Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Necati]

Hi All,

Will be arriving in Seoul in a few weeks!

Question regarding phones in Korea:
I want to bring my mobile phone with me (samsun wave)

My question: Can one buy just a simcard in Korea from a Korean phone provider? Like a prepaid simcard? I know that my phone supports all networks but im just not sure whether you can buy a simcard over there.

And also please advise from which company this would be.

Thanks!

[crossmr]

no

[ttompatz]

[Necati]

Thanks for the tips guys.

But is there any simcard at all?
Could my girlfriend for example get a postpaid simcard which I can put in my own phone?

I know that not all phones would work with the Korean system but this one does. I just need to know whether I can get a simcard )) even postpaid one

I have seen the phones in Korea and they are either really crap or very expensive and still crap...

Thanks again!

[crossmr]

no

[climber159]

First (unofficial) rule of Dave's: Heed ttompatz's advice; he knows what he's talking about.

You're moving to a foreign country. There's really no reason to unnecessarily add to your arrival to-do list. Politely ask your co-teacher to assist you in getting a phone.

[Troglodyte]

Most Korean phones (all new phones) have SIM cards. BUT you can't just pop a Korean SIM card into a foreign phone. The local networks will recognize that the phone ID (remember that phones also have their own unique ID) is not from a Korean phone. As mentioned, you can pay 300,000 Won to get a foreign phone registered here, but for that much money you could just buy a very nice new phone here.

It's crazy, and Korea is one of the only countries (the other being Japan) that I've been to that will not allow unlocked phones from abroad to be used with local providers, but that's the way it is.

But don't despair. You can get a cheap (or expensive) phone here easily enough. Technically, any cell phone shop that can set up customers with prepaid can sell you a phone (new or used) and a prepaid account with only your passport (even if you are just a tourist). The reality is that very few will do it without you having a residence permit (not just the visa, but also the ARC). So, if you really want a phone right away, and you're near Seoul, it's work a visit to Itaewon to pick up a phone and a prepaid account. Around the subway exit there are about half a dozen shops (most with foreigners working the desk) who can sell you a cheap second hand phone and set you up with a prepaid account, right there on the spot - no waiting or anything - for as little as 40,000 Won. Once you have your ARC, you can get a post-paid (monthly plan) if you want one. Most 1 year contracts will give you the option of a big discount on a new phone. A two year contract will often include a free phone.

Your other option is to have a Korea go with you to a shop to get a prepaid account activated in their name.

[Necati]

Thanks again for the tips guys.
I had same issue in Venezuela too. Most phones there neither have a simcard inside...but there is always a way like you explained

The thing is that I won't have a possibility to buy a postpaid card as I don't have any kind of visa. I am first going to Korea on a Tourist visa as I will be attending Yonsei for Korean language classes. Its a 10 week course so I didn't even need a student visa as I can stay up to 3 months with the visa waiver program..

Thanks again!

[CentralCali]

At the airport, there is a desk for tourists to rent phones. It's on the same floor as the departures check-in counters.

[Troglodyte]

[northway]

I believe there's a place in the Hamilton where you can go and get a prepaid phone for 10,000 if you bring a foreign passport with you (no visa or ARC required). I have some friends who used these phones for their entire year in Korea. The only problem is that it's kind of a pain to find a place to top up outside of Itaewon, but if you're going to be living in Seoul that's not really a big deal.

[Troglodyte]

A prepaid phone for 10,000 Won? Sounds a bit odd. I can't see how they would made any money from that.

If someone has done that, I'd be interested in where and how exactly someone can go about doing that.

[northway]