South Korea SKT Unlimited Red eSIM and Gold pickup SIM products include unlimited 4G LTE data with no fair use policy, no daily speed cap, and no throttling. Calls and SMS are available after passport authentication; only outbound calls and SMS beyond the one-time free call benefit require separate prepaid credit from SKRoaming.
Compare the current South Korea eSIM plans, and read the South Korea eSIM phone-number guide for more help choosing between local-number and data-only options.
Phone number
For SKT eSIM orders, the assigned phone number is shown with the QR code details sent by email. For SKT pickup SIM orders, the phone number can be confirmed after you collect the physical SIM.
You can see the number before calls and texts are ready, but the line must pass passport authentication before it can make or receive calls and SMS.
Data can work before passport authentication is completed. A working data connection therefore does not confirm that calls or SMS are ready. This tourist number is not a Korean resident identity credential: do not buy it expecting it to satisfy resident-ID checks for banking, payments or every app's verification process.
Passport authentication
Authentication is possible with a short-term foreign passport. When prompted, manually enter your passport details on the activation portal. You do not need to upload a passport photo.
SKT permits one SKT tourist product activation per passport. This is an SKT product rule, not a universal per-carrier rule under Korean telecom law. If online authentication is not available for your situation, SK Telecom may require in-person verification at an SK Telecom Roaming Desk with your physical passport.
Calls, texts, and prepaid credit
SKT Unlimited includes one free outbound call of up to 5 minutes as a one-time activation benefit. It is not unlimited 5-minute calls.
After activation, incoming domestic calls and SMS are free and do not use prepaid credit. Beyond the one-time free call benefit, outbound domestic and international calls and outbound SMS require separate prepaid credit. Credit is available online through SKRoaming or offline at an SK Telecom Roaming Desk. BambooSIM does not sell or add SKT voice/SMS credit.
Balance alerts
SKT sends automated SMS notifications when credit is added, when your call/SMS balance drops below 1,000 KRW, and when the balance runs out. You can also check the real-time balance at skroaming.com.
T-Money promotion
The 2026 T-Money transit card promotion runs from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026. Eligible customers who purchase SKT eSIM Red or SKT SIM Gold for 3 days or longer can receive one free T-Money card by presenting the required voucher.
Pickup is available at four SK Telecom Roaming Desk locations: Incheon Airport Terminal 1, Incheon Airport Terminal 2, Gimhae Airport, and Gimpo Airport. Promotion details and stock may change. See SKRoaming for the latest details.