Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Sapa]

I'm looking at getting a cheap, possibly second-hand mobile phone. I want a prepaid one which I can occasionally top up. Is it the same system as in the uk where you can top up by 10 and this will stay active until you use it? I don't want to have it expire.
Anyway, where do I find one?

[climber159]

Your best bet in this endeavor is to go to Yongsan electronics market (behind Yongsan station and across the tracks) or Itaewon (in the alley behind Dunkin Donuts and KB Bank). Both places you will find plenty of shop employees who speak enough English to get you set up.

I'm not certain on the buying of minutes; but, I think that, while your minutes/texts don't expire, you must buy some each month to keep your phone active.

Make sure you get a phone that allows you store names and numbers. I've heard of people getting phones that lacked this handy feature. Yikes!

[Pete82]

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[PeteJB]

The prepay system here absolutely sucks, at least from my experience. You pay your topup when you get the phone, and then you have one month of active time. After that, if you don't topup again after a month, your phone is disabled until you put more money on it. It doesn't matter how much you put on it. You don't lose money after a month has expired - it just gets added onto the next month. Basically, you have to topup every month. And guess what. You can't do it via the phone, you must go to the store and do it - and only SOME stores will let you topup due to their lack of experience with foreigners. Ah yes that Caller ID drives me mad.

[A2Steve]

what store exxactly?


or what stores are the phones at the Itaewan place tied to? though given the sheer number of different stores on any city block, I guess it doesnt matter- you run into yours sooner or later.....