Korea Standard Time (KST) is the time zone used in South Korea and North Korea. KST is 9 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC+9). It is important to know the current date and time in Korea when communicating with businesses, friends, or family living in Korea. In this article, we will discuss the current time in Korea, how to convert it to your local time zone, and some information on daylight savings time (DST) in Korea.
Current Time in Korea
The current time in Korea updates automatically. So, what time is it in South Korea right now? It is 10:30 AM KST on Monday, June 7, 2021. Please note that this time zone does not observe daylight saving time.
Converting Korea Standard Time to Your Local Time
If you want to know what time it is in Korea when it is a particular time in your local time zone, you can use an online time zone converter. Google has a time zone converter that is easy to use. You can simply type “Korea time” in the Google search box, and the current time in Korea will show up. Google will automatically convert the time to your local time zone by using your device’s location.
If you want to convert the time manually, you will need to take the time difference between your local time and KST into account. For example, if your local time is 3:00 PM and you want to convert it to KST, you will need to subtract 9 hours from your local time. So, in this case, it would be 6:00 AM KST.
Daylight Saving Time in Korea
Korea does not observe daylight saving time. The country used to follow the DST practice, but since 1987, it has abolished it for energy conservation purposes. So, the time difference between KST and any other time zone remains the same throughout the year.
Time Differences Between Korea and Other Countries
Korea Standard Time is nine hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC+9). Here are some time differences between Korea and other major cities around the world:
| City | Time Difference (Hours) |
|---|---|
| New York City, USA | 13 |
| Los Angeles, USA | 16 |
| Sydney, Australia | 1 |
| Beijing, China | 1 |
Best Time to Call Korea from Other Countries
If you want to call Korea from a different country, you should consider the time difference. You don’t want to wake someone up in Korea in the middle of the night. The best time to call is usually between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM KST as this is when most businesses and people are available. However, you should adjust your calling time according to your and the receiver’s time zone.
Korea Public Holidays
Korea has several public holidays, which can affect business operations or the availability of people. Here are some of the major public holidays in Korea:
- New Year’s Day – January 1
- Lunar New Year – February 1-3
- Independence Movement Day – March 1
- Children’s Day – May 5
- Buddha’s Birthday – May 19
- Memorial Day – June 6
- Constitution Day – July 17
- Liberation Day – August 15
- Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) – September 20-22
- National Foundation Day – October 3
- Christmas Day – December 25
Conclusion
Knowing the current time in Korea is essential when communicating with people in Korea or doing business with Korean companies. In this article, we have discussed how to convert KST to your local time, the time differences between Korea and other countries, the best time to call Korea, and public holidays in Korea. I hope this article has provided you with valuable information that can help you manage your time more efficiently when dealing with people in Korea.
Common Questions and Answers
- Q. What time zone is Korea in?
- A. Korea is in the Korea Standard Time (KST) time zone, which is 9 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC+9).
- Q. Does Korea observe daylight saving time?
- A. No, Korea does not observe daylight saving time.
- Q. What is the current time in Korea right now?
- A. As of writing this article, the current time in Korea is 10:30 AM KST on Monday, June 7, 2021.
- Q. What are the major public holidays in Korea?
- A. Some major public holidays in Korea include Lunar New Year, Independence Movement Day, Children’s Day, Buddha’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Constitution Day, Liberation Day, Chuseok, National Foundation Day, and Christmas Day.
- Q. What is the best time to call Korea from another country?
- A. The best time to call Korea is usually between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM KST.
References
https://www.timeanddate.com/time/zone/south-korea/seoul
https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/converter.html?lid=1833
https://www.businessculture.org/asia-pacific/asia-pacific-countries/south-korea/business-culture-in-south-korea/business-communication-in-south-korea/