Best VPNs for South Korea in 2025 – Fast, secure access

South Korea is renowned for its high-speed internet infrastructure, but it’s important to note that both residents and visitors may encounter a certain level of internet censorship. For those planning to travel to South Korea, considering a VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a wise decision.

Utilizing a VPN in South Korea can help you navigate through local internet restrictions and safeguard against surveillance concerns. By encrypting your device’s internet traffic, a VPN ensures that your online activities remain private and inaccessible to network administrators, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), or governmental entities. Additionally, a VPN is a valuable tool for accessing geo-restricted content that might not be readily available in South Korea.

This article guides you through the steps of setting up and using a VPN in South Korea. From installation to going online, we cover the essentials and recommend the most effective VPN tools for ensuring a seamless internet experience in South Korea, keeping in mind the key features suitable for this region.

Here’s our summary list of the best South Korean VPNs:

1. NordVPN The best VPN for South Korea. More security options than most VPNs. Proven zero logs policy. Superfast speeds and great at unblocking a variety of sites and streaming services. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for South Korea.
2. Surfshark A great budget VPN. A security and privacy-conscious service with excellent speeds, no connection limit, and the ability to easily bypass South Korean internet restrictions.
3. Total VPN Servers in South Korea and 84+ other countries provide fast speeds for streaming. Apps use strong encryption and have built-in leak protection. Low-cost subscriptions.
4. ProtonVPN Fantastic option for anyone serious about security. Has roughly a dozen ultra-fast servers in Seoul, South Korea, and comes packed with advanced privacy features.
5. ExpressVPN A fast VPN with servers in South Korea. Fast connection speeds and unblocks the most popular streaming services. Secure and private.
6. IPVanish A secure VPN pick for privacy in South Korea. Fast connections with up to 10 connections permitted. Enhanced privacy features, including 256-bit encryption.
7. CyberGhost A great VPN pick to protect all your devices. Versatile, inexpensive VPN, that offers one-click unblocking. Thousands of worldwide servers, including in South Korea.
8. PureVPN A no-logs provider offering dozens of servers in South Korea. Ideal for novices thanks to its impressive speeds, strong streaming ability, and 24/7 customer support.
9. Hotspot Shield An easy-to-use VPN for beginners. This service is speedy, with easy-to-use apps and powerful security features, making it a natural choice for South Korean users.
10. PrivateVPN A great VPN for unblocking in South Korea. Good unblocking potential. Has a no-logging policy, which makes it a secure option for South Korean users.

Our criteria for South Korean VPNs

With so many different VPNs on the market, it’s often difficult to compare one to another accurately. To find the best VPNs for South Korea, we looked for services that performed strongly in the following areas:

• Speed: We wanted VPNs that offered a fast, reliable connection for downloading, streaming, and more. To this end, we carried out several speed tests while connected to each provider’s servers in South Korea.
• Streaming access: We checked how many server locations each provider had in South Korea for an idea of availability, and then checked which streaming services they were able to access.
• Security and privacy: We used 16 different criteria for calculating providers’ security and privacy scores. This is a key area of importance, so we rejected any VPNs with low scores.
• Value for money: The most expensive VPNs aren’t necessarily the best, and low-cost VPNs aren’t always bad. To better judge relative value, we used eight unique criteria to compare providers.
• Ease of use: To help those users who want to get connected with the minimum of fuss, we looked for providers that were easy to use. We did this by evaluating them against 10 individual metrics.

You can find out more about how we test these metrics and, crucially, the results of those tests later on in our methodology section. First, let’s take a closer look at the VPNs that impressed us.

The best VPNs for South Korea compared

We’ve compared the most important features for the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for South Korea.

The best VPNs for South Korea: In-depth analysis

Here’s our list of the best VPNs for South Korea:

1. NordVPN

Aug 2025 Works in South KoreaTested Aug 2025

NordVPN is our top pick for a South Korea VPN. It has one of the largest server networks available, with more than 7,900 servers spanning 126+ countries. This includes South Korea, where it has more than 10 servers in the country’s capital, Seoul. These are easy to find in the NordVPN app, thanks to a handy map, search bar, and country list within easy reach.

NordVPN delivered exceptional performance in our tests, even when you’re using a server that’s far away. We tested its South Korean servers multiple times throughout the day and recorded an average speed of 169.73 Mbps.

It was a highly consistent service too, boasting just over 15 Mbps of variance across all tests. In other words, you can count on reliable performance, fast connections, and the ability to do multiple things simultaneously.

As well as being able to stream live HD video with no noticeable buffering, NordVPN unblocks some of the most popular streaming services, including Netflix, Hulu, and Sling TV.

This service includes a wealth of security features. It uses 256-bit strong encryption and protects against WebRTC, DNS, and IPv6 leaks.

Users can turn on automatic ad-blocking and malware-scanning, route their traffic through two VPN servers, or even access the Tor network in a single click. A split tunneling feature allows users to route only chosen apps’ traffic through the VPN tunnel (or vice-versa).

Split tunneling allows users to selectively use a VPN tunnel. The provider has its own homegrown connection protocols. NordLynx comes with the option of enabling post-quantum encryption. This protects traffic against attacks by quantum computers. NordWhisper obfuscates traffic so that users in countries with strict online censorship can get online. OpenVPN is also available for those who prefer an open-source alternative.

NordVPN has a strict no-logs policy, meaning your activities stay private at all times. Its policy has been validated by external auditors on several occasions. Furthermore, the company operates under the jurisdiction of Panama, which has no mandatory data retention laws.

If you’d like to register for the service anonymously, you can use a disposable email address and pay with mixed Bitcoin. Plans range from one month to two years, with the latter being by far the cheapest option.

NordVPN apps are available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. The service requires manual installation to work with network routers.

BEST VPN FOR SOUTH KOREA:NordVPN is our top pick. It enables you to perfectly tailor your security setup. It’s a strong, general-purpose VPN with high speeds, great unblocking ability, and servers optimized for specific tasks. Includes a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full NordVPN review.

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2. Surfshark

Works in South KoreaTested Aug 2025

Surfshark is a great low-cost alternative to NordVPN. It has more than 3,200 VPN server locations across 100+ countries. This includes South Korea, where it has 12 servers.

The provider also has static IP addresses in six countries, and allows users to set up their own multi-hop connections. Simply specify an entry and exit server, and Surfshark will do the rest.

Surfshark offers unlimited bandwidth and excellent unblocking ability, which means you won’t have any problems streaming South Korean services either locally or internationally. We successfully used Surfshark to access the South Korean libraries of Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney Plus.

Unlike most VPNs, Surfshark has no connection limit, and as such, you can protect every device you have with just one account.

NordVPN was the fastest provider we tested, but Surfshark really was hot on its heels. Across three tests, Surfshark delivered an average speed of 169.52 Mbps – just 0.21 Mbps less than first place.

This is more than enough for any everyday task, so whether you’re hoping to torrent large files or just watch SBS, Surfshark can help. In fact, everyone in your home should be able to browse the web without any noticeable slowdown.

This service takes your security seriously. It uses 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and protection against IPv6, DNS, and WebRTC leaks to keep your traffic secure. Users you can let certain apps bypass the VPN using the built-in split tunneling functionality.

Surfshark even has a NoBorders feature that lets you browse freely in countries with strict online blocking (like South Korea). For additional privacy, there’s a Rotating IP feature that changes users’ IP address without them needing to break the connection.

One of the provider’s more intriguing features is the Alternative ID generator. This allows users to create fake personas, complete with a name, address, and date of birth. Addresses are available in six different countries (though not South Korea).

Surfshark doesn’t keep any logs of user activity and has had multiple third-party audits to prove it. Users striving for yet greater anonymity can pay for subscriptions in Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Ripple.

Apps are functional and satisfying to use, with well-thought-out interfaces. Supported platforms include iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux. Surfshark can also be manually configured on supported internet routers. If you have any questions, the support team is available via 24/7 live chat.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark lets you browse the internet freely in South Korea, and its powerful security and privacy features mean you’re effectively untraceable once connected. This VPN is fast, allows an unlimited number of connections, and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Surfshark review.

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3. Total VPN

Works in South KoreaTested Aug 2025

Total VPN works well with the South Korean versions of Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. It’s also able to access country-specific services such as Hulu and BBC iPlayer.

Tested speeds ranged from 155.71 Mbps to 161.22 Mbps, with an overall average of 158.66 Mbps. Such consistently fast speeds are ideal for streaming in 4K or carrying out other relatively demanding tasks such as gaming.

Total VPN’s apps have an intuitive interface that’s great for users with little patience for learning how to use new software. Many of the features are built in, including leak protection and strong 256-bit AES encryption. The provider uses the speedy WireGuard protocol by default, though users can switch to OpenVPN, IPSec, or HYDRA.

Users have a choice of servers in 85+ countries. As well as South Korea, this includes China and Russia. Other features include split tunneling and a kill switch.

One of the most appealing things about Total VPN is its price. A one-year plan costs the equivalent of $1.59 a month and comes bundled with free antivirus and ad-blocking software. Subscriptions allow up to five simultaneous device connections. Supported platforms include Windows, Android, macOS, iOS, and tvOS.

FAST SERVERS:Total VPN provides speedy connections in South Korea and 84+ other countries. Apps are easy to use and come with built-in leak protection and a choice of four connection protocols. Subscriptions come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Total VPN review.

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4. ProtonVPN

Works in South KoreaTested Aug 2025

ProtonVPN has one of the largest networks currently available, with more than 11,100 servers in 117 countries. The provider has 12 servers in South Korea, and allows users to choose between them.

These servers worked with the vast majority of streaming platforms we tested, including the likes of Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and KBS.

Overall, this VPN delivered average speeds of 131.81 Mbps, which is a great result. Consistency could be improved, though it was still more than fast enough for streaming and gaming, even at its slowest.

So, while ProtonVPN’s servers in South Korea might not be the quickest we’ve seen, they’re still suitable for data-intensive tasks like video calling, torrenting, or streaming live TV.

A VPN’s primary goal is to enhance your privacy, and ProtonVPN offers plenty of tools to help you achieve this. It boasts effectively uncrackable encryption; a kill switch; leak protection; automatic ad, malware and tracker-blocking; and an independently verified no-logging policy.

The provider can keep your connection safe while using public Wi-Fi hotspots, and allows you to choose which apps and domains use the VPN tunnel, and which don’t. ProtonVPN is one of the few VPNs that allows port forwarding, making it a solid choice for torrenters.

Nestled among the available protocols is a Stealth mode, which obfuscates traffic that might otherwise be blocked on some networks. Note, however, that this doesn’t work in China.

Users seeking the utmost security will appreciate being able to route traffic through one of ProtonVPN’s Secure Core servers. These are housed in ProtonVPN-owned and operated data centers, and situated in privacy-friendly countries such as Iceland and Switzerland.

ProtonVPN offers apps for Windows, iOS, Linux, Android, and macOS. These are all open-source, which means anyone can view the source code. ProtonVPN’s website provides manual setup instructions for various router types.

ProtonVPN plans aren’t the cheapest, but the software is excellent — particularly for security-conscious users. Subscriptions allow up to 10 simultaneous device connections and provide access to support staff, day or night.

ZERO LOGS:ProtonVPN has an extensive set of privacy features and a proven no-logs policy, so there’s no need to worry about anyone monitoring your activities. Better still, it also offers first-class performance, a wide-ranging network, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our complete ProtonVPN review to learn more.

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5. ExpressVPN

Works in South KoreaTested Aug 2025

ExpressVPN is a user-friendly service offering secure access to more than 3,000 fast servers in 105+ countries. Connections are satisfyingly quick to establish, even when using servers in far-flung destinations (we were connecting to servers in South Korea from the UK).

The software is highly versatile, with excellent multi-platform support, and the ability to access platforms like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video. ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer service means that you can still access geo-restricted content using VPN-incompatible devices such as games consoles.

This provider has long been known for its steady speeds, and our testing revealed that its servers in Seoul are fast enough for all of your everyday tasks.

ExpressVPN delivered an average speed of 128.39 Mbps. Its fast speeds are at least partially due to its custom Lightway protocol (which helps minimize speed loss when using servers that are very far away), though network optimization has a part to play too.

This VPN protects your traffic with 256-bit AES military-grade encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and perfect forward secrecy. Apps include a kill switch that automatically blocks any data transfer if you disconnect unexpectedly, and users have the option of blocking ads, trackers, malicious sites, and adult sites.

Obfuscation is built-in to connections, making it easy to bypass blocks and get connected in restrictive countries such as China. Split tunneling is available if you want to connect particular apps to servers in South Korea (or anywhere else), whilst using other apps with a regular internet connection.

ExpressVPN offers 24/7 support over live chat. Best of all, this service doesn’t log any information that could identify you, and you can even pay with Bitcoin for increased anonymity.

ExpressVPN comes with apps for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux. It must be manually configured on routers, but ExpressVPN has custom firmware to make this as straightforward as possible.

On the whole, the service is extremely easy to use. This makes it a great option for those with no experience of VPNs who don’t mind paying a little extra in return for a convenient and slick service.

PRIVACY-FIRST VPN:ExpressVPN is an excellent all-rounder thanks to its fast download speeds, ease of use, expansive server network, and the number of services it can unblock. Plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

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6. IPVanish

Works in South KoreaTested Aug 2025

IPVanish is perfect for those looking to protect lots of devices, as it boasts lightweight apps, strong multi-platform support, and allows an unlimited number of connections at once.

The provider IPVanish has over 2,400 servers across more than 100 countries. There are 12 servers in South Korea, and users are allowed to choose between them — with the ping time and load helpfully provided for each.

IPVanish’s Korean servers were quick, with measured speeds of between 142.2 Mbps and 151.68 Mbps. Overall, the provider averaged 146.61 Mbps.

So what does this mean? Well, you can download a one-gigabyte file in roughly a minute or stream nearly a dozen 4K videos simultaneously. Not bad when you consider this VPN’s low price point!

IPVanish is a great option for streaming and works well for accessing the South Korean content libraries of major streaming platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

The provider protects new users right off the bat. Strong 256-bit encryption is enabled by default, as are DNS and IPv6 leak protection.

However, IPVanish’s security features don’t stop there: there’s also a kill switch (in both desktop and mobile versions), a LAN traffic blocker, OpenVPN obfuscation, and the ability to change IP address at preset intervals.

Split tunneling is available for both apps and IP domains, and there’s public wi-fi protection for when you’re out and about.

This service doesn’t log any information that could see your activities being traced back to you — and has had independent audits to prove it. Need help? No problem, customer support is available over live chat, 24/7.

IPVanish has apps for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire TV, and Fire TV Stick. It also works with Linux systems and select routers, but you’ll have to configure it manually.

Subscriptions are great value, with the cheapest costing the equivalent of $2.19 a month. However, it’s worth noting that the Advanced plan — which comes with 1TB of free cloud storage and a sandboxed secure browser — costs just over a dollar a month more.

UNLIMITED SIMULTANEOUS CONNECTIONS:IPVanish makes it easy to protect all of your connected devices at once. With high connection speeds and advanced security features on offer, it’s a solid general-purpose VPN. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full IPVanish review.

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7. CyberGhost

Works in South KoreaTested Aug 2025

CyberGhost takes the hassle out of online security. It currently has more than 11,500 servers across 100+ countries, making it easy to get a low-latency connection from anywhere in the world.

Furthermore, you can choose a task (such as torrenting, gaming or streaming) and view a list of suitable servers. For example, its streaming servers contain a list of servers optimized for particular platforms in a range of countries.

We successfully used CyberGhost’s streaming-optimized server in South Korea for watching Netflix. The provider also works with Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video, and a host of other services.

Streaming Netflix in 4K normally requires a connection of around 15 Mbps. In our tests, CyberGhost achieved an average speed of 139.6 Mbps, making it more than up to the task. Its speeds were extremely stable too, and varied by just 6.86 Mbps overall.

Although this VPN is designed to be as easy to use as possible, it has a good range of security features. There’s 256-bit AES encryption, for instance, as well as port forwarding, WebRTC, IPv6, and DNS leak protection.

Every version of CyberGhost comes with a kill switch, ensuring you don’t inadvertently browse without protection, even for a second. Split tunneling is available for selected domains, and users can activate public wi-fi protection when needed.

CyberGhost has plenty of customization options for users who want to streamline their connection. The software can be made to launch and connect when a particular app is opened. Alternatively, launching the software can cause a named app (like a favorite browser) to open.

The provider logs no personally identifiable information and has had third-party audits to verify this. The company itself is based in privacy-friendly Romania, where it has a data center containing its NoSpy servers. These provide a dedicated uplink and greater bandwidth.

CyberGhost has apps for macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android. Manual installation is required for Linux-based systems and wireless routers. Subscriptions start at the equivalent of $2.19 a month and allow allows up to seven simultaneous connections.

GOOD FOR NOVICES:CyberGhost is a low-cost friendly service that offers high speeds, the ability to unblock various streaming platforms, and comprehensive protection for people new to VPNs.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

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8. PureVPN

Works in South KoreaTested Aug 2025

PureVPN has a well-stocked server network, with around 6,000 servers in 65+ countries. This includes South Korea, where it has servers in Seoul. The provider also has streaming-optimized servers that automatically open the website of the platform that they’re optimized for.

During testing, we were able to access a wide range of streaming apps, including Disney+, Netflix, and KBS.

PureVPN is quick enough to deal with any day-to-day task. In our tests, it recorded an average speed of 130.94 Mbps.

In practical terms, this means you’re highly unlikely to notice any significant speed loss unless you’re already used to extremely fast connections.

This service is remarkably affordable, considering how strong its security offering is. By default, it keeps you safe using uncrackable encryption, a kill switch, and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks.

There’s also a tracker-blocking tool, app-based split tunneling, and the option to choose between the WireGuard, OpenVPN and IKEv2 connection protocols. A dark web monitoring service checks the dark web for evidence of exposed user data.

Port forwarding functionality is available for an additional monthly fee. Most importantly, PureVPN refuses to log any details of your activities. You don’t have to take the company’s word for it, either; it’s been professionally audited four times.

Users won’t see an option for traffic obfuscation in PureVPN’s settings. This is because it’s automatically applied to every connection, making it easier for users in China and other restrictive countries to get online.

PureVPN has its own apps for Windows, iOS, Android, Linux, and macOS. All of these — including the Linux app — have a full GUI. Its website provides manual setup instructions for anyone hoping to install this VPN on their router.

Users can protect up to 10 devices with a single subscription and contact staff at any time, day or night, via the live chat feature on PureVPN’s website.

FAST KOREAN SERVERS:PureVPN operates almost 50 servers in Korea, outpaces many of its competitors, and provides a great set of security tools. Better still, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans.

Our full PureVPN review will answer any questions you might have.

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9. Hotspot Shield

Works in South KoreaTested Aug 2025

Hotspot Shield has more than 3,000 servers spread across 80+ countries. To find servers in South Korea, users can scroll through the list of countries or use the search bar.

Hotspot Shield is a good option for streaming. During testing, the service worked with stubborn platforms like Netflix, as well as country-specific platforms such as KBS, Hulu, and ITV Hub.

Speed-wise, the provider performed solidly, with average speeds of 95.43 Mbps per our latest testing.

Users will be able to torrent, stream 4K video, or play online games without any noticeable lag, stuttering, or slowdown, which is great news for anyone hoping to share their VPN with family.

This VPN might have simplistic-looking apps, but don’t be fooled; there are numerous advanced security features built in. These include DNS and IPv6 leak protection, 256-bit encryption, and a kill switch that prevents you from browsing unprotected. If you’d like, you can choose certain websites to bypass the VPN, too.

Users travelling abroad can enable automatic public wi-fi protection and use Hotspot Shield’s proprietary Hydra protocol to obfuscate their traffic. This works in China, so it must be doing something right. The WireGuard and IKEv2 protocols are also available if needed.

Hotspot Shield doesn’t keep any personally identifiable information after your session ends. If you run into any trouble, you can contact customer support 24/7 over live chat.

Hotspot Shield has apps for Android, Windows, iOS, and macOS — all of which are easy for beginners to get to grips with. The software works with Linux systems and some home routers, too, but must be manually configured.

Subscriptions are available for 12 months or on a rolling monthly contract. In both cases, users are allowed up to ten connected devices at once. The 12-month plan comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free.

BROWSE UNRESTRICTED:Hotspot Shield is an excellent choice for anyone in South Korea. It’s fast, reliable, and comes with several advanced security features. Better still, this service boasts excellent unblocking ability and includes a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Hotspot Shield review.

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10. PrivateVPN

Works in South KoreaTested Aug 2025

PrivateVPN doesn’t have the largest network around (around 200+ servers in 63+ countries), but it does have servers in South Korea that work notably well with a wide variety of streaming platforms.

We successfully accessed Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video without issue. The provider also works with South Korean services such as KBS.

In addition to its streaming abilities, PrivateVPN is a great option for torrenting: it’s one of the rare providers that allows port forwarding. It’s also a good choice for users connecting from countries with a lot of censorship. Its Stealth mode is effective and easy to activate.

PrivateVPN’s apps have two versions, making them suitable for new users as well as old hands. There’s a simple view that presents users with a stripped-down dashboard for connecting intuitively.

Selecting “Advanced View” expands the dashboard to include information about the amount of data uploaded and downloaded, options to change the connection protocol, and options to change the level of encryption (more on this in a second). You’ll need the advanced view if you want to use port forwarding.

PrivateVPN had the lowest speeds of any provider we tested, but with an average of 64.50 Mbps, it’s still suitable for dealing with day-to-day tasks. Users will be able to stream multiple 4K videos simultaneously, torrent, or game without interruption.

We didn’t notice any significant change in performance based on the time of day, either, so that’s great.

This service uses 256-bit encryption by default, though users can lower it to 128-bit if they want faster speeds and don’t mind the reduced security. The software comes with a kill switch and protects against DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks.

Bitcoin payments are accepted, meaning you can register for a VPN almost completely anonymously by combining this with a disposable email address. Additionally, PrivateVPN has a strict zero-logs privacy policy. With your permission, support staff can even remotely connect to your computer and install or configure the software for you.

PrivateVPN offers apps for Windows, Android, macOS, Linux, and iOS. After some manual configuration, it even works with supported internet routers. Subscriptions are fairly priced, with a three-year plan costing the equivalent of $2 a month. Users are permitted up to 10 simultaneous device connections, which is more than enough for most people.

GREAT FOR STREAMING:PrivateVPN provides fast connections and allows you to unblock a wide range of geo-blocked services abroad. Further, its no-logging policy provides peace of mind for security-conscious users.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

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How to use a VPN to unblock the internet in South Korea

Here’s how to unblock websites in South Korea with a VPN:

1. Sign up for a VPN that works in South Korea. We recommend NordVPN.
2. Install the VPN app on your chosen app and log in with your new credentials.
3. Select a server in your desired location. To access geo-blocked services, you’ll have to use a server in the appropriate country, for example, the UK, for BBC iPlayer.
4. Go to your chosen site and enjoy the internet unrestricted.
5. If a given site still doesn’t work, try clearing your browser’s cache and cookies before reloading the page.

See also: How to get a Korean IP address

VPN for South Korea FAQs