How to Get a Car Insurance as a Foreigner in South Korea

If you're planning to live or work in South Korea, having car insurance is a must if you're planning on driving. South Korea has a strict policy on car insurance, and driving without it can lead to fines or imprisonment. Car insurance in South Korea can be purchased by foreigners, but there are a few steps you need to follow to ensure you're getting the right insurance policy for your needs. In this article, we'll walk you through the process of buying car insurance in South Korea as a foreigner in detail. Step 1: Get a Korean Driver's License The first step in buying car insurance in South Korea is to get a Korean driver's license. To do this, you'll need to pass a written and practical driving test. The test is available in English, but you'll need to have a good understanding of Korean road signs and regulations. You can apply for a driver's license at any driver's license examination...

What is South Korea Time Zone?

As of my last update in September 2021, South Korea operates on the Korean Standard Time (KST) zone. Here are some detailed pieces of information about South Korea's time zone:



  1. Time Offset: The Korean Standard Time (KST) is UTC+9. It means that South Korea is 9 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). For example, when it is 12:00 PM (noon) UTC, it will be 9:00 PM KST.
  2. Observance: South Korea follows the Korean Standard Time throughout the entire year. There are no Daylight Saving Time (DST) adjustments, which means the time zone offset remains constant all year round.
  3. Standard Time: The standard time in South Korea was adopted on September 9, 1954, replacing the earlier time system, which had been used since 1908. This change was made to unify timekeeping in the country.
  4. Geographical Extent: The Korean Standard Time is used across the entire Korean Peninsula, including both North and South Korea. However, the actual time in North Korea is officially referred to as "Pyongyang Time" and is 30 minutes behind KST (UTC+8:30). This difference arose from North Korea's decision to set its own time zone in 2015 to mark the 70th anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japanese rule.
  5. Time Zone Abbreviation: The time zone abbreviation for Korean Standard Time is "KST."
  6. International Dateline: South Korea is on the eastern side of the International Date Line (IDL). When it is a certain date in South Korea, it is already one day ahead in places like the United States and Europe.
  7. Impact on Business and Communication: When conducting international business or communication with South Korea, it's essential to consider the time difference. Coordinating schedules and meetings may require some adjustment to accommodate the time gap.
  8. Notable Cities: Major cities in South Korea, such as Seoul (the capital), Busan, Incheon, Daegu, and Daejeon, all adhere to the Korean Standard Time.

Please note that time zones and their observance might change in the future due to various reasons, so it's always a good idea to double-check the current time zone information if you are looking for the most up-to-date details.