Daylight Savings Time Changes in South Korea 🇰🇷 (2026)
South Korea does not observe daylight saving time; clocks stay on KST (UTC+9) all year round.
| Country: | South Korea |
| Capital: | Seoul |
| Abbreviations: | KR, KOR |
| IANA Time Zones: | 2 |
| Dial Code: | +82 |
Provinces in South Korea that do not observe Daylight Savings Time
DST Changes Summary for South Korea
| Date | Year | Change | Time | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 May | 1988 | Forward 1 hour | 01:59 ➜ 03:00 | Daylight Saving Start |
| 9 Oct | 1988 | Back 1 hour | 02:59 ➜ 02:00 | Daylight Saving End |
Read More About Daylight Savings Time
Common Questions about Daylight Savings Time Changes in South Korea
Does South Korea use Daylight Saving Time in 2026?
No, South Korea does not observe Daylight Saving Time in 2026. The entire nation remains on its standard time offset year-round, meaning there are no seasonal clock adjustments for residents or visitors to worry about.
Does all of South Korea follow the same time change schedule?
Yes, the calendar dates for starting and ending Daylight Saving Time are consistent across the country. However, because South Korea spans 2 different time zones, the actual moment the clocks move occurs at different times depending on the local timezone of each province.
Frequently Asked Questions about DST in South Korea
Does South Korea observe Daylight Saving Time?
No, South Korea does not observe Daylight Saving Time. Clocks stay on the same time year-round. Several countries near the equator and in low-latitude regions skip DST because daylight hours change little across seasons.
What time zone is South Korea on after DST ends?
After DST ends, South Korea returns to its standard time zone, Asia / Seoul (Asia/Seoul). Standard time is the country's year-round baseline; DST adds one hour to that during the warmer months.
Why doesn't South Korea use Daylight Saving Time?
Countries near the equator gain almost no benefit from DST because day length barely changes across the year. Other countries have abandoned DST due to public opposition, energy studies showing little benefit, or to simplify scheduling. South Korea falls into one of these categories.