Does It Work InDoes It Work in South Korea?
East Asia · Last verified 2026-11-11South Korea has ultra-fast 5G and widespread credit card acceptance, but national security laws restrict Google Maps from offering walking or driving turn-by-turn directions.
Pre-departure takeaway: Google Maps cannot give walking or driving directions in South Korea—install Naver Map or KakaoMap in English mode before landing, and bring a physical chip card for T-money.
Service Compatibility Matrix (South Korea)
| Service / App | Status | On-the-ground reality & rules |
|---|---|---|
| Google Maps Walking & Driving Navigation | Workaround required | Only basic public transit routing works on Google Maps; walking and driving navigation are disabled by Korean map export laws—use Naver Map or KakaoMap. Read guide → |
| Travel eSIMs on SK Telecom / KT / LG U+ | Works | Data eSIMs work immediately upon landing; if you need a Korean 010 phone number for restaurant waitlists (CatchTable), book an airport eSIM with voice/SMS. |
| Foreign Credit Cards & Apple Pay | Conditional | Physical Visa/Mastercard chip cards work at 99% of stores and restaurants; Apple Pay works only at NFC-upgraded chains, and subway T-money reloads still require cash in KRW. |
In-Depth Guides for South Korea
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