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If you live in South Korea or are going to be visiting the nation for pleasure or business, it is critical to understand how to get the most performance and flexibility out of your internet connection.
The Korean government has been chastised for its efforts to censor and regulate the internet in the country and for being so stringent that Reporters Without Borders added the country to its censorship list of “countries under observation.”
In Korea, well-known social networking sites such as Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube are accessible. The Korean government, on the other hand, occasionally issues “requests” to various social media platforms to remove content it deems undesirable, particularly during election seasons.
Keep reading if you want more information on the ideal VPN to use in this highly regulated country!
1. Best VPN for South Korea in June 2023
The five VPN companies listed below have shown to be the finest VPN solutions for use from within Korea after extensive testing. Our top options are:
Let us take a look at these in further detail.
1.1 NordVPN – Best Overall South Korea VPN
Because of its top-notch privacy and online security measures, dependable fast connections, and extensive worldwide server network, NordVPN is one of our top picks in this roundup.
NordVPN offers over 5,500 servers in 59 locations throughout the world, including Korea, at the time of writing.
Your online activities are protected by a kill switch option, bank-grade encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and malware and ad filtering.
A tight no-server-logs policy, and a cryptocurrency subscription payment option, ensure that your anonymity is protected to the fullest extent possible.
In this review, the service has the third-fastest download speeds. The connections are capable of streaming 4K and HD video, online gaming, and file download/sharing. Obviously, all of this is contingent on your typical download speeds.
NordVPN app support is available for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Amazon Fire, Linux, and Android TV. Browser extensions for Firefox and Chrome are also available.
1.2 ExpressVPN – Fastest South Korea VPN
From within Korea, ExpressVPN provides trustworthy internet safety and augmentation for your online activity. While the supplier is a little on the expensive side, it provides a reasonable return on investment.
The ExpressVPN worldwide server network has over 3,000 servers in 94 countries around the world, including Korea.
A kill switch option, military-grade encryption, and IPv6 and DNS leak protection are all included in the online security package. Split tunneling enables you to choose which apps run inside the secure VPN tunnel and which apps run outside of the secure tunnel.
The VPN’s no-server-logs-ever policies and willingness to accept Bitcoin as a subscription payment ensure privacy.
ExpressVPN excels when it comes to connection speeds, offering plenty of bandwidth for HD video streaming, file sharing, and gaming.
This indicates that, based on your typical connection speeds, the service is capable of streaming video, file sharing, online gaming, downloads, and more. There are no data caps imposed by the provider to limit your enjoyment.
1.3 Surfshark VPN – Best Budget VPN for South Korea
Surfshark may not have been around as long as some of the other providers on this list, but it is swiftly establishing itself as a force to be reckoned with. Aside from a full VPN service, the provider also offers a low-cost membership plan that would appeal to budget-conscious users.
The company’s global server count is currently over 3,200 machines spread across 65 countries. That’s a significant increase above the previous year’s figures.
Kill switch protection, bank-level encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak preventions, and an ad-blocking function secure customer connection. The “MultiHop” feature allows you to connect to two VPN servers at the same time, enhancing your privacy and security.
Because of the VPN’s no-server-logs policy and acceptance of Bitcoin, your privacy is likewise properly safeguarded.
The connectivity speeds of Surfshark are the quickest of all the VPNs on the list, and they are more than adequate for almost any online activity.
1.4 CyberGhost – South Korea VPN With Many Locations
People who are new to utilizing a VPN service may find CyberGhost particularly appealing. It’s a big bonus to have one-click access to file-sharing and streaming servers.
CyberGhost’s network of 7,100+ servers, spread across 91 countries, has you covered, including many locations in Korea. The provider features a large number of streaming-optimized servers, allowing users to access popular streaming services with ease. Servers that are geared for peer-to-peer file sharing are also accessible.
This VPN’s privacy and security are well-protected. Government-grade encryption, DNS leak and IPv6 leak prevention, and kill switch protection keep your online activities safe from prying eyes.
A password manager, antivirus protection, and an app that searches for outdated and/or risky programs are among the new services launched recently by the company. If your email address is compromised in a data breach, the company’s “ID Guard” feature notifies you.
The service safeguards your privacy by never tracking your online activities, so no server logs are kept, and it also offers a crypto payment option to keep your payment information private.
1.5 VyprVPN – Safe VPN for South Korea
VyprVPN may not have the most servers of the VPNs on this list; however, its servers offer a level of privacy protection that no other VPN can match.
Korea is one of the provider’s 700+ servers, which are spread over 60 countries. VyprVPN owns and operates every single one of those servers. That is something that no other supplier in this list can claim. Third-party contractors are kept out of your personal data by VyprVPN’s self-owned server farms.
These servers safeguard your connection with the use of kill switch protection, banking-grade encryption, and DNS and IPv6 leak prevention. Blocking of malicious websites is also available.
While the company’s speeds are among the slowest in this group, they nevertheless give enough bandwidth for your preferred online activities, such as online gaming and video streaming.
Apps for VyprVPN are compatible with Android Windows, iOS, macOS, and Android TV. At this moment, however, no browser extensions are offered. The service provider supports a wide range of router brands. Only three simultaneous connections are available with the basic subscription level.
2. Why Do You Need a VPN for South Korea?
Fortunately, there is a program you can use to make sure your internet actions are not being recorded by the government, your service provider, or the guy with the good laptop down at the cafe. The same program also gives you access to foreign streaming and other forms of material.
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) encrypts your internet connection, making it impossible for other parties to track your online activities. VPNs can also give your connected device a new IP address that is outside of Korea, enabling you to view content that would otherwise be prohibited inside the nation.
3. What to Think About When Getting a VPN in South Korea
Keep in mind not every VPN is suitable for usage in Korea. You must carefully analyze VPN service providers’ service offerings to determine whether they provide you with reliable, secure access to the data you desire.
Here is a rundown of the most important considerations to make while determining which VPNs to use in Korea:
- Server network
- Connection speed
- Ease of use
- Value
- Privacy and security
- Streaming
4. How to Use a VPN in South Korea
Using a VPN to safeguard and enhance your online activity is simple. Simply follow these simple instructions:
- Sign up with a reputable VPN service. (Express VPN comes highly recommended by me.)
- Download and install the VPN provider’s app on your preferred device.
- To use the VPN service, you must first log in.
- If you wish to access content from outside of Korea, choose a VPN server situated outside the nation; if you just want to keep your online activity private, choose a server situated inside the country.
- Connect to the services and sites you use the most!
5. South Korea VPN FAQ
5.1 What Is the Best Free VPN for South Korea?
Free VPNs aren’t suitable for any application, including Korea. A free VPN can make you wait in line before joining, limit your data and speed, and frequently sell your information to third parties. It’s far preferable to stick with premium VPNs.
5.2 What is the Best VPN for Korea for Computers?
ExpressVPN has native applications for both macOS and Windows computers. Furthermore, ExpressVPN is the best VPN for PCs because of its fast connections, excellent privacy and security measures, and vast global server coverage.
5.3 What Is the Best VPN for iOS in Korea?
Since it has a native app for iOS devices, ExpressVPN is the best VPN for iOS. It also has high connection speeds, a large worldwide server network, strong privacy measures, and reliable security.
6. The Bottom Line
Visitors and residents to Korea may find that a VPN can protect and enrich their entire internet experience.
ExpressVPN provides customers with dependable access to prohibited content all around the world, allowing them to watch their favorite movies, TV episodes, play games, and access other stuff.
In addition, the supplier provides exceptional internet security, good privacy protection, the ability to utilize the service on all of your linked devices, quick connections, and more.
VPN Service
www.nordvpn.com
NordVPN
Review
Price:
$11.95 $3.71/month
Servers: 5500+ in 59 countries
Simultaneous connections: 6
Jurisdiction: Panama
Payment: PayPal, AmazonPay, Crypto, Google Pay, Klarna
Torrenting: OK
Unblocks US Netflix: Yes
Dedicated IP: $70/yr
TrustPilot Score: 4,7/5
Money-back: 30 days
Extra: Double VPN, Obfuscated servers
Visit NordVPN »
www.expressvpn.com
ExpressVPN
Review
Price:
$12.95 $8.32/month
Servers: 3300+ in 94 countries
Simultaneous connections: 5
Jurisdiction: British Virgin Islands
Payment: PayPal, Crypto, AliPay, Klarna,
Torrenting: OK
Unblocks US Netflix: Yes
Dedicated IP: Not provided
TrustPilot Score: 4,7/5
Money-back: 30 days
Visit ExpressVPN »
www.cyberghostvpn.com
CyberGhost
Review
Price:
$11.99 $2.25/month
Servers: 6600+ in 89 coutrines
Simultaneous connections: 7
Jurisdiction: Romania
Payment: PayPal, Crypto
Torrenting: OK
Unblocks US Netflix: Yes
Dedicated IP: $51/yr
TrustPilot Score: 4,8/5
Money-back: 45 days
Visit CyberGhost »
www.surfshark.com
Surfshark
Price:
$11.95 $2.49/month
Servers: 3200+ in 65 coutrines
Simultaneous connections: Unlimited
Jurisdiction: British Virgin Islands
Payment: PayPal, Crypto, Google Pay, Amazon Pay
Torrenting: OK
Unblocks US Netflix: Yes
Dedicated IP: Not provided
TrustPilot Score: 4,3/5
Money-back: 30 days
Visit Surfshark »
www.purevpn.com
PureVPN
Review
Price:
$9.60 $3.33/month
Servers: 6500+ in 140 coutrines
Simultaneous connections: 10
Jurisdiction: Hong Kong
Payment: PayPal, Credit Cards
Torrenting: OK
Unblocks US Netflix: Yes
Dedicated IP: $35.88/yr
TrustPilot Score: 4,7/5
Money-back: 31 days
Visit PureVPN »