<\/span><\/h2>\nGenerally, Verizon phones are locked by default, so you’ll need to ensure that your phone is unlocked before trying to use it on one of the cellular networks in South Korea. Call the customer service number or visit a Verizon Wireless store to unlock your phone. Be sure to have your phone’s IMEI number when asking them to unlock your phone, as it will be required.<\/span><\/p>\nThere is no charge to unlock your phone, but it may take up to 48 hours for the unlock to be processed. Once your phone is unlocked, you can use it with any GSM carrier inside or outside the United States.<\/span><\/p>\nOne advantage to choosing a factory unlocked phone is that you don’t have to do anything before you put in a sim card from a carrier of your choosing.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/span>Is Verizon CDMA or GSM?\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\nVerizon used the CDMA digital standard in the past but has since moved onto the new HD Voice LTE standard. Verizon’s LTE network powers its 5G, 4G LTE, and 4G service. Since Verizon no longer relies on CDMA, most Verizon customers have a phone that supports using a sim card from a GSM network, like those used in South Korea.<\/span><\/p>\nInternational carriers use the GSM network standard with 900\/1800 MHz frequency bands, which means you can use your Verizon phone overseas. If you’re wondering, CDMA and GSM stand for Code Division Multiple Access technology (CDMA) and Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), respectively.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/span>How to buy a local sim card in South Korea (Trip planner)<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\nThere are several ways to buy a local SIM card in South Korea. The most common way is to purchase a prepaid SIM card from one of the three local mobile phone network operators (SK Telecom, KT olleh, and LG U+) or a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) like EGSIM, NeoKOSIM, and Link Korea.<\/span><\/p>\nOn arrival, you can buy a SIM card at the airport, from a local mobile phone retailer, at a supermarket, or even at some convenience stores. Due to regulations, you must provide your passport details to verify your identity.<\/span><\/p>\nAfter you install the South Korean SIM card in your phone, choose a pay-as-you-go plan that matches your calling, texting, and data requirements. Reloading your sim card credit is relatively inexpensive if it runs low.<\/span><\/p>\nIf you have a cell phone that supports eSIMs (newer iPhones), you can buy an eSIM online through providers such as\u00a0<\/span>Airalo for $32 for 7 days<\/span><\/a>\u00a0of service or $62 for 30.<\/span><\/p>\nRemember:<\/span><\/strong>