2G and 3G switch-off in South Korea
Quick answer
2G in South Korea: Off, 2012 to 2021. No operator has announced a 3G switch-off date. SK Telecom stopped new 3G sign-ups on 20 August 2026, with its end date waiting on MSIT approval, and KT is reported to be stopping new 3G sign-ups by the end of 2026. All three operators have closed 2G (2012 to 2021).
3GNo dates announced
2GOff, 2012 to 2021
Operators
Checked 1 November 2026.
Dates are set by each operator and can change. Check with us before you plan around them.
| Operator | 3G | 2G |
|---|---|---|
| KT | Reported: new 3G sign-ups to stop by the end of 2026 (Hankyung, 23 September 2026) | Off, 2012 |
| SK Telecom | New 3G sign-ups stopped 20 August 2026; end date waiting on MSIT approval | Off, 2020 |
| LG U+ | Not confirmed | Off, 30 June 2021 |
Details
- KT 2G. MSIT records that KT ended its 2G (PCS) service early, in 2012. Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT)
- SK Telecom 2G. MSIT records that SK Telecom ended its 2G service early, in 2020. Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT)
- LG U+ 2G. MSIT approved the closure on 25 May 2021, with the network expected to be removed by end of June 2021; the date has passed but no primary post-closure confirmation was found. Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT)
- SK Telecom 3G. New 3G sign-ups stopped on 20 August 2026; SKT says the end date is not yet fixed and needs MSIT approval. SK Telecom
- KT 3G. KT told press it is preparing to stop new 3G sign-ups; no end date given. MoneyToday
- KT 3G. Hankyung reported on 23 September 2026 that KT will stop new 3G sign-ups by the end of 2026. Hankyung
Regulator and government
- Closing a mobile service needs MSIT approval with user-protection conditions; MSIT approved SK Telecom's 2G closure on 12 June 2020 (staged region by region, with handset and tariff support for remaining users). Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT), via Korea.kr
- In the December 2025 spectrum re-allocation (3G and LTE bands expiring June 2026), MSIT let operators leave 3G spectrum unused or reuse it for LTE or later; MSIT said ending 3G is a service closure that needs ministry approval. Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT), via Korea.kr
What this means for your devices
Each SIM profile has its own page, showing where it works and what it supports.
Common questions
When does 2G switch off in South Korea?
Off, 2012 to 2021.
Is 3G still working in South Korea?
No dates announced.
Sources
- 과기정통부 엘지유플러스(LGU+) 2세대 이동통신(2G) 서비스 폐업 승인 (press release; text in attached file), Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT)
- 3G 서비스 신규가입 중단 및 서비스 종료 계획에 대해 알려드립니다., SK Telecom
- The Era of 3G Services Ends After 23 Years… SKT Halts New Sign-ups, MoneyToday
- Hankyung, 23 September 2026, Hankyung
- 과기정통부, 에스케이텔레콤(SKT)의 2세대(2G) 이동통신 서비스 폐지 승인, Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT), via Korea.kr
- 이동통신 주파수 재할당 세부 정책방안 (briefing, 10 December 2025), Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT), via Korea.kr
Checked 1 November 2026. Dates move, so check the operator’s own notice before you plan a change.