Best VPNs for South Korea in 2025
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As of December 2024, I confidently recommend NordVPN as the best VPN for Korea. Its lightning-fast speeds ensure seamless streaming and browsing, while its extensive server network – including servers optimized for South Korea – guarantees reliable connections. Plus, with robust security features like Threat Protection and a strict no-logs policy, NordVPN keeps your online activity private and secure. Whether you're accessing local content or staying protected on public Wi-Fi, it’s the top choice for peace of mind and performance.
Top 5 best South Korea VPNs
- NordVPN – the best South Korea VPN overall
- Surfshark – cheapest VPN for South Korea
- PureVPN – VPN with city-specific connection for South Korea
- ExpressVPN – VPN with a great user experience for South Korea
- CyberGhost – VPN with the largest server fleet in Korea
Staying secure and private online in South Korea can be tricky due to content blocks and online restrictions affecting both locals and visitors. Whether you want to stream international shows, bypass censorship, or safeguard your personal data, a reliable VPN is a game-changer.
With a VPN, you can hide your IP address, overcome geo-restrictions, and enjoy a safer, more open internet. In this guide, I’ve reviewed the best VPNs for South Korea – ranking them by security, speed, server options, and ease of use – so you can find the perfect match for your needs.
What to look for in a VPN for South Korea?
Choosing the right VPN service for you determines how protected you are. That’s why knowing the main characteristics that a South Korea VPN should have is crucial:
- Strong encryption. Market-leading AES-256 encryption ensures that your data won’t be accessible for your local or foreign (for example, North Korean) government and other third parties.
- Kill switch feature. A functional kill switch is essential as it protects your IP address even when a VPN connection is lost.
- Privacy policy. It's best to choose those VPN services that collect as little personal data as possible, don’t collect your activity logs, and have their no-logs policies audited.
- South Korean servers. First and foremost, a VPN should have servers in South Korea that allow you to enjoy South Korean content wherever you are. Moreover, the bigger the server fleet, the better as it decreases the chances of using overcrowded servers.
- Speed in South Korea. When choosing a VPN for South Korea, speed is a crucial factor to consider. Whether you’re connecting from South Korea to servers in other countries or accessing South Korean servers from abroad, consistent and high-speed performance ensures smooth streaming, quick downloads, and seamless browsing.
- Compatibility. A reputable VPN will have applications for all major operating systems and features, like Smart DNS, to share a protected connection for those devices that don’t support VPNs. Also, it’s important that a VPN allows a bigger or unlimited number of simultaneous connections so that you can protect all of your home devices.
The best VPNs for South Korea – detailed list
Below, I have put the top 5 VPN services for South Korea into a list after testing a dozens of VPNs in terms of security, privacy, performance, and more.
1. NordVPN – best VPN for South Korea in 2025
| Rating: | |
| Based in: | Panama |
| Servers in South Korea: | ✅ Yes |
| Servers/countries: | 7100+ servers in 118 countries |
| Average speed: | 467Mbp |
| Streaming services: | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more |
| Current deal: | Get 72% OFF NordVPN |
What we liked about NordVPN
NordVPN stands out as the best VPN service for South Korea, offering unmatched security, privacy, and performance. With an extensive server fleet in 118 countries, it easily bypasses geo-restricted content while ensuring top-notch AES-256 encryption and a strict no-logs policy. Due to the NordLynx tunneling protocol, users experience some of the fastest connection speeds without compromising safety.
What we didn’t like about NordVPN
NordVPN is great for streaming in South Korea, but it has a few limitations. It doesn’t offer a free version, requiring upfront payment, though there's a 30-day money-back guarantee. Streaming speeds can occasionally slow on busier South Korean servers, especially with HD content, but switching servers helps. Additionally, the six-device limit may be restrictive for larger families or multiple users.
Is NordVPN a good VPN for South Korea?
From my experience, NordVPN is one of the best choices for users in South Korea. The 30-day money-back guarantee allows a risk-free trial, and I found its speed and reliability impressive, especially for streaming. The server variety and strong encryption make it easy to bypass restrictions and access global content. Overall, NordVPN provides a solid blend of performance and privacy that works well in South Korea or when connecting to South Korea from abroad. You can learn more about the features and performance in our NordVPN review.
2. Surfshark – South Korea VPN for unlimited devices
| Rating: | |
| Based in: | The Netherlands |
| Servers in South Korea: | ✅ Yes |
| Servers/countries: | 3200+ servers in 100 countries |
| Average speed: | 461Mbps |
| Streaming services: | Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and more |
| Current deal: | Now up to 86% OFF Surfshark + 3 months FREE |
What we like about Surfshark
What I liked about Surfshark is its strong performance and robust security. With over 3200 servers, including in South Korea, it unblocks streaming sites and supports torrenting. The WireGuard protocol ensures fast speeds, while AES-256 encryption and a no-logs policy keep your data secure. Surfshark also offers features like split tunneling, obfuscated servers, and antivirus protection, making it a solid choice for both beginners and advanced users.
What we didn’t like about Surfshark
While Surfshark offers a lot of great features, it could improve in a few areas. First, its server network, though large, can sometimes experience minor congestion during peak hours, slightly impacting speeds. Additionally, while the user interface is generally easy to use, some advanced settings could be more intuitive for beginners. Lastly, although Surfshark offers excellent value for money, its longer-term plans might feel a bit expensive compared to some other budget-friendly options.
Is Surfshark a good VPN for South Korea?
From my experience, Surfshark is a great VPN for South Korea. With servers locally and worldwide, it offers easy access to both local and international content. Its security is solid, backed by independent audits, AES-256 encryption, and RAM-only servers. The built-in antivirus is a standout feature – protecting against malware, adware, and more – making it a fantastic all-in-one tool. With fast speeds thanks to WireGuard, Surfshark is reliable for both streaming and privacy in South Korea. Find more information you need in our Surfshark VPN review.
3. PureVPN – security-oriented South Korea VPN
| Rating: | |
| Based in: | British Virgin Islands |
| Servers in South Korea: | ✅ Yes |
| Servers/countries: | 6000+ servers in 65 countries |
| Average speed: | 467Mbps |
| Streaming services: | Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube |
| Current deal: | Now 83% OFF PureVPN + 2 FREE months |
What we liked about PureVPN
I liked PureVPN for its always-on audit system, which ensures no hidden security gaps, and its impressive network of 48+ servers in South Korea. It offers fast speeds with WireGuard, making it great for streaming, torrenting, and browsing. Extra features like split tunneling, port forwarding, and a password manager add-on enhance its versatility. Starting at $2.14/month, it’s a solid, affordable choice for users in South Korea.
What we didn’t like about PureVPN
Customer support can be slow, and the free trial is limited compared to other VPNs. While speeds are generally good, I had trouble accessing the South Korean Netflix library, often getting the US version instead. There's also no dedicated IP option, which may be a dealbreaker for some. Despite these issues, PureVPN remains a solid choice for many users.
Is PureVPN a good VPN for South Korea?
PureVPN is a solid option for South Korea, with 48+ servers in the country and strong speeds for streaming, browsing, and torrenting. Its always-on audit system ensures security, and features like split tunneling and port forwarding add flexibility. While there may be occasional issues with accessing some Netflix libraries, it's still a reliable choice for secure, unrestricted internet access in South Korea. Find out more about the provider from our PureVPN review.
4. ExpressVPN – a fast and premium South Korea VPN
| Rating: | |
| Based in: | British Virgin Islands |
| Servers in South Korea: | ✅ Yes |
| Servers/countries: | Thousands of servers in 105 countries |
| Average speed: | 453Mbps |
| Streaming services: | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more |
| Current deal: | Now up to 61% OFF ExpressVPN + 4 months FREE |
What we liked about ExpressVPN
I liked ExpressVPN for its fast speeds, strong security, and privacy features. With AES-256 encryption, a no-logs policy, and a kill switch, it ensures safe browsing. Its extra tools like Threat Manager and split tunneling, along with reliable performance, make it one of the top choice for users in South Korea.
What we didn’t like about ExpressVPN
Its price, at $4.99/month, is on the higher end compared to some other VPN providers, which might be a concern for those on a budget. Additionally, it only allows up to 8 simultaneous connections, which could be limiting for larger households or users with multiple devices. While generally fast, some users may experience slower speeds when connecting to servers located far from South Korea or other regions.
Is ExpressVPN a good VPN for South Korea?
In my opinion, ExpressVPN is a great choice for South Korea. It offers fast speeds, strong security with AES-256 encryption, a no-logs policy, and a kill switch. With 105 server locations, it reliably unblocks local and international content. However, it’s a premium option with a higher price tag. If you’re still wondering, make the right choice by reading our Express VPN review.
5. CyberGhost – a robust South Korea VPN
| Rating: | |
| Based in: | Romania |
| Servers in South Korea: | ✅ Yes |
| Servers/countries: | 11500+ servers in 100 countries |
| Average speed: | 422Mbps |
| Streaming services: | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+ |
| Current deal: | Get 84% OFF CyberGhost + 4 months FREE |
What we liked about CyberGhost
I liked CyberGhost for its strong performance and affordability. With 11,500 servers across 100 countries, including 24 in South Korea, it ensures stable access and helps avoid speed throttling. Offering AES-256 encryption, a no-logs policy, and support for multiple protocols, it's a reliable choice at just $2.19/month.
What we didn’t like about CyberGhost
While CyberGhost offers stable connections, it’s not the fastest VPN on the market. The speed difference might affect heavy usage, like large downloads or high-definition streaming. Additionally, some users may find its customer support response times a bit slower than expected.
Is CyberGhost a good VPN for South Korea?
CyberGhost is a good VPN for South Korea. With 24 servers in the country, it provides stable access and helps bypass geo-restrictions or avoid internet speed throttling. In my experience, its speeds aren’t the fastest, but it offers reliable connections for browsing, streaming, and general use, especially with its secure AES-256 encryption and no-logs policy. The affordability and wide server coverage make it a solid option for users in South Korea. To learn more, read our CyberGhost review.
How we selected and tested these South Korea VPNs
The main mission of a South Korea VPN is to guarantee complete online security and freedom. Here’s a list of criteria that has helped me and the Cybernews research team pick VPNs that can accomplish this mission:
- Robust security. While testing each VPN, we checked for the most advanced encryption, like AES-256 and/or XChaCha20, and the kill switch feature that protects your IP address whenever a VPN connection drops.
- Reliable privacy policy. We have thoroughly read every tested VPN’s privacy policy and made sure it had a clear statement of the no-logs policy. It’s even better if the company has been audited and has no dark spots from the past.
- Outstanding performance. Market-leading tunneling protocols ensure that a VPN doesn’t impact your connection speed and maintains durable protection. That’s why we have chosen VPN services that offer only top-notch tunneling protocols.
- Extra features. Every extra feature available ensures a better security and browsing experience, such as obfuscated servers for hiding your VPN connection, P2P support for torrenting, and split tunneling. Hence, we listed only those VPNs that include more than basics.
- Compatibility. We ensured that each VPN included in the list has apps for every major OS and allows you to connect as many devices simultaneously as necessary to be fully protected.
- Price. Our priority is to help everyone stay safe and anonymous online without worrying about finances. Therefore, our listed VPN services offer the best price and quality ratio with the possibility of trying out the service,
Why do you need a VPN in South Korea?
To avoid the government and your Internet service provider interfering with your virtual life, getting a VPN is the best way to go. However, there’s a whole list of a South Korea VPN’s selling points:
- Get rid of internet censorship. Online gambling and torrenting are illegal in South Korea. According to Freedomhouse.org, 192,621 websites are blocked in the country. With a VPN, you can easily bypass these restrictions and even hide a VPN connection to remain undetected.
- Remain secure and anonymous. Surveillance in South Korea is a common concern. The government has the right to inspect your data without a warrant order if any suspicions have arisen toward you. Using a VPN makes your online data encrypted and impossible to access for any sneaky intruder.
- Access major streaming sites. Whether you’re inside or outside South Korea, a VPN is excellent for unblocking various streaming platforms. Best streaming VPNs allow you to watch videos in full HD without lagging.
- Stay secure while using public Wi-Fi. A public Internet connection is never a safe option. It’s a straight road to sharing your data with third parties; hence, using a VPN is essential.
Best South Korea VPNs compared
I have gathered a table where you can see our top 5 VPNs compared.
| Brand | Rating | South Korea servers | Kill switch | No-logs policy | Fastest protocol available | Country | Simultaneous connections | Streaming services | Price (lowest price per month) | Servers | Money back guarantee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | 17+ servers in 1 location | Yes | Yes | NordLynx | Panama | 10 | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more | $3.39/month | 7100 servers in 118 countries | 30 days | |
| Surfshark | 1 location | Yes | Yes | WireGuard | The Netherlands | Unlimited | Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and more | $2.19/month | 3200 servers in 100 countries | 30 days | |
| PureVPN | 45+ servers in 1 location | Yes | Yes | WireGuard | British Virgin Islands | 10 | Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube | $2.14/month | 6000+ servers in 65 countries | 31 days | |
| ExpressVPN | 1 location | Yes | Yes | Lightway | British Virgin Islands | 8 | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more | $4.99/month | 3000 servers in 105 countries | 30 days | |
| CyberGhost | 24+ servers in 1 location | Yes | Yes | WireGuard | Romania | 7 | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+ | $2.03/month | 11500+ servers in 100 countries | 45 days |
How to get a South Korea IP address with a VPN
Luckily, setting up a VPN and getting your preferred location’s IP address doesn’t take ages and is easy to do. To see how it’s done, follow the guide below:
- Choose a reliable VPN service that offers servers in South Korea. My recommendation is NordVPN
- Download and install the VPN app
- Open the VPN application
- Make sure the kill switch and the fastest tunneling protocol are enabled
- Select the server located in South Korea and connect
- Start browsing without restrictions
Internet censorship in South Korea
The main issue South Korea is facing is North Korea interfering with its well-being. Therefore, there’s a lot of surveillance around South Korean citizens to control incoming information regarding the neighboring country. Even though this sounds logical, the privacy and freedom of internet users are being compromised.
The ISPs in South Korea must collect users’ data and share it with the government. The National Intelligence Service (NIS), police, and prosecutors’ can access individuals’ personal information (private communication, location data, financial records, and more) if there have been any terrorism-related suspicions.
Furthermore, the South Korean government has also banned lots of websites. These include online gambling, torrenting, pornography, and other sites. This means, that citizens can’t access certain content without using a VPN.
Overall, South Korea doesn’t fall into the list of countries with high-censorship. Yet, there’s undeniably compromised only security, privacy, and overall browsing experience. Fortunately, with a reliable VPN, you can easily stay virtually invisible.
Torrenting in South Korea
Like in most countries around the world, torrenting copyrighted material is illegal in South Korea as well. However, it’s known that the government is more likely to be after piracy websites instead of targeting individuals.
Nevertheless, going against the law is always a dangerous idea. Hence, I suggest finding the best VPN for torrenting that supports a P2P connection. With it, you will avoid any inconveniences torrenting in South Korea, or any other country.
South Korean content you can watch with a VPN
South Korean movies and K-dramas have been skyrocketing in past years. That’s no surprise, as they offer content suitable for both; young and older people.
Here is some of the content you can expect to see by using a South Korea VPN:
- South Korea Netflix. Legend of Fuyao, The Destiny of White Snake, From the Vine, Off the Rails, Delicious.
- South Korean TV and streaming channels. Kakao TV, AfreecaTV, EBS, JTV, SBS, JTBC, SPOTV, HBO Asia, Arirang TV, Gayo TV, MBC Sports+.
- Other South Korean TV shows. Korean Anime, Manga, K-dramas.
Can I use a free VPN in South Korea?
Yes, you can use a free VPN in South Korea. However, we would not recommend doing it. After all, there are several reasons behind that.
Free VPN services are minimal. Due to low investment, you receive outdated apps with only a few security features. There are also data and speed caps and small server fleets. Basically, most free VPNs will try to force you into paying for the service.
Moving further, let’s talk about your privacy. There have been cases where a free VPN app was caught collecting users’ data and selling it to third parties. In exchange for your data, a VPN makes an income or is allowed to work in highly-censored countries, like China or Russia.
Overall, free VPNs cannot offer as advanced services as premium VPNs, like NordVPN, do. However, there are still free-of-cost VPNs that are reliable. By choosing Proton VPN, you receive strong protection, good performance, and more.
Conclusion
Finding the best VPN for South Korea is essential for maintaining privacy, accessing global content, and overcoming regional restrictions. Whether you're based in South Korea or looking to connect to South Korean content from abroad, a reliable VPN like NordVPN or Surfshark can offer the speed, security, and accessibility you need.
Each VPN has unique strengths tailored to streaming, security, and high-performance connections, so choosing the right one depends on your specific needs. With the options outlined here, you’ll be well equipped to make the best choice for a secure and unrestricted online experience.
FAQ
Which VPN works best in South Korea?
NordVPN works best for South Korea. It has 10+ servers located in South Korea and over 7100 servers in 118 countries across the world. NordVPN is known for successful geo-restrictions bypassing and a robust suite of security.
Is it legal to use a VPN in South Korea?
Yes, using a VPN is legal in South Korea. VPNs are commonly used for added privacy and to access geo-restricted content without any legal restrictions. However, while VPN use is permitted, users are still expected to follow South Korean laws and avoid accessing or distributing illegal content.
Does every VPN have servers in South Korea?
Not every VPN has servers in South Korea. However, it is the second most popular place in East Asia after Japan which has quite strict internet censorship. Therefore, there are enough VPN services with South Korean servers. You can find them listed in this article.
How to try a VPN in South Korea for free?
All listed VPN providers have at least a 30-day money-back guarantee, which means that if you are not satisfied with it, you’ll be fully refunded if you ask for a refund before this period ends. Some VPNs, like Surfshark or PureVPN, have 7-day free trials, and you won’t have to pay anything in advance to try these VPNs.
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