Living in Korea means setting up electricity, water, gas, and heating separately, each through a different provider, and paying each bill on its own schedule. Electricity is handled by a single national company no matter where you live, but water and gas providers vary by region. You may also find it helpful to read about preventing frozen pipes and saving on heating costs and how to use your boiler.

Step-by-Step Overview

  1. 1. Apply to activate electricity

    Call KEPCO (Korea Electric Power Corporation) customer service at 123, or apply through the KEPCO ON website.

  2. 2. Find your local water authority

    Search for your district's Waterworks Authority on a portal site, or look it up on the K-water website.

  3. 3. Find your local city gas supplier

    Check the Korea City Gas Association website or a portal site to find the supplier for your area.

  4. 4. Confirm your heating setup

    Before moving in, ask your landlord or real estate agent whether city gas is connected and what type of boiler the unit has.

  5. 5. Set up automatic payments

    Setting up auto-pay for electricity, water, and gas separately means you never have to worry about missing a due date.

1. Electricity

Electricity across the entire country is supplied by a single company: KEPCO (Korea Electric Power Corporation, 한국전력공사).

Paying Your Bill

Electricity bills are issued monthly. The due date varies slightly by region, so check the date printed on your bill. You can pay at a bank counter, by bank transfer through internet banking or a mobile app, by automatic transfer, or by QR code at a convenience store. The official KEPCO customer platform, KEPCO ON (https://online.kepco.co.kr), and the KEPCO ON app let you check your bill, make payments, apply for welfare discounts, and report outages all in one place.

In Korea, your electricity bill also includes the KBS TV licence fee (KBS 수신료), currently 2,500 won per month. This fee was briefly separated from the electricity bill starting in July 2023, but from October 2025 it is bundled back into the electricity bill again. For the latest details, please check with the Immigration Contact Center at 1345 or your local Korea Immigration Service office.

Voltage: 220V

The standard voltage in Korea is 220V. If you brought appliances from a country that uses 110V, you will need a step-down transformer (변압기/트랜스) to convert 220V down to 110V. These are available at electronics stores and large supermarkets.

Circuit Breaker

Every home in Korea is fitted with a safety device called a circuit breaker (누전 차단기). If there is a sudden surge in electricity use or a problem with the wiring, the switch trips automatically and cuts the power. It is an important device that prevents fires and electric shocks.

When you move into a new place, always check that the circuit breaker is working properly. Here is how:

  1. Press the test button on the circuit breaker. (The general-purpose test button is red; the leakage-only test button is green.)
  2. If the switch trips down when you press the button, the device is working normally.
  3. If the switch does not trip, the device is faulty. Contact your landlord or KEPCO to have it repaired.

2. Water

Water supply is managed by each region’s Waterworks Authority (상수도사업본부). Search for “[your district name] 상수도사업본부” on a portal site to find your local office. You can also find a list of regional authorities on the K-water (Korea Water Resources Corporation) website.

Watch Out for Frozen Pipes in Winter

Korean winters are very cold, and it is common for water pipes to freeze solid, leaving households without water. This is called dongpa (동파). Take the following precautions. For more cold-weather tips, see Preparing for a Cold Snap: Cold-Weather Alerts, Preventing Frozen Pipes, and Saving on Heating Costs.

  • Check that there are no leaks inside the water meter box and that the insulation material (such as foam) is still in place. If anything looks wrong, contact your local Waterworks Authority immediately.
  • For corridor-style apartments or villas where the meter box is on an exposed outer wall, wrap the outside cover with plastic sheeting or install a freeze-prevention heating cable to keep it insulated.
  • If you are leaving the house for an extended period, or on a very cold night, leaving the tap running with a very thin trickle of water can prevent the pipes from freezing.

If Your Pipes Do Freeze

If the water meter or a pipe has frozen, start by pouring lukewarm water over it and gradually use slightly warmer water as it begins to thaw. Do not pour boiling water directly onto it from the start, as this can crack the glass on the water meter.

3. Gas

Gas suppliers also vary by region. Search for “[your district name] 도시가스” on a portal site, or use the Korea City Gas Association website to find the supplier for your area. Before signing up, confirm the latest supplier information with the Immigration Contact Center at 1345 or your local Korea Immigration Service office.

Cooking Gas (LPG and City Gas)

  • Before using the gas, open the intermediate valve (중간밸브), and after you are done, always close the intermediate valve again.
  • Make it a habit to visually confirm that the flame is fully off every time.

How to Check for a Gas Leak

You can check for a gas leak at home yourself.

  1. Mix dish soap and water in a 1:1 ratio.
  2. Apply the mixture evenly around the gas hose connections.
  3. No reaction means everything is fine. If bubbles form, gas is leaking. Stop using the gas immediately and contact your gas company.

If you use city gas, the supplier will carry out periodic safety inspections (meter readings happen every month). Please try to be home on inspection days so the check can be completed. Contact your local city gas supplier for details on inspection schedules.

Butane Gas (Portable Gas Stoves)

Butane gas canisters used in portable stoves must be attached correctly according to the fitting specifications. If the flame is unusually small or you smell gas, stop using the stove immediately and check whether the canister is properly attached.

When disposing of a used butane canister, take it outdoors where there is good ventilation, puncture it with a nail or awl to release any remaining pressure, and then place it in the recycling bin. If you dispose of a canister without puncturing it first, it can explode during collection.

What to Do in a Gas Emergency

If you confirm that gas is leaking, stay calm and follow these steps in order:

  1. Close the main gas safety valve.
  2. Open all windows and doors to ventilate the space.
  3. Do not touch any lights or electrical switches, as an electrical spark could cause an explosion.
  4. Leave the building and contact your city gas company’s customer service line or the Korea Gas Safety Corporation ( 1544-4500) to request an inspection.

4. Heating

Most homes in Korea use ondol (온돌) underfloor heating. Hot water is circulated through pipes installed beneath the floor, warming the entire room from below. Ondol is a uniquely Korean heating tradition. It may feel unfamiliar at first, but it is wonderfully warm and comfortable in winter. For instructions on operating your boiler, see How to Use an Ondol Boiler: Rinnai,귀뚜라미 (Kyungdong), and Navien Controls.

Types of Boiler

TypeFeatures
City gas boilerGas supplied continuously through a pipe; can be used for both cooking and heating at the same time; relatively low cost. The most convenient option.
Oil (kerosene) boilerRequires ordering fuel separately; higher running costs.
LPG gas boilerUsed in areas without city gas; requires ordering fuel separately.
Coal briquette boilerFuel costs are low, but briquettes must be changed manually on a set schedule, which is inconvenient.

When looking for a place to live, always check whether city gas is connected. The rent may be slightly higher, but you will save on heating costs in the long run. For tips on reducing your gas bill, see How to Save on Boiler (Ondol) Gas Bills in Winter.

Electric Heaters and Electric Blankets

These are commonly used as supplementary heating, but leaving them on for long periods is a fire risk and will noticeably increase your electricity bill. In particular, be careful never to fall asleep with an electric blanket switched on.

Gas Heaters

Gas heaters are effective for warming a room, but falling asleep with one running can cause suffocation due to oxygen depletion. Always turn the heater off before going to sleep, and make sure to ventilate the room regularly while using it.

For the most up-to-date figures, deadlines, and responsible authorities, please contact the Immigration Contact Center at 1345 (the multilingual helpline for foreigners in Korea) or your local Korea Immigration Service office.