Seoul Time Zone: The Complete Guide
Your complete guide to time in South Korea's dynamic capital and tech powerhouse
Whether you're coordinating with Samsung engineers, timing a K-pop livestream, or planning to catch cherry blossoms along the Han River — understanding Seoul's time zone is essential for anyone engaging with Asia's fourth-largest economy and one of the world's most technologically advanced cities.
Seoul operates on Korea Standard Time (KST), which is UTC+9 year-round. Like neighboring Tokyo, South Korea doesn't observe daylight saving time, making scheduling wonderfully predictable. Seoul shares its time zone with Japan, meaning both capitals always show identical time — a boon for the significant business traffic between these economic giants.
As home to global chaebols like Samsung, Hyundai, and LG, plus a thriving startup ecosystem and the world's fastest internet, Seoul operates at a pace that matches its connectivity. The city that never sleeps has 24-hour convenience stores on every corner, late-night Korean BBQ in Hongdae, and a work culture that often extends well beyond official business hours.
⚡ Quick Facts: Seoul Time Zone
Time Zone Details
- • Zone: KST (UTC+9)
- • Full Name: Korea Standard Time
- • Daylight Saving: Not observed
- • DST Period: Year-round
Location & Region
- • Coordinates: 37.6°N, 127.0°E
- • Region: Asia
Best Overlap Windows:
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Explore the Complete Guide
Business Hours
Banks, shops, chaebols, and office culture
Best Time to Visit
Cherry blossoms, autumn foliage, and festivals
Remote Work Guide
Working with Korean teams across time zones
24 Hours in Seoul
The city that never sleeps, literally
Best Time to Call
Optimal calling times from major cities
Stock Market Hours
KOSPI & KRX trading times
Korean Holidays
Seollal, Chuseok, and public holidays
Digital Nomad Guide
World's fastest WiFi and coworking
Time Difference
Seoul time compared to London, NYC, Sydney
Travel Planning
Flight times, Incheon tips, and transit
Understanding Seoul Time
KST: Perfectly Aligned with Tokyo
Seoul and Tokyo share UTC+9 with no daylight saving complications. This synchronization isn't coincidental — during Japanese colonial rule (1910-1945), Korea adopted Tokyo's time zone and kept it after independence. For modern business, this means Korean and Japanese markets, factories, and offices operate on identical schedules year-round.
Seoul is exactly one hour ahead of the UTC+8 bloc: Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taipei. This small gap makes East Asian business coordination relatively straightforward compared to trans-Pacific or Europe-Asia calls.
KOSPI: Asia's Trading Hours
The Korea Exchange (KRX) runs 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM KST with no lunch break — continuous trading for 6.5 hours. This overlaps significantly with Tokyo's TSE (9:00 AM - 3:00 PM JST) and partially with Hong Kong's HKEX and Shanghai's SSE. For Western investors, KOSPI action happens overnight — London sleeps while Seoul trades.
Seoul Time vs Major Cities
| City | Difference | When it's 12 PM in Seoul |
|---|---|---|
| 🎡 London | -9 hours | 3:00 AM |
| 🗽 New York | -14 hours | 10:00 PM (prev) |
| 🌴 Los Angeles | -17 hours | 7:00 PM (prev) |
| 🦘 Sydney | +1 hour | 1:00 PM |
| 🏙️ Dubai | -5 hours | 7:00 AM |
| 🗼 Paris | -8 hours | 4:00 AM |
| 🏦 Frankfurt | -8 hours | 4:00 AM |
| 🍁 Toronto | -14 hours | 10:00 PM (prev) |
* Times shown use standard time. During DST transitions, differences may vary by 1 hour. See detailed time differences →
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🚀Launch Meeting PlannerPractical Tips for Dealing with Seoul Time
🏢 For International Business
Seoul's 14-hour gap with New York is challenging but manageable. Evening EST (6-10 PM) catches Seoul's morning. For Europe, early morning GMT meetings (7-9 AM) reach Seoul's afternoon. Korean business culture values hierarchy and relationship-building — don't be surprised by after-hours 회식 (hoesik, dinner meetings). Chaebols (Samsung, Hyundai, LG) often work longer hours than Western norms. KakaoTalk is essential for business communication in Korea.
✈️ For Travellers
Flying from Europe takes 10-12 hours; from the US West Coast, around 12-13 hours. Seoul's jet lag is manageable from Europe (8-9 hours forward) but brutal from the Americas (essentially flip your day/night). The city's 24-hour culture helps adjustment — convenience stores, jjimjilbangs (spas), and Hongdae nightlife run around the clock. April (cherry blossoms) and October (autumn foliage) are peak tourist seasons. Check our Jet Lag Advisor for recovery tips.
💼 For Remote Workers
Seoul boasts the world's fastest average internet speeds — perfect for remote work. Europeans can catch Seoul's end-of-day (your morning); Americans typically work Seoul hours for key meetings (evening local time). Coworking spaces like WeWork Gangnam and local options in Seongsu-dong offer great facilities. Cost of living is moderate by Asian capital standards. Digital nomad visas are improving — check current requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time difference between Seoul and London right now?
Seoul is 9 hours ahead of London during GMT (winter), and 8 hours ahead during BST (British Summer Time, March-October). When it's 12:00 PM in Seoul, it's 3:00 AM in London (GMT) or 4:00 AM (BST). South Korea does not observe daylight saving time, so the difference only changes when the UK adjusts its clocks.
Does South Korea observe daylight saving time?
No, South Korea has not observed daylight saving time since 1988 (when it was briefly used during the Seoul Olympics). The country uses Korea Standard Time (KST, UTC+9) year-round. This makes Seoul time predictable and identical to Tokyo time throughout the entire year.
Is Seoul time the same as Tokyo time?
Yes, Seoul and Tokyo are always on the same time — both use UTC+9 year-round with no daylight saving. When it's 3:00 PM in Seoul, it's 3:00 PM in Tokyo. This makes business coordination between Korea and Japan seamless, which is important given the strong trade relationship between the two economies.
What time does the Korean Stock Exchange (KOSPI) open and close?
The Korea Exchange (KRX) opens at 9:00 AM and closes at 3:30 PM KST, Monday through Friday. Unlike Shanghai or Hong Kong, there's no lunch break — trading is continuous. For London investors, that's midnight to 6:30 AM GMT (winter) or 1:00 AM to 7:30 AM BST (summer).
What is the best time to call Seoul from New York?
The best time to call Seoul from New York is between 6:00 PM and 10:00 PM EST, which reaches Seoul during their morning business hours (8:00 AM - 12:00 PM KST next day). For afternoon Seoul time, 5:00-8:00 AM EST works well. Seoul is 14 hours ahead of New York (EST), or 13 hours during EDT.
How many hours ahead is Seoul from New York?
Seoul is 14 hours ahead of New York during EST (November-March), and 13 hours ahead during EDT (March-November). When it's 9:00 AM in New York, it's 11:00 PM the same day in Seoul (EST) or 10:00 PM (EDT). Korea doesn't observe DST, so the difference shifts when the US changes clocks.
What time zone is Seoul in?
Seoul is in Korea Standard Time (KST), which is UTC+9. This is the same time as Tokyo (JST) and one hour ahead of Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Singapore. The entire Korean peninsula (both South and North Korea) uses this time zone, though it wasn't always this way — North Korea briefly used UTC+8:30 from 2015-2018.
What are typical business hours in Seoul?
Standard Seoul business hours are 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM KST, Monday through Friday. However, Korean work culture often extends beyond this — 'dinner meetings' (회식, hoesik) and late hours are common, especially at chaebols (Samsung, Hyundai, LG). Banks open 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Department stores typically run 10:30 AM to 8:00 PM, with many staying open until 10:00 PM.
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