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Understanding Phone Numbers in South Korea
Quick Reference
Country: South Korea
Country Code: +82
International Prefix: 00(?:[125689]|3(?:[46]5|91)|7(?:00|27|3|55|6[126]))
National Prefix: 0
Overview
This comprehensive guide offers a detailed look into South Korea's telephone numbering system, including number formats, dialing procedures, and regulatory information. It is essential for telecom professionals, developers, and systems administrators to accurately implement South Korean phone number formats.
Number Formats
General Number Structure
South Korea's phone numbers follow a national numbering plan managed by the Ministry of Science and ICT. The structure includes:
Country Code: +82
National Prefix: 0 (for domestic calls)
Subscriber Number: Varies by service type (e.g., landline, mobile)
Number Structure Details
Service Type
Format
Example
Description
Geographic
0[2-6][0-9]{1,2}-[0-9]{3,4}-[0-9]{4}
02-1234-5678
Assigned by region, with the first digit indicating the area.
Mobile
010-[0-9]{4}-[0-9]{4}
010-1234-5678
Always starts with 010, followed by an 8-digit number.
Toll-Free
080-[0-9]{3,4}-[0-9]{4}
080-123-4567
Free from landlines, may incur charges from mobiles.
Premium Rate
060-[2-9][0-9]{6}
060-2123456
Used for specialized services like voting or adult content.
Emergency
1[0-9]{2}
119
Short codes for emergencies, such as 119 for fire and ambulance services.
Regular Expressions for Validation
Geographic Numbers:
^0[2-6][0-9]{1,2}-[0-9]{3,4}-[0-9]{4}$
Mobile Numbers:
^010-[0-9]{4}-[0-9]{4}$
Toll-Free Numbers:
^080-[0-9]{3,4}-[0-9]{4}$
Premium Rate Numbers:
^060-[2-9][0-9]{6}$
Emergency Numbers:
^1[0-9]{2}$
Dialing Procedures
Domestic Calls
Landline to Landline: Dial the area code (with 0), then the subscriber number.
Example: 02-1234-5678
Landline to Mobile: Dial 010, then the subscriber number.
Example: 010-1234-5678
Mobile to Mobile: Dial the full number directly.
Example: 010-1234-5678
International Calls
Outgoing: Dial 00, then the destination country code, area code, and subscriber number.
Example: To the US: 001-212-555-1234
Incoming: Dial +82, then the local number without 0.
Example: +82-2-1234-5678
Number Portability
Number portability in South Korea allows both mobile and fixed-line users to retain their numbers when switching providers. Introduced in 2004, this service enhances consumer flexibility.
Major Telecom Operators and Number Ranges
Operator
Mobile Prefixes
Fixed-Line Prefixes
KT
010
02, 031, 032, etc.
LG U+
010
042, 043, 044, etc.
SK Telecom
010
051, 052, 053, etc.
SK Broadband
010
054, 055, 061, etc.
Regulatory Body
The Ministry of Science and ICT oversees South Korea's telephone numbering plan. For current regulations, visit their official website.
Technical Considerations
Number Allocation and Management
The MSIT strictly manages number allocation based on demand and service type, with specific prefixes designated for particular services (e.g., 010 for mobile).
Special Cases
Golden Numbers: Highly sought after for their repeated digits, often auctioned or sold at a premium.
Number Blocking: Certain numbers may be blocked for security, especially for international calls.
ITU-T Standards Compliance
South Korea complies with ITU-T standards E.123 and E.164, ensuring global compatibility.
South Korea's telephone numbering system is robust and internationally compliant, meeting the needs of its highly connected population. Understanding its structure and regulations is crucial for effective communication within and beyond South Korea.