How to Get a South Korean IP Address From Anywhere in 2024

Getting a South Korea IP can be tricky. Proxies, while convenient, don’t always offer servers in the country, and they don’t give you the security you need to stay safe, given the spike in cyberattacks on South Korean IPs. The Tor Browser is another possibility, but it’s far too slow for anything but basic browsing.

Overall, we found that a premium VPN with servers in South Korea is the best option for getting a secure and private IP for the country. However, not every VPN made the grade. We only selected VPNs that offered fast, uncongested servers in the country with military-grade security features to keep your data safe.

After testing 50+ VPNs, our top recommendation for getting a South Korea IP is ExpressVPN. Its robust security features protect your privacy and your devices, so you can safely access South Korean streaming, banking, news, and more from anywhere. Plus, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try all ExpressVPN features risk-free. Getting a refund is straightforward if the service is not for you. Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

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Short on Time? Here Are the Best VPNs for Getting a South Korean IP Address in 2024

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

How to Get a South Korean IP Address With a VPN: 2024 Guide

You can get a South Korean IP address with a VPN in a matter of minutes. A VPN is a simple app that provides you with a new IP from a location of your choosing and also offers a variety of security features to keep you safe online.

Setting up a VPN app is really simple. Here’s how:

1. Choose a VPN

First, you’ll need to pick a VPN with servers in South Korea. I recommend ExpressVPN since it has dozens of reliable servers in the country and the fastest speeds we’ve tested for accessing South Korean sites in the best possible quality from anywhere.

It took less than 5 minutes to set up my account

2. Download and Install the App

Once you’ve set up an account, you’ll be taken to a download page. From there, simply click the device you want to use the VPN on. You’ll see some simple instructions that guide you through downloading the VPN.

After the app has been downloaded, you may see some prompts for initial configuration. This may ask if you want to turn on the launch and connect on startup feature or send anonymous crash reports back to the supplier. You’ll usually get an option to turn these on in your settings later if you’re not sure whether you want them right now.

If you’re setting up your devices later, then make sure you go back to the official website (or your device’s official app store) to download the software. Unofficial versions may be out of date or harbor malware that can infect your devices.

You can even install it on routers to protect your game consoles, too

3. Connect to a Server in South Korea

Scroll down the server list to find a connection in South Korea. Note that some VPNs group servers together by continent or global region, so you might have to click on the Asia or Asia Pacific tab to find it.

If you’re using this server regularly, I recommend adding it to your favorites list (if your VPN has this, which most do). You can do this by clicking the star next to it in the server list. If you forget, don’t worry — most VPNs also have a feature where the last used server is displayed on the app dashboard, so you can reconnect with one click.

It only takes a few clicks to find a server and connect

4. Browse Safely With Your New South Korea IP

You are now free to access South Korean streaming platforms, news, and more from anywhere without experiencing any lag or quality drops. The VPNs listed below all have fast speeds, so if you’re in a country with good baseline connections, you won’t notice any changes or drops.

Each link we clicked loaded instantly, too

Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

Best VPNs to Get a South Korean IP From Anywhere in 2024

Get a South Korean IP address in just a few clicks with our top-recommended VPN services. These VPNs offer competitive prices, large server networks (including in South Korea), and fast speeds. They all support multiple devices for families and groups and come with reliable money-back guarantees.

1. ExpressVPN — The Fastest Speeds We Tested for Securely Accessing SK Content From Anywhere

Editor’s Choice Editor’s Choice Try Risk-Free for 30 Days
Tested December 2024

Works With:

Sky ESPN+ Dazn FIFA+

Netflix Disney+ APV More

Try ExpressVPN >

www.expressvpn.com

ExpressVPN’s speeds make it an excellent choice for UHD streaming, browsing, and downloading on South Korean platforms. While testing ExpressVPN, we had extremely fast speeds on local servers, with slowdowns of just 2%. This was unnoticeable, so you can expect reliable connections with its South Korea IP addresses wherever you are.

Such speeds are partly due to Lightway, ExpressVPN’s proprietary high-speed, low-code protocol. Since it’s so lightweight, it even conserves battery when browsing on your mobile device. Plus, it offers military-grade encryption and an automatic kill switch, so you can enjoy SK content securely from anywhere, even on unsecured public WiFi networks.

The only downside is that prices are a bit expensive, starting at $4.99/month. Luckily, ExpressVPN offers frequent discounts to help you save. I got 61% off my long-term subscription, plus 3 months of service free. All plans also include a 30-day money-back guarantee. I tested it myself using 24/7 live chat, and it was fast and reliable.

2. CyberGhost — Specialty Servers for Streaming, Gaming, and Downloading in South Korea and Abroad

Works With:

Sky ESPN+ Dazn FIFA+

Netflix Disney+ APV More

Try CyberGhost VPN >

www.cyberghostvpn.com

CyberGhost offers hundreds of specialty servers for secure streaming, gaming, and torrenting from anywhere. The streaming servers are optimized for specific platforms, and there’s even one for Netflix KR. In our tests, we had only minor slowdowns using CyberGhost’s streaming servers, recording an average of 7% on nearby connections. It’s not quite as fast as ExpressVPN, but still fast enough for UHD streaming.

Just be mindful of CyberGhost’s short-term plan, which is expensive and only has a 14-day money-back guarantee. Fortunately, its long-term subscriptions are affordable at $2.19/month and come with a generous 45-day money-back guarantee.

3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Adjustable Settings to Tailor Your Connections for South Korea

Works With:

Sky ESPN+ FIFA+ Netflix

Disney+ APV More

Try Private Internet Access >

www.privateinternetaccess.com

PIA has tons of adjustable settings to modify your South Korean connections. We used the standard 256-bit encryption on unsecured networks, where malicious actors could easily snoop on our data. However, 128-bit encryption worked well for streaming without significantly reducing security. You also get Multi-Hop servers that combine the VPN with a proxy to double your protection, which ExpressVPN and CyberGhost don’t offer.

In fact, VPN beginners may find PIA’s wealth of features a little overwhelming. But, if you’re a techie like me, you’ll revel in how many different settings you can tweak. Prices are competitive, starting at just $2.19/month and come with a trusty 30-day money-back guarantee.

Our Methodology for Testing VPNs for South Korea

We followed a stringent testing methodology when selecting VPNs to get a South Korean IP. Firstly, we made sure each VPN had reliable servers in South Korea with regularly updated IPs. Next, we made sure speeds were fast enough for streaming in the best possible quality from anywhere. Finally, we ensured each service had a standout feature that made it unique.

For all the details on our testing, visit our methodology page. It gives you the full breakdown of the processes we utilize to bring you the latest cybersecurity news and info. Feel free to use it as the basis for your own tests.

Other Ways to Get a South Korean IP

While a VPN is the best solution for obtaining a South Korean IP address, there are alternative methods. Each is suited to different requirements for privacy, speed, and usability. However, it’s worth noting that these methods aren’t as reliable, particularly on restrictive or public WiFi networks.

• Proxy. Proxies act as an intermediary between you and the internet, enabling you to mask your original IP address. It's important to note that proxies don’t encrypt your data, offering less security but sometimes faster speeds than VPNs. Also, many networks and services block known proxy IPs.
• Tor Browser. Tor is a standalone browser that supports anonymous communication by routing your traffic through multiple nodes, obscuring your real IP address. This method greatly increases your online anonymity but at the cost of much slower browsing speeds. Also, while it does hide your real IP, it’s unlikely to replace it with one from South Korea.
• Smart DNS services. This technique routes your data request through a private, alternative DNS server. This is particularly effective for accessing streaming services in good quality. While Smart DNS doesn’t provide encryption or hide your IP completely, it’s a favored option if you prioritize speed over privacy.

Does South Korea Have Any Internet Restrictions?

South Korea has laws and regulations to restrict content deemed harmful or illegal, such as pornography, unrated games, and pro-North Korean content. South Korea's National Security Law also imposes restrictions on online activity considered a threat to national security. So, ensure you know the rules and regulations before visiting South Korean websites.

In addition, South Korea has a real-name verification system for some online services, such as social media platforms, which require you to provide your real name and national ID number. This is designed to prevent anonymous online activity and discourage cyberbullying and other forms of online harassment.

South Korea’s defamation laws are extremely strict, too. Even if what you say is the truth, you can still be charged if you’ve harmed somebody’s reputation. While a VPN secures your connection to protect you from anyone spying on your data, you’re still entirely responsible for what you post. Always be careful what you say online, particularly on websites in South Korea.

Also, you should be aware that any South Korean goods you buy may be subject to a 10 to 20% export tax if you want them delivered elsewhere. This isn’t always obvious when you’re browsing SK e-commerce sites.

FAQs on Getting a South Korean IP Address With a VPN

Is using a South Korean IP address legal?

Yes, using a South Korean IP address is legal. Using a VPN to acquire one is also legal almost everywhere. Plus, a VPN encrypts your data to keep you safe on any network, which is why it’s our recommended solution for getting a South Korean IP.

However, it’s worth noting that there are a few countries where VPNs are illegal or restricted, such as China, Russia, and Iran. So, you should always check your local laws and regulations before using a VPN.

How can I check if I'm using a South Korean IP address?

Use an IP Lookup website to quickly check if you're using a South Korean IP address. An online tool such as vpnMentor’s IP Info checker will show you your IP address. First, launch your VPN and connect to a South Korean server, open the tool, and let it run for a few seconds. You know you're good if it displays a South Korean IP address.

Can I use a free VPN to get a South Korean address?

It is possible but not recommended. Free VPNs often have limited server networks, which may not include South Korea. This can result in slow connection speeds. A premium VPN with a money-back guarantee is a better alternative. It has more servers, including ones located in South Korea. Plus, you can try out the service risk-free and get a refund if unsatisfied. Paid VPNs also offer strong encryption, protecting your online privacy and securing your data.

Some free VPNs collect and sell your data to advertisers for a fee; others have been found to embed malware in their apps. Another problem is that they enforce restrictions and limits, such as data caps and smaller server networks, which lead to slow and overcrowded servers.

To summarize, these are the best VPNs to get a South Korean IP from anywhere...

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

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