for wireless internet service. Initial cost for installment is 30,000 won and monthly service charges range from 25,500 to 30,000 won (VAT excluded). However, service charges vary depending on internet service providers and different products. In general, there are 1 to 3-year contract periods. Discount rates are applied, depending on the period of your contract.
If you cancel the internet service within the term of your contract or shorten the period of your contract, you should return the discounted amount you have received during the duration of your contract. You should also pay the rental fees for modem and AP.
Installation fees are exempted if
contract is set for longer than 1 year
Transfer to different
gu 10,000 won
Transfer within the same gu
10,000 won
30,000 won (for a new
10,000 won sign-up without contract)
Charges for IP use
Addition of moving IP
15,000 won per each IP (up to 3 IPs)
Addition of a terminal
5,000 won per each terminal (up to 3 terminals)
(Ex) LG Powercom (As of 2008, XPEED Prime)
(VAT excluded)
Term of Contract
No Contract
One-Year Contract
Two-Year Contract
Three-Year Contract
Service charge
29,500 won
28,025 won
26,550 won
25,000 won
Modem rental fees
7,000 won/mo
4,500won/mo
4,000won/mo
3,000won/mo
AP rental fees
10,000 won/mo
7,000 won/mo
6,000 won/mo
5,000 won/mo
Installation
fees
New member
30,000 won
Transfer to different building
20,000 won
Transfer within the same building
10,000 won
Charges for
IP use
12,000 won/mo (Up to 3 terminals)
Internet café (PC bang)
Throughout Seoul, there are many places where you can use the internet, thus it is easy to find one in your neighborhood. These places are called PC bang, a Korean word for internet cafe and include thewords such as `cyber,` `net,` and internet plaza in their names. When you need to use the internet to check your e-mail, surf the web, or work on or print documents, go to a PC bang in your neighborhood. You can use the internet at a reasonable price. Hourly rates are between 1,000 and 1,500won. If you havemembership or go to the PCbang during nighttime hours, it is cheaper to use the internet.
Cable TV
Cable TV is a means of communication that combines broadcasting and telecommunication and provides multi-channels relating to a variety of specialized fields of broadcasting. Depending on their needs, viewers can choose from many specialized channels, including movies, dramas, sports/games, news/information, entertainment, regional access/TV guide, home shopping, children, music, hobby/living, culture/documentary, women/family, education /public access and religion. In addition, viewers can watch not only territorial broadcasting, but also overseas satellite TV programs from America, Japan, China and Europe. Recently, cable TV providers offer additional services including high speed internet service. A foreigner who wants to sign up for cable TV service needs to provide his or her name, contact information, address, Alien Registration Card, and a bank account for automatic money transfer. (For money transfer by giro, a copy of one`s passport will be required.) Required documents may be different for each cable service company, so you should make inquiries at your local cable TV provider. You can contact the Korean Cable TV Association for phone numbers of each local cable service provider.
http://www.kcta.or.kr [K, E]
Tel. 080-398-3355
Rates are different depending on services and you should pay for installation and equipment additionally.
Satellite broadcasting refers to broadcasting TV programs and PCM programs using a BS (broadcasting satellite), which is located about 35,784km above the earth. Through satellite broadcasting, viewers can watch channels from all over the world, which are not available on territorial broadcasting. You can also videotape your favorite programs andwatch them later.
SkyLife is a representative satellite TV provider in Korea. It is a multi-channel digital satellite broadcast station that provides high definition screens and high quality sound based on digital technology, hundreds of channels, simultaneous broadcasting of the same quality programs throughout the nation, data broadcasting services through interactive communication and specialized audio channel services. For instance, interactive TV service indicates that viewers choose information through TV and remote controls. There are two kinds of interactive TV services: independent interactive services and connected interactive services. Independent interactive services are similar to web services and viewers choose information they want from the TV. Through connected interactive services, viewers can watch TV and see the synopsis of dramas or buy clothes of main characters in the dramas.
A foreigner can sign up for SkyLife services by calling the Skylife`s customer service center (Tel.1588-3002) or through registration consultation. Or if you leave a message via the following e-mail address (english@skylife.co.kr), the company will contact you. To watch satellite programs, you need an antenna, receiver, Smart Card and remote controls. The Skylife`s staff will install this equipment. Monthly rates vary depending on satellite TV providers, products and the term of your contract. In addition to the monthly rates, you need to pay for the receiver, antenna and installation.
It is not recommended that foreigners sign up for a three-year contract as it is unlikely they will stay in Korea for a long time. SkyFamily package is recommended for foreigners because customers using the SkyFamily service can cancel it any time and do not need to pay any fees on cancellations. In addition, it is advisable not to add Sky Touch service because all information of the service is available only in Korean.
There are a great number of newspapers and magazines in Korea, including dailies, weeklies and monthlies. You can get newspapers or magazines through a one-year subscription but you can also buy them at newsstands around bus stops or subway stations and 24-hour convenience stores and bookstores. In addition, many media companies offer updated news and information online. You should pay for hard copies of newspapers and magazines, but you can get information online free of charge. English-language newspapers in Korea include the Joongang Daily, Korea Times and Korea Herald. Seoul is a monthly magazine on Korean culture and tourism.
Korea`s three major broadcast stations include KBS, MBC and SBS. Each broadcast station has broadened the scope of broadcasting through territorial broadcasting, radio programming, cable, satellite programming, the internet and DMB. In particular, the development of internet homepages has enabled viewers to watch programs again. In addition, more programs have included viewers` opinions or information in the programs.
Arirang TV is an English-language broadcast station that provides news and information on Korea. All TV and radio programs of the broadcast station are available in English. AFN (1530 AM, 102.7 FM) is a 24-hour Englishlanguage radio station.