Charging any mobile phone when visiting South Korea

A step by step guide showing you how to recharge your mobile phone from a South Korean power outlet by using type B Micro USB cord with a Europlug Type C USB adapter and charging any mobile phone using a two pin Type F Schuko USB plug.

South Korean power outlet

Varying different combinations of voltages and standards can all be confusing when planning to travel to another country especially to the first time traveller. When you are travelling to South Korea this page has useful instructions showing how to charge your mobile phone by using the F or C type 220 volt 60Hz wall outlets, most South Koreans will normally use Type F wall outlets. If visiting South Korea from a different country ensure the mobile phone can accept a 240v supply. If your mobile phone originated in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110v) check the mobile phone is dual voltage (indicated by 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional voltage converter to prevent the device from overloading when charging it.

These instructions are for a generic mobile phone and assume the phone has a standard micro USB port, Bluetooth connectivity and a headphone socket. For all the latest phones please visit the Mobile phones page for a full list of makes and models.

Charging any mobile phone in South Korea

Can you use any mobile phone in South Korea?

Yes, you can connect any mobile phone to a South Korean power outlet.

What is the best travel adapter for any mobile phone in South Korea?

If travelling with more than just your mobile phone then the best travel charger for South Korea to buy is a multiple USB port charger which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. South Koreans use two different standards of power outlets (F and C) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for type C. As these types of chargers come with interchangeable pins and handle from 100 volts to 240 volts it makes them ideal for over 100 countries around the world simply by switching the supplied heads. If your type of mobile phone can support Fast Charge (not all USB devices do) then you'll benefit from quicker charging times by using one of these types of power adapters, and support for more power hungry devices. This will allow you to recharge multiple devices at once without needing to buy multiple travel chargers for your trip to South Korea or using up additional wall outlets. Only needing a single international travel charger will help keep the overall size and weight down, making it ideal to store in hand luggage as well as being convenient for recharging your mobile phone at the airport or on a flight. Because of their flexibility these types of travel chargers can be used back at home so when you’re not travelling they can be used overnight charging multiple phones and tablets without using up an additional wall outlet.

For those travelling frequently we suggest buying an adaptable power adapter of this nature at an electronics retailer, the power adapter illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully for powering multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries with perfect reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for South Korea

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country who only have USB devices such as the mobile phone, however for those also wanting to use their domestic plugs these power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power converters offer surge protection which is useful when visiting counties with unreliable power grids to prevent damage to any connected devices from voltage spikes. These travel converters come supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover Europe, America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China and over 150 destinations:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK travel adaptor has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the best selling compact power adapter for travellers originating from America going to South Korea.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Similarly having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the travel adapter from Orico is also aimed at travellers from America using type B plugs. This is a much cheaper alternative to the BESTEK with 1 less AC outlet at almost half price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has just 2 AC outlets but offers a generous 5 USB charging ports. This versatile power strip is compatible with both American plugs and popular plug types A, D,E/F, G, H, I, L and N making it perfect for a majority of travellers from around the world visiting South Korea. [7] [AD]
What is the best travel adapter for any mobile phone in South Korea?

How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your mobile phone from a South Korean power outlet

A step by step guide showing you how to recharge your mobile phone from a South Korean power outlet by using type B Micro USB cord with a Europlug Type C USB adapter.

  1. To power the mobile phone from a South Korean power outlet you will need to use a Type C USB power plug adapter [3] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [4].
  2. Start by taking the Type C USB power plug adapter and inserting it into the power outlet. The power supply (called the Europlug) can be identified by the 2 adjacent holes next to each other where the plug outlet pins go. Note that Type C power sockets might not be as common in South Korea as Type F outlets.
  3. Plug in the USB end of the Micro USB type B connector into the mains USB charger and the other end into the USB charging port on any mobile phone. These instructions assume your phone uses a Micro USB type B port. Please refer to the instructions supplied with your mobile to check this is correct and visit the Mobile phones page to see if your model is listed (please note you can usually connect the cable supplied with your mobile phone for charging with any USB charger).
  4. The USB charging port can typically be found either on along one side or on the bottom of the mobile.
  5. Turn on the South Korean power outlet.
  6. The battery indicator on your mobile phone should indicate that the device is charging, refer to the phone`s instruction manual to find out how long it will typically take. [AD]
How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your mobile phone from a South Korean power outlet

Charging any mobile phone from a South Korean power outlet by using a two pinned Schuko Type F USB adapter

Using USB type B cord and a 3 pinned Type F power adapter to charge your mobile phone from a South Korean power outlet.

  1. In order to power any mobile phone using the South Korean power outlet you'll need to buy a Type F USB power plug adapter [6] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [4].
  2. Firstly you'll need to insert the Type F USB power plug adapter into the South Korean power outlet. The round power outlet (known as the Schuko outlet) can be identified by two large holes 19 mm apart from each other and two thin metal grounding clips on the top and bottom. These are the most common sockets found in South Korea.
  3. Then connect the USB end of the USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable into the bottom of the USB mains charger and the other end into the USB charging port on any mobile phone. These instructions assume your phone uses a Micro USB type B port. Please refer to the instructions supplied with your mobile to check this is correct and visit the Mobile phones page to see if your model is listed (note that you can usually connect the cable which came with your mobile phone for charging with any USB adapter).
  4. The USB charging port can typically be found either on the bottom or side of the mobile phone.
  5. Switch on the South Korean power outlet.
  6. The battery indicator on the mobile phone should indicate that the phone is charging, refer to the phone`s instruction manual to find out how long it will take. [AD]
Charging any mobile phone from a South Korean power outlet by using a two pinned Schuko Type F USB adapter

See also

  1. Visitkorea - Korea Tourism Organization site
  2. iec.ch - Type C power outlet
  3. Type C USB power plug adapter - Conforming to Europlug specifications, the Type C USB power plug adapter incorporates two 4 mm rounded pins spaced 19 mm apart. It is engineered to adapt electrical outlets commonly found in Europe, converting them to USB-compatible charging ports..
  4. USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable - Used to connect USB devices which have a USB Mini-B port to computers, power supplies and other devices.
  5. iec.ch - Type F power outlet
  6. Type F USB power plug adapter - Compliant with Europlugs and CEE 7/17 specifications, the Type F or Schuko adapter is engineered to adapt German electrical power outlets into USB-compatible ports..
  7. 4 Port USB Wall Charger - A 4-port USB wall charger is an electrical device that provides simultaneous charging for up to four USB-compatible devices. It often includes interchangeable international plug adapters for global use..