What is the difference between KST and UTC?
Korea is 9 hours ahead of UTC.
UTC time
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KST
Korea Standard Time
23 Nov 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this area observe DST?
No, Korea does not observe daylight saving time.
Which major cities follow this pattern?
Seoul, the capital of South Korea, and Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea, follow this schedule.
What areas share the same hours?
Japan, parts of China, and parts of Russia follow the same schedule.
How does this compare with UTC?
The country is 9 hours ahead of UTC, and there are no changes for daylight saving.
Why doesn't this area observe DST?
The country decided to abolish daylight saving time in the 1980s after studies showed it did not provide significant benefits.
How did this system get established?
Korea adopted its current standard time in 1961, after the country was unified, to create consistency across the peninsula.
What are the typical work hours here?
Work hours in Korea generally run from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, although this can vary by industry.
What is the economic importance of this area?
Korea is a global leader in technology, manufacturing, and exports, particularly in sectors like electronics, automobiles, and shipbuilding.