What plug and voltage does South Korea use? 220 V, 60 Hz, two round holes, and a device-label check
Numbers checked against the official source on 2026-10-19
Korea's standard voltage is 220 volts at 60 hertz, and the wall outlet has two round holes, according to the Korea Tourism Organization (VISITKOREA). So a device whose label range does not include 220 V is not marked for Korean mains, while a device whose label covers 220 V and 60 Hz only needs a plug that fits two round holes. A travel adapter can be borrowed or bought at hotels, airports, retail stores, major duty-free shops and even convenience stores. The checker below only applies those stated facts to the numbers on your device's label.
Read on 2026-10-19 from the VISITKOREA "Electricity & Communications" page and the KEPCO English history page. Neither prints a revision date.
What the official pages say
- Voltage and frequency: "The standard voltage in Korea is 220 volts at 60 Hertz, and the outlet has two round holes" (VISITKOREA).
- Adapters: if you do not have a multi-voltage travel adapter, you may ask to borrow or purchase one from your hotel's front desk, and you can also find them at the airport, retail stores, major duty-free shops and convenience stores (VISITKOREA).
- Plug-type letters: the official pages describe the outlet by its shape, so this page does not certify a plug-type letter such as C or F. Match the shape (two round holes) or use an adapter.
- Why you may still see old sockets: KEPCO's own history says it started the nationwide project to raise the voltage to 220 V in October 1973 and completed the "32-year-long voltage upgrade project to 220V" in November 2005.
- The 60 Hz point: Korea's embassy in Germany, writing for Koreans heading to a 50 Hz country, warns that because Korea is on 60 Hz, a product that is not 50/60 Hz compatible may have a shorter life or fail. That advice is for the reverse trip, but it shows why the frequency on the label matters; check with the maker if your device lists only 50 Hz.
Check your device's label
Find the line starting "INPUT" on the charger or the device. Enter the lowest and highest voltage printed (for a single value such as 220 V, enter it twice) and what the label says about frequency.
This checker only compares your numbers with 220 V and 60 Hz. It does not know your device's real limits, wattage or earthing, so the label and the maker's instructions come first.
This page is a summary, not electrical-safety advice. Related: household electricity rates and SIM and eSIM options.
Checked 2026-10-19.
Official sources
- VISITKOREA (Korea Tourism Organization) — Electricity & Communications — 220 V, 60 Hz, two round holes, where to get a multi-voltage adapter (checked 2026-10-19)
- KEPCO (English) — History — voltage upgrade project to 220 V, October 1973 to November 2005 (checked 2026-10-19)
- Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Germany — 독일 방문시 점검 사항 (revised 2025-03-12) — Korea is 60 Hz; products not 50/60 Hz compatible may fail (advice for Koreans travelling to Germany) (checked 2026-10-19)
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