Time in South Korea - Time Zones

South Korea Quick Facts

🏛️ Capital City

Seoul

👥 Population

52M

💰 Currency

₩ South Korean Won

📞 Phone Code

+82

🗣️ Official Languages

Korean

🕐 Time Zones in South Korea

KST (UTC+9)

South Korea uses Korea Standard Time (UTC+9). Seoul is a major tech and business hub, home to Samsung, Hyundai, and LG. South Korea does not observe Daylight Saving Time.

South Korea does not observe Daylight Saving Time (DST). This means the time difference with countries that do observe DST (such as the US, UK, and most of Europe) will change twice a year when those countries adjust their clocks.

🏙️ Major Cities in South Korea (5 cities)

Click on any city to see detailed local time, sunrise/sunset times, and weather information.

📞 Best Time to Call South Korea

Calling South Korea from the US requires careful planning due to the significant time difference. If you're on the East Coast (EST), try calling between 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM, which will be morning time in South Korea. West Coast callers (PST) can call between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM. For UK callers, early morning calls work best.

Standard business hours in South Korea are typically 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM or 6:00 PM local time, Monday through Friday. Government offices and banks may have shorter hours. Many businesses close for lunch, especially in Southern European, Latin American, and Asian countries.

✈️ Time-Related Travel Tips for South Korea

When traveling to South Korea, expect significant jet lag if coming from Europe or the Americas. Allow 1-2 days to adjust to the time difference. Most South Korea hotels will have alarm clocks, but setting your phone to local time immediately upon arrival helps. The primary language is Korean. Business meetings often start punctually, so account for traffic when planning.

🎯 Interesting Facts About Time in South Korea

•Despite its size, South Korea uses only one time zone, simplifying scheduling across the entire country.
•The capital Seoul is the political center of South Korea with a total national population of 52M.
•Many Asian countries, including South Korea, historically based their time zones on Beijing or Tokyo time during different periods.
•Time zone boundaries don't always follow geographical lines - they're often adjusted for political, economic, or practical reasons.
•The concept of standardized time zones was developed in the 19th century with the expansion of railways, replacing local solar time.

About Time in South Korea

South Korea uses a single time zone (KST (UTC+9)). This makes it relatively straightforward to coordinate times across the country.

The capital city Seoul serves as the political and often economic center of South Korea. Major business activities are spread across cities including Seoul, Busan, Busan, Incheon and 1 more.

When planning international calls, video conferences, or business meetings with contacts in South Korea, it's important to consider the time zone difference. KST (UTC+9) is the most commonly referenced time zone for South Korea.

South Korea uses the South Korean Won (₩) as its official currency. The international dialing code is +82.The official language is Korean.

🏙️ Cities in South Korea

Explore local time in 5 cities across South Korea

🌍 Other Countries in Asia

Frequently Asked Questions About Time in South Korea

What time zone is South Korea in?

South Korea uses KST (UTC+9). The capital Seoul uses KST (UTC+9).

Does South Korea observe Daylight Saving Time?

South Korea does not observe Daylight Saving Time (DST). This means the time difference with countries that do observe DST (such as the US, UK, and most of Europe) will change twice a year when those countries adjust their clocks.

What is the best time to call South Korea from the US?

Calling South Korea from the US requires careful planning due to the significant time difference. If you're on the East Coast (EST), try calling between 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM, which will be morning time in South Korea. West Coast callers (PST) can call between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM. For UK callers, early morning calls work best.

What are typical business hours in South Korea?

Standard business hours in South Korea are typically 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM or 6:00 PM local time, Monday through Friday. Government offices and banks may have shorter hours. Many businesses close for lunch, especially in Southern European, Latin American, and Asian countries.