Current Local Time in Seoul

Timezone

• Seoul follows the Korean Standard Time(KST) with an offset of UTC+09:00.
• Daylight Saving Time (DST) is not observed.

Being the largest metropolis of South Korea and a populous city indeed, Seoul is also known as Seoul special city. It is also the capital city of South Korea and has a population of 9.7 million. This city is also known as the heart of Seoul capital area and has Incheon metropolis in its neighborhood.

The famous Gyeonggi province is also located near it. According to Globalization and World Cities Research Network (GaWC), it is among the top alpha cities globally. 

There is only one standard timezone in South Korea, known as the Korea Standard Time (KST). It is nine hours ahead of the Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). This can also be written as UTC+9:00.

Although there has been experimentation with daylight saving time during the summer Olympics in 1998, there were no fruitful results. Daylight saving time, however, is not observed by South Korea. South Korea’s timezone is also abbreviated as KST.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What was the standard time of the Korean Empire?

In terms of geography, the western regions of Korea and South Korea’s capital Seoul are eight hours ahead of UTC. In other words, the timezone there is UTC+8:00. According to history, in 1908, the Korean Empire used a timezone that was eight and a half hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and UTC. 

What were the changes in Korea’s time during history?

During the Japanese occupation, there was a change in Korea’s standard time and it was set to UTC+9:00. This step was taken by the Governor-General of Korea to align Korea’s and Japan’s time zones. However, this timezone was later reverted to the original UTC+8:30 timezone under President Syngman Rhee. However, Korea’s timezone retook a U-turn during the military government of Chujng-hee and was set back to UTC+9:00. South Korea is the only country whose time has changed so many times over the years. 

Why was daylight saving time adopted in South Korea?

During the 1998 summer Olympics, there was a need to accommodate viewers from worldwide, including America. This pushed the Seoul government to adopt daylight saving time because it solved most of the problems. Although there was only a change of one hour in time, most of the events happening at the Olympics could be broadcast live due to this. The resulting time frame in America was their prime time to watch the Olympics. The daylight saving time or the DST was UTC+10:00.

What is the Pyongyang Standard Time?

The timezone adopted by North Korea from August 2015 to May 2018 was known as Pyongyang Standard Time. Like South Korea, North Korea uses the Korea Standard Time. The change in time zones was discouraged and reverted to uphold unity among Korean members. 

Is the 24-hour notion is used in South Korea?

The 24-hour notion is used in South Korea, along with the 12-hour notion. Primarily used in informal settings, the 12-hour clock seems to be used more dominantly than the 24-hour notion. Since there are lesser chances of ambiguity and confusion while using the 12-hour notion. However, in standard texts, the 24-hour notion is adapted, and time is written as “14:05” according to this notion. 

What is the time difference between South Korea and India?

India is three and a half hours behind South Korea and Seoul. 

What is the hourly difference between Seoul and New York?

There is a vast difference of 14 hours between both cities. You should be especially careful while scheduling calls or meetings while residing in one of these cities. Moreover, the considerable time gap must be kept in mind before booking flights or hosting parties that involve residents from New York or Seoul. 

What is the Korea’s standard timekeeper?

Interestingly, Korea’s timezone is that its standard timekeeper was an automatic water clock. The inventor of this water clock was named Jang Yeong-Sil. His invention was appreciated by King Sejong, and the water clock thus became Korea’s standard timekeeper.

It is also believed that early Koreans used water clocks instead of regular clocks. However, there is no proof of this matter. Korea’s timekeeping advanced with Jeong Cho’s creation of a sundial in the shape of a bowl placed in the public eye for everyone to use. This was called the “angbu ilgu” and was an excellent invention for timekeeping.

Do Korea and Japan lie in the same timezone?

You can schedule calls and meetings during your regular hours if you live in Japan. Since both places have equivalent time zones, you do not need to fret before traveling there or making calls to your friends or family. However, it is wise to check daylight savings in case there has been a change in time.

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