The 82 country code belongs to South Korea (Republic of Korea). Whether you're calling family in Seoul, conducting business with partners in Busan, or reaching friends anywhere in this dynamic nation, the +82 prefix connects you to over 51 million people in one of Asia's most technologically advanced countries.
Quick Answer: The country code +82 is for South Korea. Korean mobile numbers have 10-11 digits (without the leading 0) after +82. For example, a mobile number 010-1234-5678 would be dialed internationally as
+82 10 1234 5678.
How to Call South Korea: Quick Reference
The dialing format for South Korea varies depending on where you're calling from and what type of phone you're using. Here's a quick-reference table for countries with significant connections to South Korea.
| Calling From | Dialing Format |
|---|---|
| US/Canada Mobile | +82 [number without leading 0] |
| US/Canada Landline | 011-82-[number without leading 0] |
| United Kingdom (UK) | 00-82-[number without leading 0] |
| Australia | 0011-82-[number without leading 0] |
| Japan | 010-82-[number without leading 0] |
| China | 00-82-[number without leading 0] |
Important: South Korea uses a trunk prefix (0) for domestic calls. When dialing from abroad, you must drop the leading 0 from the number.
Understanding South Korean Phone Numbers
South Korean phone numbers have a specific structure that you need to understand for successful international calls. The key rule is to always drop the leading 0 when calling from outside South Korea.
Mobile Numbers
South Korean mobile numbers follow a consistent format:
- Length: 10-11 digits domestically (including the 0), or 9-10 digits internationally after +82.
- Starting Digits: Mobile numbers start with 010 (most common), or older prefixes like 011, 016, 017, 018, 019.
- Format: 010-XXXX-XXXX (domestic) or +82 10 XXXX XXXX (international).
- Example: 010-1234-5678 becomes
+82 10 1234 5678internationally.
Landline Numbers (Fixed Line)
South Korean landlines use area codes of varying lengths:
- Structure: 0 + area code + local number (domestic) or area code + local number (international).
- Seoul: Uses area code 02 with 7-8 digit local numbers.
- Other Cities: Use 3-digit area codes (e.g., Busan 051) with 7-8 digit local numbers.
- Total Length: 9-10 digits including area code.
- Example: Seoul number 02-1234-5678 becomes
+82 2 1234 5678internationally.
South Korea Area Codes Reference Table
South Korea uses geographic area codes for landline numbers. Here are the area codes for major South Korean cities:
| City | Area Code | International Format |
|---|---|---|
| Seoul | 2 | +82 2 XXXX XXXX |
| Busan | 51 | +82 51 XXX XXXX |
| Incheon | 32 | +82 32 XXX XXXX |
| Daegu | 53 | +82 53 XXX XXXX |
| Daejeon | 42 | +82 42 XXX XXXX |
| Gwangju | 62 | +82 62 XXX XXXX |
| Ulsan | 52 | +82 52 XXX XXXX |
| Suwon / Gyeonggi | 31 | +82 31 XXX XXXX |
| Jeju | 64 | +82 64 XXX XXXX |
| Sejong | 44 | +82 44 XXX XXXX |
Note: Always drop the leading 0 from the area code when dialing internationally. Seoul's 02 becomes just 2.
Mobile vs. Landline: How to Tell the Difference
You can tell whether a South Korean number is mobile or landline by the prefix:
- 010, 011, 016, 017, 018, 019: Always a mobile number.
- 02: Seoul landline.
- Other 0XX prefixes: Regional landline numbers.
- 070: Internet phone (VoIP) number.
- 080: Toll-free number.
This distinction matters because calling rates to mobile and landline numbers may differ with your service provider.
Dialing Examples
Here are practical examples for calling different types of South Korean numbers from various locations:
Example 1: Calling a Seoul Landline from the US
- Korean Number: 02-1234-5678 (Seoul area code 02)
- From a US Mobile:
+82 2 1234 5678 - From a US Landline:
011 82 2 1234 5678
Example 2: Calling a Korean Mobile from the US
- Korean Number: 010-9876-5432
- From a US Mobile:
+82 10 9876 5432 - From a US Landline:
011 82 10 9876 5432
Example 3: Calling a Busan Landline from the UK
- Korean Number: 051-123-4567 (Busan area code 051)
- From the UK:
00 82 51 123 4567
Example 4: Calling from Australia
- Korean Number: 010-1234-5678 (mobile)
- From Australia:
0011 82 10 1234 5678
Best Times to Call South Korea
South Korea operates on Korea Standard Time (KST), which is UTC+9 year-round. South Korea does not observe daylight saving time.
Here's how South Korea's time relates to other major time zones:
| Your Location | Time Difference | Call Korea 9 AM - 6 PM |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast (EST) | Korea is 14 hours ahead | 7 PM - 4 AM EST (previous day) |
| US West Coast (PST) | Korea is 17 hours ahead | 4 PM - 1 AM PST (previous day) |
| UK (GMT) | Korea is 9 hours ahead | 12 AM - 9 AM GMT |
| Australia (AEDT) | Korea is 2 hours behind | 11 AM - 8 PM AEDT |
| Japan (JST) | Same time zone | 9 AM - 6 PM JST |
Tip: For US callers, evening calls in America connect during Korean morning hours. Korean business culture values punctuality and respect, so scheduling calls at convenient times for your Korean contacts is appreciated.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
A simple error can prevent your call from connecting. Here are the most common mistakes when dialing the 82 country code:
- Keeping the leading 0: The most common mistake. Korean numbers start with 0 domestically, but you must DROP it when calling internationally. 010-1234-5678 becomes +82 10 1234 5678, not +82 010 1234 5678.
- Confusing country codes: Don't mix up +82 (South Korea) with +81 (Japan), +86 (China), or +850 (North Korea).
- Seoul area code: Seoul uses 02 domestically, but internationally it becomes just 2 after +82.
- Forgetting the time difference: South Korea is 14-17 hours ahead of the US. An afternoon call from America arrives in the early morning in Korea.
Cheapest Ways to Call +82 Numbers
International calls to South Korea don't have to be expensive. While traditional carriers can charge $1-$3 per minute, better options exist:
- VoIP Services: Services like CallSky.io offer competitive per-minute rates to South Korea, often under $0.05/minute. Check our international calling rates.
- Messaging Apps: KakaoTalk is the dominant messaging app in South Korea. LINE, WhatsApp, and Messenger are also used for calls over WiFi or data.
- International Calling Plans: Some carriers offer South Korea in their international calling bundles. Check our guide on prepaid international calling plans.
Given the large Korean diaspora and extensive business connections, affordable calling options to South Korea are widely available.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What country has the +82 country code?
The +82 country code is for South Korea (Republic of Korea). Any call from a number starting with +82 originates from South Korea.
How many digits is a South Korean phone number?
South Korean mobile numbers have 10-11 digits domestically (9-10 digits after +82 without the leading 0). Landline numbers have 9-10 digits including the area code.
What is the area code for Seoul?
The area code for Seoul is 2. For international calls, you would dial +82 2 followed by the 7-8 digit local number.
What is the area code for Busan?
The area code for Busan is 51. Internationally, you would dial +82 51 followed by the 7-8 digit local number.
How do I call South Korea from the USA?
From a mobile phone, dial +82 followed by the Korean number without the leading 0. From a landline, dial the US exit code 011, then 82, then the number without the leading 0.
What time should I call South Korea from the US?
South Korea is 14 hours ahead of US Eastern Time and 17 hours ahead of Pacific Time. To reach someone during Korean business hours (9 AM - 6 PM KST), call between 7 PM - 4 AM EST the previous day.
Is +82 South Korea or Japan?
+82 is the country code for South Korea. The country code for Japan is +81.
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