Remote Work From Korea: Internet Stability, VPNs, and Power Outage Prep

I moved to Seoul last year to work remotely for a U.S.-based tech company, and one of the first things I researched—probably obsessively—was whether Korea's infrastructure could actually support the kind of always-on work life I was used to. My previous setup in the States had its share of hiccups: occasional router resets, neighborhood outages during storms, and that one time my VPN decided to quit mid-presentation.

What surprised me most wasn't just how fast the internet is here (though yes, it's ridiculously fast), but how differently Koreans approach connectivity, backup plans, and even the little things like where you plug in during a typhoon. If you're planning to work remotely from Korea—or you're already here and wondering why your neighbor has three routers—this is what I've learned about staying online, using VPNs without paranoia, and what to do when the power actually does go out.

Table of Contents

• The Internet Speed Reality: Is It Really That Good?
• Why Korean Internet Stays Stable (Even When You Don't Expect It)
• VPN Use in Korea: Legal, Common, and Mostly Uncomplicated
• Setting Up Your VPN for Remote Work
• Power Outages: Rare but Not Impossible
• How Korean Apartments Handle Power Issues
• Building Your Own Backup Plan
• Mobile Hotspot as a Lifeline
• FAQ

The Internet Speed Reality: Is It Really That Good?

Short answer: yes. Korea consistently ranks in the top five globally for internet speed, with median fixed broadband speeds around 233 Mbps and mobile speeds hitting 224 Mbps as of 2026. For context, that's roughly double what I had in most U.S. cities. But raw speed is only part of the story.

What matters more for remote work is consistency. I run video calls for three to five hours daily, upload design files that sometimes hit 2GB, and occasionally stream to clients in real time. In eight months here, I've had exactly one connection drop that lasted longer than thirty seconds—and that was because I accidentally unplugged my router while vacuuming.

Korea's fiber-optic penetration is over 98% in urban and suburban areas, which means most residential buildings—especially newer apartment complexes—are wired directly with fiber. This isn't DSL or cable pretending to be fast; it's actual fiber to the home. The infrastructure was built aggressively in the early 2000s, and the government has kept upgrading it ever since.

Key takeaway: If you're working from a major city like Seoul, Busan, or Incheon, expect speeds that feel almost excessive. Rural areas are still well-covered, though speeds might drop to "only" 100 Mbps.

Why Korean Internet Stays Stable (Even When You Don't Expect It)

Stability comes from a few structural factors that aren't immediately obvious if you're new here. First, Korea is geographically small and densely populated. That means ISPs can maintain infrastructure more easily—fewer miles of cable to monitor, faster repair response times, and redundancy baked into urban networks.

Second, there's a cultural expectation that internet should just work. Koreans use the internet for everything: banking, healthcare appointments, food delivery, shopping, entertainment, government services. An outage isn't just inconvenient; it disrupts daily life in a way that would feel extreme in other countries. ISPs know this, and they staff accordingly.

In my experience, when something does go wrong, the response is fast. A friend in Gangnam had a connection issue on a Saturday morning—her ISP had a technician at her door within three hours. That's not guaranteed everywhere, but it's not unusual either.

Typhoons and heavy snow can occasionally cause issues, especially in older neighborhoods where overhead lines are still common. But even then, outages tend to last hours, not days. The grid is robust, and Korean utilities prioritize restoration aggressively.

VPN Use in Korea: Legal, Common, and Mostly Uncomplicated

This is one of those questions I see pop up constantly in expat forums, usually phrased with a nervous undertone: "Is it okay to use a VPN here?" The answer is straightforward—yes, VPNs are completely legal in South Korea. There are no restrictions on individual VPN use, and millions of Koreans use them regularly for privacy, accessing international content, or working remotely.

The confusion often comes from two sources. One, people conflate South Korea with North Korea, where internet access is heavily restricted and VPNs are illegal. Two, some countries in Asia do regulate VPN use (China being the most well-known example), so travelers assume Korea has similar rules. It doesn't.

That said, you're still expected to follow Korean law while using a VPN. If you're accessing pirated content, engaging in fraud, or doing anything else illegal, a VPN won't protect you from legal consequences. But for remote workers connecting to a company network, accessing geo-restricted work tools, or maintaining privacy, there's zero issue.

Common VPN uses in Korea

• Corporate network access for remote employees
• Accessing international streaming libraries (Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer)
• Privacy protection on public Wi-Fi
• Bypassing regional restrictions on services like Spotify or YouTube content
• Secure file transfers and encrypted communication

Setting Up Your VPN for Remote Work

If your company provides a VPN (common for tech, finance, and consulting roles), setup is usually identical to what you'd do anywhere else. Download the client, log in, connect. Korean ISPs don't throttle or block VPN protocols, so OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2, and others all work fine.

One quirk I noticed: some Korean routers provided by ISPs have aggressive firewall settings by default. If your VPN won't connect, try switching protocols in your VPN client or adjusting router settings. My building's router initially blocked UDP traffic on certain ports, which broke my company VPN until I switched to TCP mode.

For personal VPNs (if you're using one for privacy or accessing content), most major providers work well here. I've tested NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark without issues. Latency to U.S. servers usually sits around 150–180ms, which is acceptable for most work tasks. Video calls can feel slightly delayed, but it's not disruptive unless you're doing real-time collaboration that requires split-second timing.

One thing to check: your company's VPN policy regarding location. Some employers require you to disclose if you're working from another country, especially for compliance or tax reasons. Korea is generally seen as a low-risk jurisdiction, but it's worth confirming your company is okay with your setup before you assume.

Personal take: I run my company VPN 24/7 while working and haven't noticed any performance hit compared to working directly in the U.S. The only time I turn it off is when I need to access Korean banking sites, which sometimes block foreign IPs.

Power Outages: Rare but Not Impossible

Korea's power grid is one of the most reliable in the world. According to the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), the average duration of power interruptions is under 10 minutes per household per year. For comparison, the U.S. averages over 200 minutes annually in many states.

That doesn't mean outages never happen. Recent incidents—like a 19-hour blackout in Guro-gu, Seoul, during a January 2026 cold snap, or brief outages in luxury apartments in Seocho during December 2025—show that building-specific issues can occur. These are usually caused by localized infrastructure problems: water leaks into electrical rooms, equipment failure in aging buildings, or circuit breaker malfunctions during extreme weather.

Seasonal risks vary. Summer heat waves can strain the grid, especially in August when air conditioning use peaks. I've heard stories of rolling brownouts in industrial areas, but residential neighborhoods are typically prioritized. Winter cold snaps can also cause issues, particularly in older buildings where heating systems draw heavy loads.

What surprised me was how apartment age affects reliability. Newer complexes (built in the 2010s or later) tend to have better electrical infrastructure and backup systems. Older buildings—especially those from the 1980s or 1990s—sometimes struggle during extreme weather because their wiring wasn't designed for modern power demands.

How Korean Apartments Handle Power Issues

Most Korean apartment complexes have management offices that handle utilities, including power issues. If an outage happens, the first thing to check is whether it's building-wide or just your unit. You can usually tell by looking out your window—if your neighbors' lights are out too, it's a broader problem.

For building-wide outages, the management office will typically post notices (often via KakaoTalk group chats or building intercoms) explaining the situation and estimated restoration time. They coordinate directly with KEPCO or building maintenance teams. Response times are generally fast, though the 19-hour outage I mentioned earlier shows that complex repairs can take longer.

If the issue is just your unit—usually a tripped breaker—you'll need to reset it yourself. Korean apartments have breaker panels (usually near the entrance or in a utility closet) with clearly labeled switches. Flip the main breaker off, wait ten seconds, then flip it back on. If it trips again immediately, you've got an overload issue or faulty appliance.

One cultural note: Korean apartments don't typically have whole-building backup generators unless they're luxury high-rises or newer developments. Emergency lighting in hallways and stairwells usually runs on battery backup, but your unit won't have power during an outage unless you provide your own solution.

Quick apartment power checklist

• Know where your breaker panel is located
• Save your building management office number
• Join your building's KakaoTalk group for outage notifications
• Learn how to reset your breaker (practice before you need it)
• Avoid overloading circuits—Korean outlets can trip easily if you run too many devices

Building Your Own Backup Plan

Even with Korea's reliable grid, remote workers should have a backup plan. I learned this the hard way during a scheduled maintenance outage that my building management announced with only 24 hours' notice. I had a client call scheduled and suddenly realized I had no plan B.

The simplest solution is a UPS (uninterruptible power supply). These battery backup units keep your router, modem, and laptop charged during short outages. In Korea, you can buy them at major electronics stores like Hi-Mart or online via Coupang. Prices range from ₩100,000 for basic models (enough to keep a router and laptop running for 30–60 minutes) to ₩500,000+ for units that can handle multiple devices for several hours.

I use a mid-range UPS that cost about ₩250,000. It powers my router, desktop monitor, and laptop charger. During the one brief outage I've experienced, it gave me enough time to finish a call and save my work without scrambling. The peace of mind alone was worth the cost.

Another option: portable power stations. These are larger battery packs (think camping gear but for tech) that can run laptops, routers, and even small appliances for hours. They're overkill for most people, but if you work from home full-time and can't afford downtime, they're a solid investment.

Common mistakes with backup power

• Not testing your UPS before you need it (batteries can degrade)
• Plugging high-power devices (space heaters, hair dryers) into your UPS
• Forgetting to charge portable power stations regularly
• Assuming your laptop battery alone is enough (your router still needs power)

Mobile Hotspot as a Lifeline

Korea's mobile networks are absurdly good—often better than wired internet in other countries. LTE averages over 90 Mbps, and 5G can hit 200+ Mbps in urban areas. This makes your phone's hotspot a genuinely viable backup for remote work.

I keep a separate data plan specifically for hotspot use. Most Korean carriers (SK Telecom, KT, LG U+) offer unlimited or high-capacity data plans (50GB+) for ₩50,000–₩80,000 per month. During the scheduled maintenance outage I mentioned earlier, I tethered my laptop to my phone and ran a two-hour video call without issues. The connection was stable, latency was acceptable, and video quality stayed at 1080p.

One thing to watch: hotspot usage drains your phone battery fast. Keep a charger nearby, or use a portable battery pack. I also recommend testing your hotspot speed before you rely on it for something critical—network congestion can vary by neighborhood and time of day.

For remote workers who travel within Korea, mobile hotspots are even more useful. Whether you're working from a café in Jeju, a guesthouse in Busan, or a coworking space in Daegu, you'll have reliable internet as long as you have cell service. And cell service in Korea is nearly ubiquitous—I've had 5G coverage in subway stations two levels underground.

Pro tip: If you're with a Korean carrier, enable both your primary SIM and your hotspot's data settings to auto-switch. That way, if your home internet drops, your laptop can automatically reconnect to your phone without manual intervention.

FAQ

Will my U.S.-based VPN work in Korea?

Yes. Major VPN providers like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark, and others all work without restrictions in Korea. You might experience slightly higher latency (150–200ms to U.S. servers), but connection stability is generally excellent.

Do I need to notify my employer that I'm working from Korea?

It depends on your company's remote work policy. Many employers require disclosure for compliance, tax, or data security reasons. Korea is generally seen as a low-risk country for remote work, but it's better to confirm in advance rather than assume.

How much does home internet cost in Korea?

Gigabit fiber internet typically costs ₩30,000–₩40,000 per month (about $20–$30 USD). This is significantly cheaper than comparable speeds in most Western countries. Installation fees vary but are often waived with contract sign-ups.

What should I do if my power goes out during a work call?

If you have a UPS, your equipment should stay powered long enough to finish the call or reschedule. If not, immediately switch to your mobile hotspot. Keep your phone charged and your hotspot settings saved in advance so you can reconnect quickly.

Are café Wi-Fi networks safe for work?

Korean café Wi-Fi is generally reliable and fast, but public networks are never fully secure. Always use a VPN when working from cafés, coworking spaces, or other shared networks. This protects your data from potential eavesdropping or man-in-the-middle attacks.

Do Korean apartments have surge protection built in?

Some newer buildings have surge protection at the panel level, but it's not universal. It's safer to use your own surge protector or UPS with built-in surge protection, especially for expensive equipment like computers and monitors.

How do I report a power outage to KEPCO?

For building-wide outages, contact your apartment management office first—they'll coordinate with KEPCO. For issues with your individual unit, you can call KEPCO's customer service at 123 (Korean language) or check their website for English support options.

Disclaimer

This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, technical, or professional advice. Internet speeds, VPN regulations, and power infrastructure may change over time. Please verify key information through official sources such as your ISP, VPN provider, KEPCO, or your employer's IT department when making decisions about remote work setup.