Making sense of Korean phone numbers can be confusing if you don't understand the basics. Why are some phone numbers longer than others? Why are area codes omitted sometimes?
In this article, we'll introduce you to Korean phone numbers and their different components so you can better understand why you're dialing that number and who's calling you.
Table of Contents
Structure of a South Korean phone number
Korean phone numbers consist of a total of 9 to 11 digits including the area code. Area codes are between 2 to 3 digits followed by a 7 to 8-digit phone number.
Here are some examples of cell phone numbers in South Korea:
- Cell phone number A: 010-3275-1716
- Cell phone number B: 010-6771-4151
- Cell phone number C: 011-5218-1810
All mobile numbers will have a 3-digit area code followed by an 8-digit phone number for a total of 11 digits.
Here are some examples of landline phone numbers in South Korea:
- Landline number A: 02-5340-8625
- Landline number B: 02-825-4422
- Landline number C: 031-5340-8625
- Landline number D: 031-825-4422
Landlines will have a 2 to 3-digit area code followed by a 7 to 8-digit phone number for a total of 9 to 11 digits.
In the above examples, 010 and 011 are the area codes of a mobile phone number and 02 and 031 are the area codes of a landline.
While the landline area codes will vary depending on the city, almost all area codes for mobile numbers are 010. Occasionally you'll see variations like 011, but it's rare.
If you're calling Korea internationally, there are a few additional steps you need to take when dialing.
South Korean area codes for landlines
Just like anywhere else in the world, Korea has different area codes for landlines depending on which city you live in.
- 02 - Seoul and parts of Gyeonggi-do (Gwacheon, Gwangmyeong, and parts of Goyang and Hanam)
- 031 - Gyeonggi-do
- 032 - Incheon and parts of Gyeonggi-do (Bucheon and parts of Ansan)
- 033 - Gangwon-do
- 041 - Chungcheongnam-do
- 042 - Daejeon and a part of Chungcheongnam-do (Gyeryong)
- 043 - Chungcheongbuk-do
- 044 - Sejong City
- 049 - Kaesong Industrial Region
- 051 - Busan
- 052 - Ulsan
- 053 - Daegu and a part of Gyeongsangbuk-do (Gyeongsan)
- 054 - Gyeongsangbuk-do
- 055 - Gyeongsangnam-do and parts of Ulsan
- 061 - Jeollanam-do
- 062 - Gwangju
- 063 - Jeollabuk-do
- 064 - Jeju-do
Source: "Telephone numbers in South Korea," Wikipedia, Sept 6, 2023, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telephone_numbers_in_South_Korea
Why are area codes omitted?
Area codes can be omitted when you're calling with the same area code. For example, Seoul's area code is 02. So if you're calling a Seoul landline from within Seoul, you don't have the enter the 02 area code.
Here are some examples:
- If the number is 02-3232-9876, you can just dial 323-9876 from within Seoul but 02-3232-9876 from anywhere else in the country.
- If the number is 051-3232-9876, you can just dial 323-9876 from within Busan but 051-3232-9876 from anywhere else in the country.
Conclusion
- Korean mobile area codes always start with 010 (occasionally 011 or others) while landlines vary from 2 digits to 3 digits depending on the city.
- The numbers that follow the area code are always 8 digits for mobile phones and 7 or 8 digits for landlines.
- Landline area codes can be omitted if you're calling from within the same city.
