With the majority of its citizens being internet users and boasting one of the best connection speeds in the whole world, anyone visiting Korea would probably think that the country is internet users’ paradise. Don’t be alarmed when you come to know otherwise. Despite being one of the most internet-savvy countries around the globe, the Korean government keeps a check on the online activities performed by not just its citizens, but also expats alike. The country is known for its internet censorship practices, which is a huge issue you would face when you visit Korea as an expat.
While the country regulates access to the internet to prevent the escalation of issues like illegal gambling, child pornography, etc., which is actually a great measure taken by the government, the extent to which the internet is blocked makes it hard for citizens, tourists and expats alike to access the websites and web services they need. From blogs to social media accounts to websites and more, there is literally a lot you are likely to miss in terms of the internet during your visit to Korea.
Streaming Videos in Korea
As discussed above, Korea as a country issues a lot of restrictions to internet users. However, when it comes to accessing video streaming services in the country, you will face restrictions directly from the services before the ISPs in Korea restrict you. As many of you would be aware, online video streaming services usually prevent people from other countries from accessing their content due to copyright issues. Hence, you wouldn’t be able to watch your favorite shows or movies online when you visit Korea.
VPN for Korea
Whether it is about bypassing the internet restrictions imposed by the Korean government, or circumventing the geographic restrictions imposed by streaming services, the best option you have is to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
When it comes to government snooping, a Korean VPN will be able to prevent the same by encrypting the messages sent and received from and to your computer, making it impossible for the authorities to track the same. A VPN service also has the ability to completely hide your online activities from snoopers, which gives you the freedom to access the sites and pages you like.
In the case of video streaming, with a VPN service, you can easily mask your Korean IP address and replace it with a one from the country of the service. This makes the service believe that you are located within the country and hence you will be granted access to their content.
Best VPNs for Korea
Following is a list of the best VPN services for Korea: