What works in South Korea

South Korea⚠️ Some limits

In Korea messengers and social networks work. The main inconvenience: Google Maps does not give walking or driving directions, so it is better to install Naver Map or Kakao Map.

• ⚠️
  Google (Search, Gmail, Maps) Google Maps works only partly: no turn-by-turn navigation for driving or walking; map export was approved on 27.02.2026, launch expected no earlier than 2027. Naver Map and Kakao Map are recommended.Source: nbcnews.com, 27.02.2026 · verified
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  Other North Korean sites (for example, Uriminzokkiri since 2010), porn and gambling sites are blocked; in February 2025 DeepSeek was temporarily removed from the app store.Source: rsf.org, 2010+ · according to rsf.org, 2010+

Getting round via a roaming eSIM: The Google Maps restriction concerns the map data itself, roaming does not bypass it.

What to do

• Google Maps has no walking or driving directions: install Naver Map or Kakao Map.
• Install and sign in to the apps you need at home: WhatsApp, Telegram, Privat24, monobank, Diia, Maps. Some app stores and sites may not open in the country.
• Keep your Ukrainian SIM in the phone with roaming on: bank SMS come to it. Switch data to the eSIM and turn off «Data roaming» on the Ukrainian SIM.
• About Tutu eSIM, honestly: Tutu eSIM is data only, without a number. Normal calls and SMS go through your Ukrainian SIM at roaming rates. So where calls in messengers are blocked, the eSIM alone won't open them.