Where to get one
- Roaming centres run by Korean carriers at the major international airports — Incheon, Gimpo, Gimhae and Jeju — sell prepaid SIM (USIM) cards and handle pick-ups of cards ordered online
- At Incheon Terminal 1, all three carriers have roaming centres open 24 hours on the arrivals floor
- Major convenience store chains also sell physical USIM cards, though stock varies by branch
- eSIMs are bought online and set up by scanning a QR code — check that your phone supports eSIM first
Source: Korea Tourism Organization — electricity and communications
Source: Incheon International Airport — telecommunications facilities
Identity checks are required by law
Korean law requires mobile carriers to verify the identity of anyone signing up for service, including through dealers and shops, and allows them to refuse if you decline. For foreigners, a passport is one of the accepted documents. Carry it when you buy a SIM.
Source: Enforcement Decree of the Telecommunications Business Act, Article 37-7 (Korean)
What changed in 2026
- Korea is tightening phone sign-ups to fight fraud. Facial verification began in stages on 6 July 2026, for sign-ups made with a Korean resident ID card or driving licence
- The Ministry of Science and ICT says it reduced the number of lines a foreigner can open on a passport from two to one
- It plans to extend photo checks to foreign ID cards in the second half of 2026 and to passports in 2027
Source: Ministry of Science and ICT — measures against phone misuse, 30 June 2026 (Korean)
We do not list prices or recommend sellers. Whether a particular data-only eSIM asks for your passport depends on the product; the legal identity check applies to contracts with Korean mobile carriers.
Common questions
Do I need my passport to buy a SIM card in Korea?
Yes. Korean law requires mobile carriers to verify the subscriber's identity, and for foreigners the passport is an accepted document.
Can I buy a SIM card at Incheon Airport?
Yes. The carriers' roaming centres at Incheon sell prepaid SIM cards; in Terminal 1, all three carriers have 24-hour centres on the arrivals floor.
More about K-ETA
After you land
K-ETA gets you on the plane. What comes after — arrival card, e-gates, cash, tax refunds, transport, healthcare, emergencies — checked with official sources.
Transport cards
One prepaid card works on almost all public transport. Many buses take no cash, and since 1 October 2026 Seoul's Climate Card passes cover Seoul only.
Emergency numbers
112 for police, 119 for fire and ambulance. Which lines offer interpretation, the Emergency Ready App, and the English text alerts on your phone.
Plugs and voltage
Korean sockets take plugs with two round pins and supply 220 volts at 60 hertz. What to check on your charger before you plug in.
Public holidays
Korea's official holiday dates for late 2026 and all of 2027, including Seollal, Chuseok and the substitute holidays — and two holidays added in 2026.
Driving in Korea
A foreign licence alone is not enough. Visitors drive on an International Driving Permit for one year from entry. Drive on the right; alcohol limit 0.03%.