How to Dial a Korean Cell Phone

"82" is the country code for Korea.

Calling a Korean cell phone is generally the same as calling other international destinations. The process of calling a cell phone or a landline phone is almost the same as well. Both require dialing the country code "82," then the cell phone prefix for a cell phone or area code for a landline phone, followed by the cell phone or landline phone number.

Instructions

1. Confirm the cell phone number you intend to call and follow the format required to make an international call to Korea. In various cases, the Korean cell phone number provided to you may or may not include the country code. You can readily correct the format you need to dial by checking the first two digits of the phone number. If the number starts with an "82," this means that the number you have already includes the country code.

   All Korean cell phone numbers start with a zero. Without the country code (which is not necessarily used when calling locally within Korea), most cell phone numbers start with the cell phone prefixes "010," '011," "016" or "017." More often, the cell phone number you would normally receive still includes the "0" as the first digit of the cell phone number. However, when making an international call, you must drop the "0" and replace it with the country code.

2. Dial "011," the international exit code in the United States, then continue to key in the Korean cell phone number. It should start with the country code, the cell phone prefix (dropping the first zero), then the actual cell phone number.

3. Press the call button and wait until your line is connected to your intended party's Korean cell phone number.

Tips & Warnings

• International calls entail high phone call rates. You can possibly save when calling long distance during evenings and weekends, instead of calling during business hours, often referred to as peak hours.

• If you need to call Korean phones often, such options as phone cards and international call subscriptions can offer lower rates when making international calls. Some require entering PINs and toll-free or local access numbers before dialing the phone number of the call recipient in Korea.

• Setting up Internet phone calls through popular online services such as those offered by Skype and Yahoo! Messenger can provide inexpensive alternatives when making international calls. You must be connected to the Internet when using such services.

• When calling someone in Korea, take note that the country is 14 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Standard Time.

References

• How to Call Abroad: How to Call South Korea from the USA/Canada
• AITelephone: International Call South Korea
• Union Telecard Alliance: South Korea Calling Guide