What is the country code for South Korea?

South Korea's country code is 82. When calling from abroad, dial +82 followed by the area code (for landlines) or mobile prefix (for mobiles), then the local number.

Do I need to dial a 0 before the area code when calling from Japan?

No. When calling internationally to South Korea, omit any leading zero. Use the format +82 [area code] [number]. For example, +82 2 for Seoul, not +82 02.

Are South Korea and Japan in the same time zone?

Yes. Both Japan (JST, UTC+9) and South Korea (KST, UTC+9) are in the same time zone year-round. Neither observes daylight saving time, so there is no seasonal time difference.

How much does it cost to call South Korea from Japan with Sayfone?

Sayfone offers transparent per-minute pricing starting at 8¢/min for calls to South Korea. Your exact rate depends on whether you are calling a mobile or landline. Check your account or contact support for details.

Can I use Sayfone to call South Korea from my phone?

Yes. Sayfone is a browser-based calling service—place calls from any device with internet access, including smartphone browsers. No app download is required.

What mobile carriers operate in South Korea?

Major carriers include SK Telecom (010 prefix), KT (011 prefix), and LG UPlus (016, 017 prefixes). Mobile numbers in South Korea are identified by their carrier prefix after the country code.

Quick Answer

How to Call South Korea from Japan

Dial +82 (South Korea's country code) followed by the local number. From Japan, use the international access code 010 or +, then the country code and area code (if applicable) and subscriber number.

Start calling

Cost tools

🇯🇵From Japan

To South Korea🇰🇷

$0.08

Per minute

+82

Country code

Call quality

Landline rate

$0.08/min

Mobile rate

$0.08/min

Same per-minute Sayfone rate for landline and mobile.

Average call quality

Steps at a glance

Dial the international access code (010 or +)
Enter South Korea's country code: 82
Dial the area code (if calling a landline)
Dial the local subscriber number

Sources

1
ITU-T Recommendation E.164 (International Telephone Number Format)
Dialing format standard

DIALING GUIDE

Step-by-Step Dialing Instructions

Follow these steps to place a call from Japan to South Korea. The sequence is consistent whether you use a traditional phone, mobile, or browser-based calling service.

1
Step 1: Dial the International Access Code
Start by dialing the international access code to reach outside Japan. Use either 010 (domestic prefix for international calls) or + (plus sign, if your phone supports it).
```
010 or +
```
2
Step 2: Enter South Korea's Country Code
After the access code, dial 82, which is South Korea's international country code.
```
010 82 or +82
```
3
Step 3: Dial the Area Code (Landlines Only)
If calling a landline, enter the area code for the destination city. For example, Seoul is 2, Busan is 51. Mobile numbers do not use area codes.
```
010 82 2 (for Seoul landline)
```
4
Step 4: Enter the Local Number
Dial the full subscriber number. South Korean landlines typically have 7–8 digits; mobile numbers have 7–8 digits after the country code.
```
010 82 2 XXXX XXXX (landline) or 010 82 10 XXXX XXXX (mobile)
```

Dialing format reference

+82

Use these patterns when entering a full international number to +82.

Mobile

+82 [10–11 digit carrier prefix] [subscriber number]

Landline

+82 [area code] [7–8 digit number]

+82 2 1234 5678 (Seoul landline)
+82 51 123 4567 (Busan landline)
+82 10 1234 5678 (SK Telecom mobile)
+82 11 1234 5678 (KT mobile)

Major city area codes

Seoul2

Busan51

Incheon32

Daegu53

Daejeon42

Gwangju62

Ulsan52

Sources

1
South Korea Numbering Plan – Korea Communications Commission (KCC)
Authoritative source for South Korean numbering and dialing rules
2
Japan NTT Docomo International Dialing Guide
Reference for Japanese international dialing access codes

DIALING RULES

Important Dialing Rules and Format Notes

South Korea uses a closed numbering plan with consistent digit lengths and carrier-specific prefixes for mobile. Understanding these rules ensures reliable connections.

Always Include the Country Code (+82)

South Korea's country code is mandatory for all international calls. Even if calling from a device with stored contacts, ensure the full +82 country code is part of the number.

Mobile Numbers Start with 01x (After Country Code)

After the +82 country code, South Korean mobile numbers use a 3-digit carrier prefix: 010 (SK Telecom), 011 (KT), 016, 017, 018, 019 (other carriers). Always include this prefix.

Landline Format: Area Code + 7–8 Digit Number

South Korean landlines require a 1–2 digit area code (e.g., 2 for Seoul, 51 for Busan) followed by a 7–8 digit subscriber number. Do not omit the area code when dialing internationally.

Remove Leading Zero from Area Codes (International Format)

When calling South Korea from abroad, drop any leading zero from the area code. Domestically in South Korea, area codes are written with a leading zero (e.g., 02 for Seoul); internationally, use +82 2.

TIMING & TIPS

Best Times to Call and Calling Tips

Japan and South Korea are very close in time zones, making it easy to find convenient times. Use these tips to maximize connection quality and respect local habits.

Time & windows

Best Times to Call

9 AM–12 PM (JST)

Business hours and light social times in both regions

Good Alternative

6 PM–9 PM (JST)

Evening availability in both Japan and South Korea

🇯🇵Japan Morning

8 AM–12 PM JSTSeoul is in the same time zone (9 AM–1 PM KST). Good for business or morning calls.

🇯🇵Lunch & Afternoon

12 PM–3 PM JSTOverlaps with lunch hours in both regions. Call earlier or later for better availability.

🇯🇵Evening

6 PM–10 PM JST6 PM–10 PM KST. Suitable for personal or after-hours business calls.

🇯🇵Late Night

10 PM–7 AM JSTAvoid except for emergencies; corresponds to late night or early morning in South Korea.

Calling tips

Japan and South Korea share the same time zone (UTC+9) year-round; neither observes daylight saving time.
Business calls are generally welcome 9 AM–6 PM on weekdays in both countries.
Mobile numbers may charge higher rates for incoming international calls; verify with the recipient before calling.
Use a stable internet or mobile connection, as network quality affects call clarity when using browser-based calling.

Business etiquette

Lead with a formal greeting; use family names and honorifics until invited to use first names.
Avoid calling late evening or weekends unless the call is pre-arranged.
If the recipient is busy, respect their time; ask when a better moment might be.
In South Korea, business meetings often involve decision-makers; confirm the correct contact before calling.

Sources

1
World Time Zone Database – IANA
Authoritative time zone reference

TROUBLESHOOTING

Common Issues and Connection Tips

Most calls from Japan to South Korea connect without issues. If you encounter problems, check these common causes and solutions.

Call Not Connecting

Verify the full number includes the country code (+82) and correct area code or mobile prefix. Check that you have an active calling plan or sufficient prepaid balance. If using Sayfone, ensure your account is credited and the route is enabled.

Poor Audio Quality

Call quality depends on your internet or mobile network. Move closer to your router if using WiFi, or switch from mobile data to WiFi if available. Background noise, bandwidth limits, or network congestion can reduce clarity.

High Costs or Unexpected Charges

International calling rates vary by carrier and plan. If using Sayfone, your rate is shown before you call. Check with your mobile provider if using their international plan—many charge significantly more than specialized calling services.

Recipient Not Receiving Calls

Confirm the number format is correct (country code, area code, subscriber number). Some special numbers (VoIP, virtual lines, or business systems) may not accept international calls; ask the recipient to verify their number is active.

Sources

1
ITU-T Q.850 – ISDN User-Network Interface Call Control Messages
Reference for standard call failure codes

Savings

See what you could save

Adjust the tools below to compare Sayfone with typical retail pricing for calls to South Korea. Start with one call, then layer on monthly volume to see the bigger picture.

How to use these tools

Sayfone uses your live rate for calls to South Korea — the same basis as the rest of this page.
First, estimate savings on a single call length. Then, model a full month of minutes versus typical retail benchmarks.
Retail competitor rows are illustrative — not a quote from any carrier.