Travel Adaptor for South Korea
& South Korean Plug Types
South Korea Plug Types & Sockets
- Voltage
- 110 / 220 V
- Frequency
- 60 Hz
South Korea uses plug types A, B, C and F with matching sockets. Voltage: 110 / 220 V, Frequency: 60 Hz.
Type C/F sockets are the most common so our recommendation for international travellers who need one is a type C/F plug adaptor for maximum compatibility.
South Korea Plug Adaptors
Best choice
Our Adaptor Recommendation
Our primary recommendation is for a type C/F plug adaptor as that will fit the most commonly found sockets in South Korea. You may however be presented with any one of the sockets shown (types A, B, C and F). In addition to our primary recommendation you might want to consider the secondary travel adaptors shown below if you want to be absolutely certain of being able to plug in and access power anywhere.
A simple unearthed adaptor is compact and enough for phone chargers and most travel electronics. Models with USB or USB-C ports are useful when charging several devices, while PD ports are suitable for compatible laptops. For earthed equipment or several mains-powered appliances, choose an earthed adaptor or power strip.
Our recommendations for the best South Korea travel adaptors ensure that you'll always be able to connect your plugs to the South Korean type A, B, C and F sockets.
Other Travel Adaptors You May Find Useful in South Korea
These are particularly important to consider if you have critical equipment (eg medical) to plug in and can't verify exactly what sockets will be present at your destination and need to cover all the possibilities.
Choosing the Right Power Adaptor
Having overcome the pesky differences in plug types and socket configurations you now need to decide what sort of adaptor suits your own, specific needs.
If you decide to buy an adaptor, here are some useful features to consider:
- Earthed vs unearthed adaptors
- Multiplug adaptors
- Extensions / power strip adaptors (great for families)
- Integral USB / USB-C ports for charging devices like phones and tablets
- Dedicated charging hubs with multiple ports
- USB-C port with power delivery (PD) using GaN technology for laptop charging up to 140W
- Universal adaptors (any plug to any socket) for the ultimate in versatility
- Combined transformer / adaptors
South Korea Electrical Supply
South Korea uses plug types A, B, C and F with matching sockets.
The electrical supply voltage is 110 / 220 V and the frequency is 60 Hz.
South Korea - Traveller Notes
Type F is normally found in offices, airports, hotels and homes. Type C (type CEE 7/17) sockets are obsolete as of 2008 but still found in a lot of places. In cases where a Type C socket was replaced with a Type F, the ground contact is often not connected to anything. 220 volt power is distributed by using both "live" poles of a 110 volt system (neutral is not used). 110 V/60 Hz power with plugs A & B were previously used but has already been phased out. Some residents install their own step-down transformers and dedicated circuits, so that they can use 110 V appliances imported from Japan or North America. Most hotels only have 220 V outlets, but some hotels offer both 110 V (Type A or B) and 220 V (Type C or F) outlets. Switches and outlets fit American-sized boxes.
Voltage Converters
Please be aware that whilst a power adaptor will allow you to physically insert a plug into a South Korean socket it will not change the voltage or frequency of the local mains supply.
Voltage - Multiple voltages are in use in South Korea (110V / 220 V). It is therefore necessary to verify what the voltage is locally before plugging in an appliance. Some countries use different sockets for the different voltages but this is not always the case so always check first. Single-voltage appliances that are not marked as being compatible with the local voltage may require a transformer or voltage converter.
Frequency - South Korea operates at 60 Hz, which is common in North and Central America. Most modern travel electronics are designed to work at either frequency and will be marked 50/60 Hz. Some appliances containing motors, clocks and other frequency-sensitive equipment may not operate correctly when used with a supply frequency they were not designed for. Check the frequency rating on your device before use; if it is marked 50/60 Hz, it is suitable for either frequency. If you are unsure, particularly with specialist or medical equipment, check with the manufacturer.
Most modern travel gadgets, chargers and laptops are dual voltage and will work worldwide; check the appliance or power supply for an input such as 100-240 V, 50/60 Hz.
If you have equipment that is not compatible with the South Korean supply voltage, check our transformers page for further information and available options for transformers and power converters that you can use in South Korea. Voltage converters and transformers only change the voltage, not the frequency, of the supply. Changing the frequency requires specialist frequency-conversion equipment, which is not normally practical for travellers.
If you need to take items like hair dryers / straighteners that draw high current then see our hair straighteners page for information on how it can affect your choice of travel adaptor.
South Korea Plug Type Specifications
Plug Type A
NEMA 1-15 class II unearthed, rated at 15A. Commonly found in Central and North America.
The plug has 2 flat blades 1.5mm thick, 15.9 - 18.3 mm long and spaced 12.7mm apart. The neutral blade is 7.9mm wide whilst the live is 6.3mm wide, meaning the plug is polarised and can only be inserted into the socket one way around. Some Japanese plugs have 2 equal width blades, making them unpolarised. Unearthed type A sockets have not been permitted in new buildings across the USA and Canada for many years but they can still be found in older buildings.
Plug Type B
NEMA 5-15 class I earthed, rated at 15A. Commonly found in Central and North America.
The plug has 2 flat blades 1.5mm thick, 15.9 - 18.3 mm long and 6.3mm wide spaced 12.7mm apart. There is also a 4.8mm round or U shaped earth pin which is 3.2mm longer than the 2 blades in order to ensure that the appliance is earthed before the live electrical connection is made. The earth pin is offset from the 2 blades by 11.9mm.
The blades are uninsulated, making them dangerous as a partially pulled out plug can remain connected but the blades are exposed and could be touched, particularly by the fingers of a small child.
Plug Type C
Plug type C (CEE 7/16) is the most widely used electrical plug in the world but most common in Europe. It has 2, insulated, 4mm round pins spaced 19mm apart and 19mm long. The spacing of the pins tapers to 17.5mm at the tips assisting in gripping the socket.
A second version (CEE 7/17) has 2, uninsulated, 4.8mm pins and is rated at either 10A or 16A for high power, unearthed appliances.
Type C sockets are being phased out in most countries around the world and are being replaced with their earthed equivalents (Types E and F in Europe).
Plug Type F
Plug type F (CEE 7/4) is primarily used in Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Eastern Europe and is rated at 16A. Commonly called the Schuko plug it has indentations top and bottom that contain metal contacts performing the earthing function. The plug has 2 4.8mm round pins that are 19mm long and spaced 19mm apart. Due to the symmetry of the plug it is unpolarised.
The socket is recessed by 15mm to prevent electrocution risk in the event of a partially pulled out plug.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Travel Adaptors for South Korea
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South Korea uses type A, B, C and F plugs. Type C/F are the most commonly used.
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South Korea uses type A, B, C and F sockets. Type C/F are the most commonly used.
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There are multiple sockets used in South Korea. For international travellers who need one, a type C/F adaptor would be a good choice as that will fit the most commonly found sockets.
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Multiple voltages are used in South Korea (110V / 220 V). Many travel gadgets are dual voltage and will work worldwide; check the appliance or power supply for an input such as 100-240 V, 50/60 Hz. The normal US voltage range is 114-126 V. Many appliances will also operate without a problem at lower voltages, but you should check the voltage requirements of critical or sensitive equipment. Single-voltage appliances designed for 120 V will require a voltage converter or transformer to operate safely with a supply of 220 V or higher. Do not plug a 120 V-only appliance into a 220 -240 V supply - it is dangerous.
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International travellers who need an adaptor can charge their phone in South Korea using their normal phone charger with a type C/F plug adaptor, which fits the most common sockets. Modern phone chargers are normally dual voltage, but check the input rating before use.
Alternatively, they can use a travel adaptor with built-in USB or USB-C ports and connect their phone directly with the appropriate charging cable. The adaptor's USB ports convert the local supply to the voltage required by your phone, so no separate voltage converter is needed. -
Yes, type C plugs are fully compatible with the type C/F sockets used in South Korea.
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Modern South Korean plug adaptors tend to be a hybrid type C/E/F design, which has 2 round pins, an integral earth socket and a pair of earth clips top and bottom. Here's a picture of a South Korea plug adaptor.
