International access code for South Korea: +82.

Landline phone services can be obtained through Korea Telecom. Tenants are generally responsible for ordering and paying for their telephone service. Individual foreign subscribers may also be required to pay a security deposit of W250,000 (around U$250.00). The deposit is returned a few months after service has been disconnected after all outstanding charges have been paid. Beware that some services offered free of charge in other countries, like caller ID, are charged extra in Korea. To request a new service dial 02-1588-8448 (an English speaker will normally be available) or visit www.kt.co.kr.

Note that your landlord won’t usually provide a telephone. Telephones from the U.S. and Canada can be used in Korea, you just need a 4-pin adapter, which is easily found, but telephones from other countries do not always operate well in Korea however.

Note that when you make a call from your cell phone it’s like making a long distance call: you have to enter the area code.

Useful numbers:

• Local Directory Assistance 114
• Overseas Call Information 00794
• Operator Assistance 00799
• Order Service or Report Problems 100
  

Phone bills can be paid at any bank, post office or at convenience stores such as Seven-Eleven. The basic phone rate is a little over W5, 000/month (approx U$5,00). Over and above the base rate is a charge for each call made: within the same city during regular hours (Weekdays 08:00 to 21:00), the rate is about 40 won / 180 seconds. During discount hours (Weekdays 21:00 to 24:00 and holidays 00:00 to 08:00), the fee will be about 40 won per 258 seconds. Calls from a land line to a mobile during regular hours cost about 14.50 per 10 seconds, during discount hours (06:00 to 08:00/ 21:00 to 24:00) costing 13.67 won per 10 seconds. There is also a special discount between the hours of 00:00 and 06:00 of 12.87 won per 10 seconds.

Public telephones are hard to find in Korea these days since almost everyone has a mobile phone.