Current Time in Seoul, South Korea
서울
Exact time synced with atomic clocks (IANA + NTP)
Country
대한민국
Dialling: +82
City Details
Seoul
서울
Lat: 37.5665° N
Long: 126.978° E
Population: 9,776,000
Time Zone
Asia/Seoul
GMT+9
Public Holidays
Buddha's Birthday
May 24in 4dMemorial Day
Jun 6in 17dConstitution Day
Jul 17in 58d
Time Difference
Business Hours
Daylight Cycle
Data via sunrisesunset.io
Current Weather
Data via Open-Meteo · Updates every 30 min
Overview
Seoul is the capital and largest city of South Korea, with 9.6 million residents in the city proper and a metropolitan area of 26 million as of 2024 — accounting for more than half the country's total population. It ranks 10th in the 2024 Global Financial Centres Index and has more plastic surgery clinics and convenience stores per capita than any other major world city.
Administrative Region
Seoul Capital Area (Sudogwon)
KR-11
Local Currency
₩
Technical Assets
- Web Domain.kr
- ISO CodeKR-11
Secure Identifier Profile
Culture & Daily Life
📜 History & Origins
The area on the Han River where Seoul stands has been inhabited for millennia, with Bronze Age dolmen still visible in the city's outskirts. It was established as Wirye, capital of the Baekje Kingdom, in 18 BCE — making it one of the world's oldest continuously occupied cities. Yi Seonggye founded the Joseon dynasty here in 1392 and named it Hanseong, surrounding it with the famous Fortress Wall. The city took the name Seoul — meaning capital — at South Korea's founding in 1948.
🗣️ Languages
👥 Demographics
✨ Leisure Highlights
- /Gyeongbokgung Palace and the National Folk Museum
- /N Seoul Tower and Namsan Park
- /Bukchon Hanok Village — 600-year-old traditional homes
- /Myeongdong and Gangnam shopping districts
- /DMZ day trip to the Korean demilitarised zone
🎒 Visitor Tip
The T-money card works on every subway, bus and taxi. Seoul's subway is colour-coded, thoroughly bilingual in English, and goes almost everywhere. Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukchon Hanok Village are best visited on a weekday morning. Myeongdong is the place for skincare; Hongdae for nightlife; Insadong for traditional crafts. Squat toilets still appear in some subway stations.
Geography & Climate
Land & Terrain
Surface area and physical characteristics
Built in a basin surrounded by eight mountains — Bugaksan (342m), Inwangsan (338m), Naksan (125m) and Namsan (262m) form the inner ring; higher ranges enclose the city externally. The Han River bisects the city roughly east-west, dividing historic Gangbuk (north) from the modern Gangnam (south). The valley floor is flat, with the mountains rising sharply at the city's edges.
Climate Stats
Humid continental, monsoon-influenced (Köppen Dwa)
Avg Summer
26°C
Avg Winter
-3°C
Annual Rainfall
1450 mm
Best Months (Sunshine)
Travel & Connectivity
✈️ Nearby AirportsIATA / DISTANCE
🚄 Rail ConnectionsCITY / DISTANCE
Regional Satellites
Other times compared to Seoul
Frequently Asked Questions about time in Seoul
What timezone is Seoul in?↓
Seoul is in the Asia/Seoul time zone (Asia/Seoul), currently UTCGMT+9.
Does South Korea observe daylight saving time?↓
No. South Korea does not observe daylight saving time. Seoul stays on KST (UTCGMT+9) year-round, so the clocks never change.
What is KST?↓
KST stands for Asia/Seoul. It is UTCGMT+9 and is the standard time used in South Korea.
How many hours ahead is Seoul compared to London?↓
Seoul is 9 hours ahead of London (GMT). During UK summer (BST), the difference reduces by 1 hour to 8 hours.
What is the time difference between Seoul and New York?↓
Seoul is 14 hours ahead of New York (EST). When New York switches to EDT in summer, the difference decreases by 1 hour.
How accurate is the time shown for Seoul?↓
The time displayed for Seoul is synced with atomic clock sources via NTP (Network Time Protocol) and uses IANA timezone data to ensure accuracy to the second. It automatically reflects any daylight saving time changes.
What does UTCGMT+9 mean for Seoul?↓
UTCGMT+9 means Seoul is 9 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), the global standard for timekeeping.
What are the business hours in Seoul?↓
Standard business hours in Seoul are typically Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM KST (UTCGMT+9). Many businesses also operate Saturday mornings. Public holidays follow the South Korea national calendar.
What is the best time to call Seoul from London?↓
The best overlap for a call between London and Seoul is typically early morning in London (8–10 AM GMT), which corresponds to late afternoon or evening in Seoul. Always check the current time before calling to avoid unsociable hours.