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Time in South Korea Now
East Asia Current Time
What Time Is It in South Korea Right Now With Seconds
South Korea follows Korea Standard Time (KST, UTC +9) throughout the entire year.
The country, located in East Asia, does not observe Daylight Saving Time (DST), so the current-time remains consistent across all provinces and major cities.
As a result, Seoul, Busan, Incheon, Daegu, and Daejeon stay synchronized year-round, supporting efficient national communication, transportation, business operations, and international coordination.
Current time zone info for South Korea
IANA Time Zone: Asia/Seoul
UTC Offset: UTC +9 hours
Time Format: 24-hour clock
DST Observed: No
Time Zone Abbreviation: KST (Korea Standard Time)
South Korea uses a fixed whole-hour offset, aligning closely with Japan and parts of Eastern Russia.
South Korea time zone(s)
South Korea uses a single national time zone across the entire country.
| Time Zone | Example City/Region | UTC Offset |
|---|---|---|
| Korea Standard Time (KST) | Seoul, Busan, Incheon, Daegu, Daejeon | UTC +9 |
The official IANA identifier for South Korea is Asia/Seoul.
Daylight Saving Time in South Korea
South Korea does not observe Daylight Saving Time (DST). DST was last used several decades ago, but it is no longer practiced.
The country remains on UTC +9 all year, ensuring consistent scheduling for government, travel, and digital systems.
This stability eliminates the confusion of seasonal clock changes.
Major cities in South Korea & their time
| City | Time Zone | Typical Offset |
|---|---|---|
| Seoul | KST | UTC +9 |
| Busan | KST | UTC +9 |
| Incheon | KST | UTC +9 |
| Daegu | KST | UTC +9 |
| Daejeon | KST | UTC +9 |
All major Korean cities follow the same standard time.
Brief info for South Korea time
Number of time zones: 1 (nationwide)
Capital city: Seoul
Default time zone: Korea Standard Time (KST)
Daylight Saving Time: Not observed
IANA Time Zone ID: Asia/Seoul
Standard UTC offset: +9 hours
DST UTC offset: Not applicable
Time format: 24-hour system
Neighbouring countries with same time: Japan
Regional differences: None — uniform time nationwide
For verified background, see 👉 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_in_South_Korea
Pros and Cons
Pros
Single national time — simplifies nationwide schedules.
No DST — stable clock year-round.
Whole-hour offset — easy for global coordination.
Consistent with Japan Standard Time (JST).
24-hour format widely used in public systems.
Cons
Early winter sunsets due to fixed offset.
Time difference with Western countries can limit communication windows.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time zone does South Korea use?
South Korea uses Korea Standard Time (KST, UTC +9).
Does South Korea observe Daylight Saving Time (DST)?
No, South Korea does not observe DST. The time remains the same year-round.
When did South Korea last use DST?
DST was used historically in the mid-20th century but has not been used for many decades.
What is South Korea’s official IANA time zone ID?
The IANA identifier for South Korea is Asia/Seoul.
Do neighbouring countries share the same time as South Korea?
Yes, Japan also uses UTC +9. China uses UTC +8, making South Korea one hour ahead.
Is the local time in South Korea accurate online?
Yes. Devices and online clocks using Asia/Seoul show accurate current time.
How can I check the time difference between South Korea and another country?
You can use a time converter to compare South Korea Time (KST) with any global zone.