If you’ve ever wanted to access content exclusive to Korea or mask your IP address to make it look like you’re in the country, you might have considered using a VPN.
Many millions worldwide use some of the top-tier VPN solutions to get a Korean IP address and access services reserved for residents of the country, so you’re not alone.
In this guide, we’re taking a close and comprehensive look at three of the best VPNs in Korea, breaking down the top services you can use to secure that Korean IP address.
To achieve that, we’re examining NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN.
Why use a VPN for Korea?
Most people will rely on a VPN to access content that might be ‘geo-blocked’ where they live. This typically includes streaming services or television shows and movies exclusive to a certain region – in this case, Korea.
Elsewhere, you’d traditionally rely on a VPN to help mask your identity online, spoofing your location to help stay anonymous, regardless of what you’re doing on the internet.
If you’re a gamer, you might be using a VPN for Korea to connect to game servers in the country or to play with users close to that region.
VPNs are some of the most tried and tested technologies online today, and from avoiding strict data retention policies to even reducing your ping and potentially boosting your internet speed, they have plenty of uses, both in Korea and worldwide.
Are VPNs legal in Korea?
Korea might have some fairly notorious internet censorship rules, but using a VPN is perfectly legal.
Many operators have powerful VPN networks strewn across the country, covering a wide array of the largest cities in the nation, such as Seoul.
However, while it’s legal to use a VPN in Korea, there are still those who will use a VPN for nefarious deeds.
It’s not illegal to run a VPN in Korea, but that doesn’t mean you can’t wind up in hot water if you’re using that VPN for malicious or criminal activities.
The best VPN for Korea in 2024
As mentioned, we’re looking closely at NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN as options for securing a Korean IP address.
They’re three of the best VPN platforms in the world, so you’ll be in safe hands no matter which one you choose.
NordVPN
NordVPN is perhaps the most prolific VPN provider in the world. It has spent many years building up a solid brand and is one of the most widely-marketed services in the business.
If you’re looking for the best VPN for Korea, you can’ to go wrong with NordVPN.
Not only does NordVPN operate a wide server infrastructure, but it uses both open-source and proprietary encryption protocols to keep you as safe as possible online.
It typically offers unlimited bandwidth, solid and stable internet speeds, a rigid no-logs policy, and data encryption as standard.
How many Korean server locations does NordVPN offer?
NordVPN operates 10 servers in Korea, all of which are located in and around Seoul.
It’s worth stressing that the servers aren’t yet as advanced as they are in some countries, so you won’t have access to obfuscation or NordVPN’s Double VPN mechanic, but they’re features that could be implemented later.
Does NordPVN have a no-logs policy?
NordVPN operates a rigorous no-logs policy on a global scale, applying a blanket ruling on the platform regardless of where you are.
That means that you’ll be able to connect to Korea safely in the knowledge that your data isn’t being stored anywhere, nor are your activities.
How much does NordVPN cost?
NordVPN is available on a subscription basis, and like many other services, the longer you sign up, the better the deal you get.
For instance, a monthly subscription to the Ultimate plan will cost you around $12.89 per month, but securing a two-year plan and paying upfront drops that cost to around $5.09 a month.
At the bare minimum, you’ll be paying $10.19 for a monthly subscription of the Basic tier, or $2.39 a month on a two-year plan. NordVPN doesn’t offer a free trial, though – but it does have a reliable money-back guarantee.
Surfshark
Surfshark is one of the more modern and dynamic VPN providers on the market, offering an affordable and capable service that’s the go-to choice for gamers worldwide.
It’s a diverse service, though, boasting best-in-class encryption protocols and plenty of features to keep you safe while you browse Korean content online.
This multi-platform VPN service works with almost any device, so it couldn’t be easier to get a Korean IP address no matter what you’re using.
Surfshark’s server network is stellar and both tried and tested and in Korea, the servers are boosted with various enhancements.
How many Korean server locations does Surfshark offer?
Surfshark has a monumental network of servers totalling more than 3,200, but it hasn’t clarified how many of those servers are operational in Korea.
It does offer a range of servers around Seoul, all of which are backed up with various bonus features:
- Private DNS
- Camouflage Mode
- Extension Support
Does Surfshark have a no-logs policy?
Surfshark boasts one of the best no-logs policies in the VPN world, ensuring that everyone from your ISP to the providers of the platforms you use cannot track your data.
It’s a highly encrypted service that’s guaranteed to keep your data safe and hidden from anyone who might be prying.
How much does Surfshark cost?
Surfshark typically costs most than competing services on a month-by-month basis. For instance, it’ll set you back around $14.99 a month for Surfshark One+, the highest subscription tier that the company offers.
However, leaning on a bulk subscription works out phenomenally well. For a two-year subscription (paid for upfront), you’ll be paying just $1.69 for Surfshark Starter or $3.29 for Surfshark One+.
Surfshark doesn’t offer a free trial to test out these features, but it does have a reliable 30-day money-back guarantee.
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is one of the best all-rounder VPN services for streaming movies, browsing foreign social media platforms, or playing games online.
It’s a brilliant option for a Korean VPN, and it works on every device from gaming consoles to smart televisions, and from web browsers to tablets.
If you want to stream Korean television shows or buy things from a storefront only available in Korea, ExpressVPN is one of the best choices out there.
ExpressVPN also recognises some of the stringent censorship laws in Korea and offers a service fine-tuned to get around those blockers
How many Korean server locations does ExpressVPN offer?
ExpressVPN hasn’t clarified how many server locations it offers in Korea, but it has stressed that they’re all centred around Seoul, the country’s capital city.
Further, every VPN server in Korea under the ExpressVPN banner offers one of the best assortments of encryption protocols you’ll ever see, which means there’s something guaranteed to suit your needs.
Does ExpressVPN have a no-logs policy?
ExpressVPN is rated as one of the best providers for anonymity and online security, and given how advanced it is in terms of encryption, that’s certainly true.
It boasts one of the strong no-logs policies around, which ensures that nothing you do online can be tracked by anyone.
In fact, you can become so anonymous with ExpressVPN that you can pay for the service using cryptocurrency, keeping you increasingly well hidden even from the company itself.
How much does ExpressVPN cost?
ExpressVPN offers a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee as standard, which is a huge win for anyone sitting on the fence in terms of investment.
ExpressVPN also offers one of the simplest services you’ll find. When you subscribe to ExpressVPN, you’ll be getting every tool and feature wrapped up in one subscription bundle, which means you don’t need to worry about tiers.
To that end, a month-by-month subscription to ExpressVPN will cost around $9.99 per month, while a two-year subscription plan will set you back around $4.60 per month. It’s always better value to buy in bulk.
My choice of VPN
I’m a huge fan of ExpressVPN. It’s a reliable and drastically popular service that’s a win with tens of millions of people worldwide. It also runs nicely on almost any device and has a clean application interface that’s welcoming for newcomers to the VPN world.
I also love that ExpressVPN is a simplified service and that it offers everything under one banner, rather than dividing up elements under different tiers.
As a gamer, ExpressVPN is perfect for me, but it’ll also work great for anyone looking to get a Korean IP address for whatever reason.
From my experience, ExpressVPN is hands down one of the best VPN services available now.
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