Mobile carrier / 010
Living in Korea

Korean mobile carriers for foreigners

Getting a real 010 number in your name is the key that unlocks 본인인증 — and with it banks, delivery apps, 당근마켓, and government sites. 7 carrier/plan options compared (5 that pass identity verification, 3 that work with no ARC yet), the prepaid-vs-postpaid reality, and the arrival → ARC → port flow + 8 tips.

7 carriers + plan options

7 results

Foreigner-focused MVNO (English + ARC help)

외국인 특화 알뜰폰
💸 알뜰폰 (MVNO)
본인인증 OKNo ARC
Best for
Foreigners who want English sign-up and a path to 본인인증 later
Highlights:
  • • English sign-up (e.g. Chingu Mobile)
  • • Prepaid on a passport
  • • Link your ARC later to enable online 본인인증

Start prepaid on a passport — a passport-registered number cannot do online 본인인증. Chingu Mobile says to contact them once your ARC arrives so they link it to your line (it is not linked automatically); after that 본인인증 works on prepaid or monthly plans, keeping the number.

KT

케이티
📡 Major carrier
본인인증 OKARC needed
Best for
A major-carrier 010 line in your name once you have an ARC
Highlights:
  • • Full 본인인증 on a postpaid 010 line in your name
  • • Nationwide network
  • • Tourist SIM/eSIM sold through KT's airport roaming centers

A postpaid line needs your ARC. Compare current plans and any contract terms in the store before you sign.

LG U+

엘지유플러스
📡 Major carrier
본인인증 OKARC needed
Best for
A major carrier with an English site and shops for foreign residents
Highlights:
  • • Full 본인인증 on a postpaid 010 line in your name
  • • U+ Global — English customer site with a shop finder
  • • Foreign-customer line 080-851-1004 (toll-free, Mon–Fri 09:00–18:00)

A postpaid line needs your ARC. Compare current plans and any contract terms before you sign.

Prepaid (선불폰) — arrival default

선불폰
🎫 Prepaid / tourist
No 본인인증No ARC
Best for
Your first weeks, before the ARC arrives
Highlights:
  • • Passport-only — buy on arrival
  • • No contract
  • • Sold at airport roaming centers
  • • Top-up as you go

Everyone starts here: a postpaid line needs an ARC. Caveat: LG U+ says its tourist SIM can receive SMS codes for restaurant and taxi apps but can't do bank or government 본인인증 — treat it as a bridge.

SKT (SK Telecom)

SK텔레콤
📡 Major carrier
본인인증 OKARC needed
Best for
A major-carrier 010 line in your name once you have an ARC
Highlights:
  • • Full 본인인증 on a postpaid 010 line in your name
  • • Nationwide network
  • • Tourist eSIM for foreign passport holders (unlimited LTE, free incoming calls/texts)

A postpaid line needs your ARC. Its tourist eSIM can bridge your first weeks — see /sim.

Tourist data eSIM (no number)

데이터 eSIM
🎫 Prepaid / tourist
No 본인인증No ARC
Best for
Short trips needing data only (not a resident solution)
Highlights:
  • • Data-only, instant eSIM
  • • No KR number
  • • Buy abroad before flying

For tourists who just need data — see /sim for the full tourist comparison. NOT for residents: no 010 number means no 본인인증. Listed here for contrast.

알뜰폰 (MVNO resellers)

알뜰폰
💸 알뜰폰 (MVNO)
본인인증 OKARC needed
Best for
Budget plans on the same three networks once you have an ARC
Highlights:
  • • Runs on the SKT, KT or LG U+ network
  • • A postpaid line in your name passes 본인인증
  • • Each brand sets its own prices and contract terms

Prices, contract terms and English/ARC support vary by brand — compare on each MVNO's own site.

Prepaid vs postpaid — the key facts

Prepaid (선불) — passport, day one

Buy with just a passport on arrival (airport roaming center or carrier shop). No contract, top-up as you go. The catch: a passport-registered line generally can't complete 본인인증 for banks or government sites.

Postpaid (후불) — needs your ARC

Full-feature monthly plans in your name. Requires an ARC and often a Korean bank account or card for auto-pay. Ask about the contract period and early-termination terms before you sign.

A 010 line = the 본인인증 key

A postpaid 010 number registered in YOUR name is what unlocks identity verification for banks, Kakao/Toss, 당근마켓, government sites, and delivery apps. This is the real reason to upgrade from prepaid.

Number portability (번호이동)

When you switch carriers (e.g. prepaid → postpaid, or major → 알뜰폰), you can KEEP your 010 number via 번호이동. Your Kakao/bank OTPs and 2FA keep working — port, don’t restart.

Majors vs 알뜰폰 (MVNO)

MVNOs resell the SKT, KT and LG U+ networks under their own brands and prices. Compare the MVNO's plan and support with a major's before you sign.

Setup flow — 5 steps

Arrival → ARC → port to a 본인인증-capable 010 line.

  1. 1

    Land → grab a prepaid SIM · 선불 유심

    At the airport or a carrier shop, buy a prepaid SIM/eSIM with your passport for your first weeks. Pick one with decent data; you'll replace it once your ARC arrives.

  2. 2

    Register your address + get your ARC · 외국인등록증

    Apply for your ARC (외국인등록증) at immigration after arrival; processing times vary — check HiKorea or call 1345. The ARC is the gate to a postpaid line + 본인인증.

  3. 3

    Choose major vs 알뜰폰 · 통신사 선택

    Compare the majors (SKT, KT, LG U+) with 알뜰폰 MVNOs on the same networks. Decide on data needs, budget and how much English help you want.

  4. 4

    Open a postpaid 010 line in your name · 후불 개통

    Bring ARC + passport (+ a KR bank account or card for auto-pay). Open a postpaid 010 line — and use 번호이동 to KEEP your prepaid number if you want continuity.

  5. 5

    Verify your identity everywhere · 본인인증 설정

    With the 010 line in your name, run 본인인증 in your banking app, Kakao/Toss, 당근마켓, and government sites. This is the moment Korean daily-life apps actually open up — see /banking-arc.

Tips — porting, lock-in, 알뜰폰

  • Prepaid is a bridge, not a homeStart prepaid (passport), but plan to move to postpaid once your ARC lands — a passport-registered prepaid line usually can't do 본인인증. Don't over-invest in a prepaid plan.
  • Port your number (번호이동)When upgrading or switching, ask for 번호이동 to keep your 010 number. Restarting with a new number breaks every OTP/2FA you've already set up.
  • 알뜰폰 = same networks, own pricesMVNOs run on the SKT, KT or LG U+ network, so coverage follows the host network. Once you have an ARC, compare a foreigner-friendly MVNO against the majors.
  • Getting help in EnglishLG U+ runs U+ Global, an English site for foreign residents (080-851-1004), and foreigner-focused MVNOs such as Chingu Mobile sign you up in English. Elsewhere, ask the shop for foreign-customer help.
  • Postpaid needs ARC + often auto-payBring your ARC + passport and usually a Korean bank account or card for the monthly auto-payment (자동이체). No ARC yet = prepaid only.
  • Check the contract (약정) termsSome postpaid plans come with a contract period and an early-termination charge. If your stay is short or uncertain, ask for a no-contract plan.
  • A line in YOUR name mattersFor 본인인증 to work, the 010 line must be registered to you (your ARC), not a friend or employer. Borrowed lines won't verify your identity on banks/apps.
  • Keep prepaid running until portedDon't cancel the prepaid SIM before the postpaid line is active + the number ported — you don't want a gap that drops your OTPs mid-setup.

Phrasebook for the carrier shop

I'd like a prepaid SIM, please.
선불 유심 주세요.
Seonbul yusim juseyo.
I'd like to open a postpaid plan.
후불 요금제로 개통하고 싶어요.
Hubul yogeumje-ro gaetonghago sipeoyo.
I want to keep my number (port it).
번호이동 하고 싶어요.
Beonho-idong hago sipeoyo.
I have an Alien Registration Card.
외국인등록증 있어요.
Oegugin-deungnokjeung isseoyo.
Is there a contract / lock-in?
약정 있어요?
Yakjeong isseoyo?
Does this work for identity verification?
이거 본인인증 돼요?
Igeo bonin-injeung dwaeyo?

See also

Short-trip data SIM/eSIM: /sim. What a verified number unlocks: /banking-arc. eSIM for app verification + taxis: /kakao-t-setup.