Whether you live in Korea or are just visiting, it’s important to ensure your internet connection is safe and able to access geo-blocked services that might be blocked from inside the country. To protects your privacy and mask your identity, we found five of the South Korean best VPN servers around, ranked by connection speeds, security and privacy protections, and more.
The best VPN for Korea can ensure that your online activities aren’t being tracked by your Internet Service Provider (ISP), the government, and cybercriminals.
Table of Contents
South Korea Best VPN (2024 Update)
Although Korea is well-known for an inexhaustible quantity of technological innovations, internet freedom in South Korea is not as free as its residents want it to be. South Korea’s government takes strict actions against freedom of speech on online platforms and requires internet users to identify themselves if they add anything publicly visible to uncensored sites.
Besides, South Korea is also strong in government surveillance and uses online censorship amidst the ongoing political tensions that revolve between South Korea and North Korea, and even China. The Korean government blocks and banned specific types of content that find objectionable on the internet.
With the heavy usage of the internet, cybercrime is also a big issue in South Korea. Browsing the internet is not always safe with an increasing number of hacking cases over the past few years in South Korea. It is important to protect and enhance your online security with a VPN and a decent antivirus.
These reasons are exactly why you need to get yourself one of the best VPNs for South Korea today. We’ve shortlisted the top 5 best VPNs that actually work in South Korea, all proven to keep my data safe while unblocking local and global content.
The Best Korea VPN at a Glance
If you’re short on time and want to know which is the best, we’ve rounded up the best options with top five best VPN that work wells in South Korea as below:
- NordVPN – Best all-around VPN in South Korea with great unblock capabilities, KRW 4257/mo.
- ExpressVPN – Premium VPN that is packed with advanced features, prices start from KRW 7572/mo.
- PureVPN – Best VPN in Korea idea for streaming using Mac and Android, KRW 3270/mo.
- VyprVPN – Best VPN for Travel to Korea with no connection limits. KRW 1896/mo.
- Surfshark – South Korea Best Cheap VPN with budget-friendly price at KRW 2827/mo.
USD to won Conversion: $1 United States Dollar equivalent to KRW 1,135.25 South Korean won.
How To Connect To VPN in South Korea
Using a VPN in South Korea is actually pretty straightforward. Depending on the device you’ll be using the VPN on, setup may slightly vary but usually is very similar and simple. Just follow a few easy steps:
- Subscribe to a reliable VPN provider. (NordVPN is my recommendation for the Korea best VPN ranking)
- Download and install the VPN provider’s app on your favorite device. Multiple devices can be use based on your subscription list.
- Log into the VPN service based on your account.
- Select a VPN server to connect with. Choose the server located outside of South Korea to access content from outside the country. Or a server inside South Korea if you simply want to protect your online activities from observation.
- Connect to your favorite sites and services. That’s it!
How To Change South Korea IP Address
For Korean learners who want to access media content only available in South Korea from anywhere in the world, you should choose a VPN with the Korean server. Our South Korea best VPN listed below offer you a huge number of global access VPN servers around the globe, including South Korea with valid IP addresses.
All you have to do in order to get a South Korea VPN server address is as below:
- Subscribe and download the VPN app, for example, ExpressVPN.
- Go to the Servers tab and look for South Korea VPN server with a South Korea IP address.
- Connect to the server and access blocked websites in South Korea.
How To Choose The Best VPN in South Korea
To find the best VPNs for South Korea, we looked for services based on the following criteria and characteristics below:
- Global Server network – VPN provider has a large network of servers, with multiple servers in high-traffic countries like the US.
- South Korea Server – VPN service with servers in South Korea with the Korean IP address to help you unblock local channels and contents from outside the country.
- Fast Speed – VPN provider that fast enough speed for browsing the internet, gaming, and streaming.
- Advanced Security Features – Uses effectively uncrackable encryption, for example, AES 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and more advanced security features.
- Zero-logging policy – Does not log any personally identifiable information to safeguarding your privacy.
- Unrestricted Internet Access – Able to bypass South Korean internet restrictions to unblock and access local and international content.
- Netflix compatibility in South Korea – Excellent unblocking power for blocked Netflix services that are exclusive in the USA, UK, and Japan.
- Apps Compatibility – Includes apps for all of the most popular operating systems and devices.
Today’s Top 5 Best VPN in South Korea
We found these to be the best VPNs for South Korea:
NordVPN – Best all-around VPN in South Korea.
Top-notch service with reliable connection in South Korea. Super-secure with obfuscated servers for a secure connection at a reasonable price tag.
ExpressVPN – Top Premium VPN for South Korea.
The global network of servers, lightning-fast speeds for unbeatable security and streaming in South Korea. Try it risk-free with its 30-day money-back guarantee.
PureVPN – Best streaming VPN within and outside of South Korea.
A powerful VPN for unblocking geo-blocked contents and services. Great for streaming with 6,500+ servers worldwide, including 18 servers in South Korea.
VyprVPN – Best South Korea VPN with strict privacy and security features.
Owns and operates its entire global server network. Chameleon Technology continues to offer a reliable way to access geo-blocked content.
SurfShark: Best Cheap VPN in South Korea at Low Price.
Budget choice. A security and privacy-conscious VPN in South Korea with affordable prices. Boosted with 3,200+ servers and simultaneous connections allowance.
South Korea Best VPN: NordVPN
NordVPN is the top-rated best VPN in South Korea with Korean servers. It is an excellent VPN brand that is widely recognized by reviewers and users alike, with its top-notch secure, fast connections and comprehensive global server network.
Why Using NordVPN in South Korea:
- Huge network connection with 5,500+ servers in 59 countries, including 10 in South Korea.
- User-interactive server selection on applications.
- More security options than most VPNs with comprehensive privacy and security protections.
- Protect up to 6 of your devices with 1 subscription.
- A 30-day money-back guarantee is available for risk-free.
Boosted by an excellent global network, NordVPN has over 5,500 servers stationed in 59+ countries around the globe including Japan, Singapore, Australia, South Korea, and more. Alone in South Korea, NordVPN has almost 10 Korean servers, which is a good number of servers that help to access local content, such as Arirang TV, CUBE TV, Gayo TV, etc.
The speed is fast enough to stream live HD video with no noticeable buffering and unblocks some of the most popular streaming services including Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and more. Plus, NordVPN offers hundred of specific servers optimized for P2P file-sharing, DDoS protection, and using the internet from countries with strict online censorship.
NordVPN uses 256-bit strong encryption to protect your online activities. It also offers the Kill Switch, CyberSec, Onion over VPN, and DoubleVPN to further enhance the level of privacy you’ll get with the VPN. A strict no-server-logs policy, meaning your activities stay private at all times.
Like any other best VPN for South Korea, NordVPN apps are available for popular operating systems, such as Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.
NordVPN ranges in cost from $3.30 to around $12. The longer length of a plan you select, the lower the monthly cost will be. A 30-day money-back guarantee for NordVPN download.
South Korea Best VPN: ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is one of the most premium VPNs in the market that offers secure access to multiple countries, including South Korea. The TrustedServer technology runs entirely on RAM that is wiped out whenever reboots to ensure your information is never stored on any server for added privacy and security.
Solid no logs policy and the service provider doesn’t log any information that could identify you whenever online.
Why Using ExpressVPN in South Korea in South Korea:
- Excellent global server coverage with 3,000+ servers in 94 countries, including 3 in South Korea.
- TrustedServer Technology ensures your information is never stored on any servers to keep your identity private.
- Best-in-class encryption and zero-logs policy.
- Fast connection speeds that great for video streaming and gaming.
- 5 simultaneous connections with 1 subscription.
- 30-day money-back guarantee (with a “no questions asked” refund policy).
The ExpressVPN global server network is made up of over 3,000 servers around the globe. With servers in 94 countries and 3 servers in South Korea, you are able to access geo-blocked restricted websites and services. Popular streaming content that you can access with this service includes Netflix, Amazon, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney+, ESPN+, and many others with unlimited bandwidth.
Online security is protected by 256-bit AES military-level encryption, DNS, and IPv6 leak protection. A split-tunneling feature allows you to specify which apps operate inside the encrypted VPN tunnel, and which apps operate outside the protective tunnel.
With ExpressVPN, you can connect up to 5 devices at a time with one subscription. It s compatible with all the major platforms including macOS, Windows, Android, iOS, Firestick, Linux, Android TV, and Xbox.
If you are opting for ExpressVPN cheapest plan, ExpressVPN is running a promotion for $6.67/mo (included with three months free) with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
South Korea Best VPN: PureVPN
Based in the data retention-free jurisdiction of Hong Kong, PureVPN has an expansive global network including South Korea.
With 6500+ servers in 140+ countries, you can easily unblock VoD services like Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Hotstar, NBC Live, Foxtel, and Fox-Sports if you are a resident or traveling to South Korea. Besides, 18 servers are located in Seoul, so you can watch your favorite South Korean TV shows such as KBS drama and JTBC GOLF even when traveling abroad.
Why Using PureVPN in South Korea:
- 6,500+ global servers, including 18 in Seoul, South Korea.
- Obfuscated security bypass to maintain your privacy while connected to South Korea.
- Military-grade encryption and a zero-logs policy.
- Supports up to 10 simultaneous device connections to South Korea.
- 31-day money-back guarantee.
PureVPN offers military-grade AES 256-bit encryption, secure protocols, and plenty of security features to help you safely browse within Korea. Plus, every version of PureVPN comes with a kill switch feature, ensuring you don’t inadvertently browse without protection, even for a second.
PureVPN is perfect for those looking to protect lots of connected devices with 10 simultaneous device connections. It boasts lightweight apps and strong multi-platform support such as macOS, Windows, Android, iOS, Android TV, Firestick, Roku, and Routers.
If you really want the best of the best VPN in South Korea, PureVPN is worth looking into. Depending on how long of a plan you’d like to purchase, costs can range from $2.88 to $12.99 per month with a money-back guarantee.
South Korea Best VPN: VyvrVPN
VyprVPN definitely one of the most popular Korean VPNs you’ll find in the market. Based in Switzerland, VyprVPN claims to be “the fastest and most secure Korean VPN” around that ensuring your privacy and securing your data.
Why Using VyprVPN in South Korea:
- Good global server coverage with 700+ global servers in 70+ countries.
- Chameleon VPN technology helps you bypass geo-restrictions while protecting your data.
- Unlimited server switching and IP address changes.
- Privately owned and operated networks and servers.
- Desktop and mobile apps for every device.
The provider offers access to 700+ servers located in 70+ countries, including South Korea. It owns and operates its entire global server network, keeping third-party contractors away from customer data to make sure your privacy is protected. You are able to access most streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Spotify, EuroSports, Vudu, ABC Go, and more.
Plus, VyprVPN offers some of the most sought-after banking-grade encryption and protocols. The kill switch protection, DNS and IPv6 leak prevention, as well as Malicious-site blocking, are also provided. That’s not all, the Chameleon VPN technology is very popular and famous for bypassing extremely restrictive censorship, like in China, which is tough to find with a VPN. It is able to scramble your metadata to hide your identity and reallocation. The perfect way to securely access websites that are banned in South Korea without anyone (not even the government) knowing your online activities.
VyprVPN apps are available for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Android TV platforms.
But best of all, VyprVPN is quite affordable and only costs $1.67/mo for unlimited simultaneous connection to South Korea. It even comes with a full 30-day money-back guarantee. Check it out by download VyprVPN here.
South Korea Best VPN: SurfShark
Surfshark is a great low-cost alternative when looking for the South Korea best cheap VPN. At just $2.49/mo, Surfshark comes packed with some of the finest security features in the industry at a very low price.
Why Using Surfshark in South Korea:
- 3,300+ global servers in 64 countries, including 1 server in South Korea.
- Military-grade encryption and a zero-logs policy to protect your online privacy.
- Optimized servers and fast enough for HD streaming.
- Cost-effective with unlimited simultaneous device connections in one account.
- Budget price yet still comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Similar to much more renowned VPNs, Surfshark has an impressive global network with more than 3,300+ VPN server locations across 65+ countries including 1 server in South Korea. Whether you’re using P2P networks, streaming US Netflix in South Korea, or just browsing the internet, SurfShark provides excellent unblocking ability with reasonable internet connection speeds.
Although the price is within the budget range, SurfShark takes your security seriously. It uses 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and protection against IPv6, DNS, and WebRTC leaks to keep your traffic secure. The NoBorders feature lets you browse freely in countries with strict online blocking (like South Korea).
Not even that, Surfshark has no connection limit with unlimited bandwidth so you can protect every device you have with just one account. You can access national and international content directly on all your devices, including macOS, Windows, Android, iOS, Linux, Android TV, Firestick, and Gaming console. It can also be manually installed on supported internet routers.
Customer support is available via 24/7 live chat. All Surfshark plan comes with an insane 30-day money-back guarantee.
Why Using VPN in South Korea
There’s a good reason why you need a Virtual Private Network (VPN) in South Korea:
- Government Surveillance – Due to the political tension between North and South Korea, online censorship in the country has increased gradually. Websites have been restricted and so is the freedom of speech.
- Unblock global shows and movies – Isn’t it annoying when you’re trying to watch a film online or a video on YouTube and get blocked by a “This video isn’t available in your country” notification? A VPN can avoid this and unblocked restricted streaming platforms like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and more.
- Watch South Korean content – Some Korean social media and websites are only available to those living in South Korea. Using VPN with South Korea IP Address, you can work around this by connecting to a Korean server from outside the country.
- Keep your personal data safe – VPNs provide a safer and more private browsing experience by hiding your actual IP address. You can enjoy the internet anonymously, without having to worry about prying eyes.
- Unprotected Wi-Fi hotspot in Korea – Most of those hotspots such as coffee shops, airports, or hotels aren’t encrypted, leaving your online activities open to third parties. A VPN will keep your data protected from these hackers even on public WiFi.
Is VPN legal in South Korea?
Unlike North Korea where VPN is banned in the countries, using VPN is completely legal in South Korea. However, the South Korean government always continues developing new methods and techniques to limit its citizens from accessing content that finds objectionable on the internet. What you need is a reliable premium VPN service that is able to bypass internet censorship restrictions by the government.
Does every VPN have South Korean Servers?
South Korea is probably the second-most-common location in East Asia, after Japan.
Using Free VPN in Korea
It’s possible that you’ll be able to find a free VPN that works from inside South Korea. However, I strongly recommend against using one as some may sell your data to third parties to make money! This undermines one of the very reasons you want a VPN to protect your identity and data. You may also face limited server selection, interruptions speed, and capped bandwidth by using a free VPN in South Korea.
To guarantee your data and devices are secure, you should use a premium VPN like NordVPN. If you’re on a budget and want a VPN for use in Korea, consider SurfShark at an affordable price. You can access servers in several other countries.
Our Verdict: Choosing the South Korea Best VPN
With internet censorship in South Korea, you’ll need a VPN that can easily unblock restrictions and enhance your online travels. There are hundreds of Korean VPNs on the internet offering this internet service to enjoy unrestricted internet access.
But the top 5 South Korea Best VPN above are impeccable with top-notch online security with reliable access to blocked content around the globe. All are highly recommended for accessing the local and international content whenever and wherever you want while keeping your online identity safe and secure.
Our recommended best VPN for Korea is NordVPN with reliable speeds and military-grade encryption at a reasonable price tag, thanks to its 5,500+ servers in 59+ countries.
Quick Comparison Table of South Korea Best VPN
| VPN |  |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Security | AES 256-bit | AES 256-bit | AES 256-bit | AES 256-bit | AES 256-bit |
| Server | 5,500+ in 59+ Countries | 3,000+ in 94 Countries | 6,500+ in 140 Location | 700+ in 70+ Countries | 3,200+ in 63+ Countries |
| Connection | 6 Devices | 5 Devices | 10 Devices | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Compatibility | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, routers | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, routers | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, routers | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, routers | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, routers |
| Best Price | $3.30/month | $6.67/month | $2.88/month | $1.67/month | $2.49/month |
| More Info | Visit Site | Visit Site | Visit Site | Visit Site | Visit Site |
| Read Review | NordVPN | ExpressVPN | PureVPN | VyprVPN | SurfShark |