Author: S. Park

Google Maps Driving in Korea: Why It Fails and What to Use

Google Maps won’t give you driving directions in Korea yet. You can search for places and get public transit routes, but the car mode returns nothing. To drive, you need a Korean navigation app, and some of them work in English.

What Google Maps can and can’t do in Korea

We checked Google Maps on the web on October 20, 2026, with a route from Seoul Station to Busan. Only the transit tab returned routes, mostly KTX trains at just under three hours. The car, walking and cycling tabs were grayed out with no time shown.

So Google Maps is still useful for looking up a place, reading reviews or checking a train. It just can’t guide you turn by turn behind the wheel.

The reason: Korea’s map export rules

Korea restricts taking detailed map data out of the country. Google says it can display Korean maps using 1:5,000 data bought from SK TMAP, but calculating routes needs the data in Google’s global data centers. That requires export approval.

On February 27, 2026, a government committee set up under Korea’s Spatial Information Act approved Google’s request to export 1:5,000 map data, with conditions. The exported data is limited to the base map and road and transport network needed for navigation. Military and security sites must be blurred, and Google must remove or limit how coordinates are displayed for places in Korea.

The joint government release adds that the data leaves Korea only after the government confirms those conditions are met. So approval wasn’t the same as launch. When we checked in October 2026, the car option still showed nothing.

Korean navigation apps compared

We compared four major Korean apps. The table shows what each app’s US App Store listing says. “Not stated” doesn’t mean no. It means the developer doesn’t say so on the listing.

App	App Store languages	English navigation (developer text)	CarPlay
NAVER Maps	English + 3 more	Stated: “English navigation provided”	Mentioned in release notes
KakaoMap	English and Korean	Not stated	Not mentioned in description or latest notes
Kakao Navi (카카오내비)	English, Japanese and Korean	Not stated	Mentioned in release notes
TMAP (티맵)	English and Korean	Not stated	Mentioned in release notes

Source: each app’s US App Store page, checked October 20, 2026. We didn’t check Android Auto. If you use Android, look at the Google Play listing on your phone.

NAVER Maps

NAVER Maps is the only one of the four whose listing explicitly mentions English navigation. It also offers maps in Korean, English, Japanese and Chinese. That makes it the most clearly documented option if you don’t read Korean.

Its October 2026 update added alerts for parking enforcement cameras near your destination and after arrival. For where you can’t stop and what a ticket costs, see our parking rules guide.

KakaoMap and Kakao Navi

KakaoMap’s listing says navigation is built in, so you don’t need a separate app to get directions. It lists English as an interface language, but doesn’t say whether spoken directions come in English.

Kakao Navi is Kakao’s dedicated driving app, with CarPlay and guidance voice updates in its release notes. One note adds a voice warning after you pass a rear-facing enforcement camera. On the US App Store, it appears under its Korean name, 카카오내비.

TMAP

TMAP shares its name with SK TMAP, whose 1:5,000 data Google says it uses to display Korean maps. The app’s release notes mention CarPlay and highway rest stop information. It’s listed under its Korean name, 티맵, so that name may help you find it.

As with both Kakao apps, the listing doesn’t state English voice guidance. If you can’t read Korean at all, test any of these three before relying on it for a long drive.

Set it up before you drive

The easiest time to set up is at your hotel, with no one waiting behind you.

Install and switch the language first. Download your app and set it to English before you pick up the car.
Save your destinations. Bookmark your hotel and first few stops while you’re still on Wi-Fi.
Keep the Korean name handy. Copy the Korean name or address from your booking. English spellings of Korean places vary, so the Korean version is usually easier to match.
Bring a phone mount. Korean law limits what you can do with a phone while driving (see the next section).

Phone rules while driving

Under the Road Traffic Act, Article 49(1):

No handheld phone use while driving. Exceptions include when the car is stopped, urgent reports such as crimes or disasters, and devices set by presidential decree that don’t interfere with safe driving.
Navigation on screen is allowed when the screen is mounted or cradled in the car.
No operating the screen while driving, with limited exceptions such as when the car is stopped.

The simple rule: set or change your route only when you’re stopped. Mount the phone where you can see it, and let voice guidance do the work.

Cameras, tolls and charging on your route

Camera alerts in navigation apps are a reminder, not a guarantee. Our guide to speed cameras in Korea explains speed limits, fines and who gets the ticket when you’re driving a rental.

Long drives often use toll highways. Our Korea highway tolls guide explains Hi-Pass, toll tickets and what happens with unpaid tolls. If you’re driving an EV, our EV charging guide compares public vs. private rates and shows how to pay.

What about the rental car’s built-in navigation?

If your rental has a built-in navigation screen, ask at pickup whether it has an English option. Our car rental guide for foreigners covers the documents and rules to check at the counter.

When will Google Maps add driving directions?

Google hasn’t given a date. In an August 25, 2026 Korea Herald report, Google confirmed its plan includes turn-by-turn navigation, but didn’t say when it would launch.

Until then, plan your trip around a Korean app. We’ll update this guide when Google’s driving mode goes live in Korea.

Last checked: October 20, 2026. Sources: joint government release on Google’s 1:5,000 map export approval (February 27, 2026, Ministry of Foreign Affairs posting, Korean); Google Korea blog Q&A on map data (August 5, 2025, Korean); Road Traffic Act Article 49 (Korean); US App Store pages for NAVER Maps, KakaoMap, Kakao Navi and TMAP; The Korea Herald (August 25, 2026); our own Google Maps web route check on October 20, 2026.

October 20, 2026

Kia Tasman in Korea: Gasoline Engine, Price, and How It Differs

In Korea, the Kia Tasman pickup comes with one engine: a 2.5-liter turbo gasoline four. In Australia, Kia’s official Tasman page describes it with a 2.2-liter turbo diesel. Both are sold as the Tasman, but with different engines.

We checked Kia’s Korean and Australian Tasman pages, plus Kia’s global launch release, on October 19, 2026. This guide covers what the Korean version has, what it costs in Korea, and where it differs from the truck Australians know.

The short answer

Korea: 2.5 turbo gasoline only, 281 PS, 8-speed automatic, 2WD or 4WD.
Australia: 2.2 turbo diesel, 154 kW and 440 Nm on Kia Australia’s page. We found no gasoline version there.
Middle East and Africa: Kia’s launch release says these markets get the 2.5 gasoline or the 2.2 diesel, depending on the country, with a 6-speed manual offered on the diesel in some.
US and UK: the Tasman is not listed on Kia’s US or UK lineup pages.

Kia doesn’t say why each market gets the engine it does.

Korea vs Australia at a glance

Korean figures come from Kia Korea’s spec, price and features pages for The 2027 Tasman. Australian figures come from Kia Australia’s page for the 2026 Tasman double cab pickup, which Kia Australia calls the Dual Cab Pick-up. Unit conversions marked “about” are our own.

	Korea	Australia
Engine	2.5 turbo gasoline, 2,497 cc	2.2 turbo diesel
Power	281 PS (about 277 hp)	154 kW (about 207 hp)
Torque	43.0 kgf·m (about 422 Nm / 311 lb-ft)	440 Nm (about 325 lb-ft)
Transmission	8-speed automatic	Automatic (8-speed, per Kia’s global release)
Drive	2WD or 4WD; X-Pro listed with 4WD only	S grade in 4×2 or 4×4; other grades 4×4
Max towing	3,500 kg (about 7,716 lb)	3,500 kg braked (about 7,716 lb)
Payload	700 kg (about 1,543 lb), 2WD figure	Up to 1,000 kg (about 2,205 lb)
Trims	Dynamic, Adventure, Best Selection, Extreme, X-Pro	S, SX, SX+, X-Line, X-Pro

The payload figures aren’t a like-for-like comparison. Kia Korea gives 700 kg as the 2WD figure, while Kia Australia gives “up to” 1,000 kg across its range. Neither page explains the gap.

The Korean Tasman’s engine and size

Kia Korea’s spec page lists a single powertrain, 가솔린 2.5 터보 (gasoline 2.5 turbo). It makes 281 PS and 43.0 kgf·m from 1,750 to 4,000 rpm, through an eight-speed automatic.

Kia’s global launch release lists the Korean engine at 281 PS and 421 Nm, which matches the kgf·m figure. At that October 2024 launch, Kia quoted 0–100 km/h in 8.5 seconds and a 185 km/h top speed for the Korean model.

The Korean truck is 5,410 mm long (about 213.0 in) and 1,930 mm wide (about 76.0 in). It stands 1,870 mm high (about 73.6 in), or 1,920 mm (about 75.6 in) for the X-Pro, on a 3,270 mm wheelbase (about 128.7 in).

Suspension is double wishbone at the front and a rigid axle at the rear. Kia lists 265/65R17 and 265/60R18 tires for the other trims and 265/70R17 for the X-Pro.

Korean trims and prices

Kia Korea’s price list for The 2027 Tasman is dated October 1, 2026. These are starting prices in Korean won:

Trim	Korean	Starting price	4WD
Dynamic	다이내믹	₩35,000,000	₩2,650,000 option
Adventure	어드벤처	₩41,200,000	₩2,650,000 option
Best Selection	베스트 셀렉션	₩43,500,000	Standard
Extreme	익스트림	₩45,050,000	₩2,650,000 option
X-Pro	X-Pro	₩52,550,000	Standard

Best Selection is built on the Adventure. Kia adds electronic 4WD (전자식 4WD), terrain modes and a locking differential, plus extra parking and camera features.

Kia Korea also lists a separate model, 타스만 오픈베드 (Tasman Open Bed), in its taxi, bus and commercial section. Its photos show a single-row cab with a flat load deck, and it starts at ₩33,990,000.

Comparing prices with Australia

We haven’t converted the won prices into dollars, because a straight exchange-rate figure would mislead. The Korean and Australian trucks have different engines, trim lineups and taxes.

Kia Australia’s build-and-price tool shows drive-away prices only after you enter a postcode. It also says its estimates cover 2025 build vehicles, and that buyers should ask a dealer about 2026 builds. For an Australian price, use that tool or a local dealer.

Trim names don’t line up

Korea and Australia each list five trims, and only X-Pro appears in both. In Korea it’s the top trim.

Kia doesn’t publish a match between Korean trims like Extreme and Australian grades like SX+. Features differ by market, so check the equipment list rather than assuming two trims are the same.

Kia’s October 2024 launch release named a base double cab, an X-Line and an X-Pro. Australia’s current list includes an X-Line; Korea’s doesn’t.

Fuel economy of the Korean Tasman

Korea’s official ratings use the Korean government’s test procedure, so they aren’t directly comparable with EPA or WLTP figures. Combined ratings for the standard versions without a built-in dashcam:

Version (17-inch wheels)	Combined	Our conversions
2WD	8.6 km/L	about 20.2 US mpg / 11.6 L/100km
4WD	8.1 km/L	about 19.1 US mpg / 12.3 L/100km
X-Pro 4WD	7.7 km/L	about 18.1 US mpg / 13.0 L/100km

Kia Korea lists lower ratings for trucks with the built-in dashcam or a customizing package. Trucks with the Single Decker or Double Decker package are classed as special-purpose vehicles and have no official rating.

Is the Tasman sold in the US or UK?

It isn’t listed. On October 19, 2026, the Tasman didn’t appear on Kia’s US vehicles page or its UK new-car range. That tells you what those pages show today, not what Kia might do later.

The Tasman also showed up as a “close call” in our list of Hyundai and Kia models missing from the US, UK and Australian lineups, because it’s listed in Australia. For another Korea-vs-Australia split, see our Hyundai Staria guide.

Searching for the Korean version

Korean listings and reviews use 타스만 for the Tasman. A listing for 타스만 오픈베드 is the separate Open Bed commercial model, not the standard pickup.

Korean trim names appear in Korean too, such as 다이내믹 or 익스트림. Our Hyundai and Kia name lookup table covers the rest of both lineups.

Last checked: October 19, 2026. Sources: Kia Korea, The 2027 Tasman specifications, prices and features, and Tasman Open Bed (in Korean); Kia Australia, Tasman and Build & Price; Kia Worldwide, Tasman launch release (October 2024); Kia US vehicles; Kia UK new cars. Unit conversions (hp, Nm, lb-ft, lb, in, mpg, L/100km) are our own.

October 19, 2026

Car Accident in Korea: What to Do and When to Call the Police

Most drivers know to stop after a crash. Fewer know what Korean law expects next: who you must help, what you must hand over, and when a call to the police is required rather than optional.

This guide walks through those steps in order, using the Road Traffic Act and the two laws that decide what happens afterward. It also covers how insurance changes the criminal side of an injury crash.

The short answer

Stop immediately, help anyone who is hurt, and give the other party your name, phone number and address.
Report to the police unless only vehicles were damaged and you have made the road safe. Any injury means you report.
On expressways, put out a warning triangle behind the car and move people behind the guardrail.
Failing to stop, help the injured or give your details is a crime, with up to five years in prison or a fine of up to KRW 15 million.
If someone is injured, insurance can keep a careless driver from being prosecuted, but not in twelve listed situations, not after a death, and not if the driver fled.

Right after the crash

On an expressway, get people to safety first (see the next section). Then the legal duties apply.

Article 54(1) of the Road Traffic Act (도로교통법) applies whenever a vehicle injures or kills someone or damages property. The driver, and other crew if there are any, must stop at once and do two things.

Help the injured. The law says to take the necessary steps to aid casualties. In practice that starts with calling 119, which handles ambulances and rescue.

Give your details to the victim. The article means details such as your name, phone number and address. If the other driver isn’t there, as with a parked car you have scraped, you still have to leave your details. Doing nothing in that case is a separate offense under Article 156, item 10, punishable by a fine of up to KRW 200,000, detention or a minor fine.

Making the scene safe

On expressways and motor-vehicle-only roads, Article 66 of the act requires a driver whose car can’t move to set out a warning sign and move the car off the expressway or take other necessary steps.

Article 40 of the Enforcement Rule (도로교통법 시행규칙) names the sign: a safety triangle. At night you also need a red flare, flashing light or electric lamp that can be seen from 500 meters away in every direction (about 1,640 feet, our conversion). Both go where drivers coming from behind can see them.

The Korea Expressway Corporation gives this order on its secondary-accident prevention page:

Turn on your hazard lights.
Move the car to the shoulder or another safe spot.
Put the triangle behind the car, plus a flare at night.
Get everyone out and behind the guardrail.
Report to 112 (police) and 119 (fire and ambulance), and call 1588-2504 for emergency towing.

The same page says a crash into a car or person already stopped after an earlier accident or breakdown is about six times as deadly as an ordinary crash. Standing next to a damaged car in a live lane is the risk this order is built to avoid.

When you must report to the police

Article 54(2) requires the driver to report without delay to an officer at the scene, or to the nearest police station if none is there. Small local police boxes (지구대, 파출소) count. The report covers:

where the crash happened
how many people were hurt or killed, and how badly
what was damaged, and how badly
what else you have done

The one exception. You don’t have to report when it is clear that only vehicles were damaged and you have taken the steps needed to prevent danger and keep traffic moving. If anyone is hurt, even slightly, the exception doesn’t apply. The same goes for damage to anything other than a vehicle, such as a guardrail or wall.

Failing to report when you must is punishable under Article 154, item 4, by a fine of up to KRW 300,000 or detention. Calling 112 reaches the police directly.

The police may ask you to wait at the scene until an officer arrives (Article 54(3)), and officers there can give you instructions for helping the injured and keeping traffic safe (Article 54(4)).

In an emergency, call 112 or 119 first. The Korean National Police Agency’s English site also lists 1330, the Foreign Tourist Information line.

Leaving the scene

Driving off without stopping, helping the injured or giving your details is covered by Article 148. The penalty is up to five years in prison or a fine of up to KRW 15 million.

The article carves out one case: a crash where only a parked or stopped car was damaged and the driver failed to leave details. That case falls under the smaller Article 156 offense described above. It is still an offense, so leave a note with your name and number, or wait for the owner.

If someone is injured: how insurance affects prosecution

Injuring someone through negligent driving can be a crime in Korea, under Article 268 of the Criminal Act. The Act on Special Cases Concerning the Settlement of Traffic Accidents (교통사고처리 특례법) sets the penalty and then limits when prosecutors can use it.

The penalty. Article 3(1) sets up to five years’ imprisonment (without labor) or a fine of up to KRW 20 million when a driver causes death or injury through negligence while driving.

The victim’s wishes. Under Article 3(2), a driver who carelessly injures someone, or carelessly damages property (Road Traffic Act Article 151), can’t be prosecuted against the victim’s clearly stated wishes, unless an exception below applies.

Insurance. Article 4 goes further. It applies when the car is covered by insurance or a mutual-aid scheme that pays the victim’s full medical costs up front and, in the end, the full damages set by a court. Then the driver can’t be prosecuted for those offenses, unless an exception below applies. The insurer must confirm the cover in writing.

Where neither protection applies. Both rules cover injury and property damage only. They don’t cover a death. They also fall away in these cases:

Situation	Where it comes from
Leaving without helping the victim, or moving and abandoning them	Art. 3(2), proviso
Refusing or obstructing a breath test for alcohol (unless you asked for or agreed to a blood test)	Art. 3(2), proviso
Running a signal or ignoring an officer’s signal, or ignoring a no-entry or stop sign	Art. 3(2), item 1
Crossing the center line, or an illegal U-turn, crossing or reversing on an expressway	Item 2
Driving more than 20 km/h over the limit	Item 3
Illegal overtaking or cutting in	Item 4
Breaking the rules at a railroad crossing	Item 5
Failing to protect a pedestrian on a crosswalk	Item 6
Driving without a license, or without carrying an international driving permit	Item 7
Driving drunk or impaired by drugs	Item 8
Driving onto a sidewalk	Item 9
Failing to prevent passengers from falling out	Item 10
Injuring a child in a children’s protection (school) zone through a breach of the duty of care	Item 11
Failing to secure cargo	Item 12

Insurance protection also ends under Article 4(1) if the victim’s injury becomes life-threatening, leaves them disabled, or causes an incurable or hard-to-cure illness. It ends as well if the policy is void or cancelled, or the insurer owes nothing because of an exclusion in the contract.

Item 7 matters for visitors. Its wording covers driving without an international driving permit on you. Our guide to Korea’s international driving permit rules explains which permits Korea accepts.

Whether a case falls into any of these categories is decided by the police and prosecutors, not by the other driver or an insurer. If you are told you may be charged, ask the investigating police station what applies to your case, or speak to a lawyer.

Insurance and rental cars

The Motor Vehicle Accident Compensation Guarantee Act (자동차손해배상 보장법) makes liability insurance compulsory. Article 5 requires every owner to carry cover for death and injury to others, plus cover for damage to others’ property. Rental companies must also carry extra injury cover above the compulsory limit (Article 5(3)).

Under Article 10, a victim can claim directly from the at-fault driver’s insurer rather than waiting for the driver to pay. If someone is injured or killed by a car whose owner can’t be identified, or by an uninsured driver, Article 30 lets the government pay compensation up to the compulsory insurance limit. This covers injury and death, not damage to vehicles.

If you were driving a rental, call the company as soon as everyone is safe. What its insurance covers, the deductible on damage to the car itself, and charges for the days it is off the road all come from your contract. Our guide to renting a car in Korea goes through those terms in the government’s model rental contract.

What to record before you leave

Do this only where it is safe. On an expressway, move first and take photos later. None of it is a legal requirement, but it makes the police report and any insurance claim easier.

Photos of both cars, their positions on the road, plates and any skid marks or debris
The other driver’s name, phone number and insurer
Names and numbers of witnesses
Dashcam footage, saved before it is overwritten
The name of the police station or officer handling the report

Before you drive

Check that the car has a warning triangle, and a red flare or flashing lamp if you will drive on expressways at night.
Save 112, 119, 1330 and, for expressways, 1588-2504 in your phone.
If you rent, note the company’s accident number from the contract.
Keep your international driving permit with you, not in your luggage.

Last checked: October 18, 2026. Sources: Road Traffic Act, Articles 54, 66, 148, 151, 154 and 156, Enforcement Rule of the Road Traffic Act, Article 40, Act on Special Cases Concerning the Settlement of Traffic Accidents, Articles 3 and 4 and Motor Vehicle Accident Compensation Guarantee Act, Articles 5, 10 and 30 (Korean Law Information Center, in Korean); Korea Expressway Corporation, secondary-accident prevention page (in Korean); Korean National Police Agency (English).

October 18, 2026

Kia K8: The Big Sedan That Follows the Cadenza in Korea

In Korea, Kia’s large sedan isn’t called the Cadenza or the K7. It’s the K8, a name Kia introduced in 2021 for a car built on the K7’s success.

The K8 is on Kia’s Korean lineup but not on its US, UK or Australian ones. This guide covers where the name came from, how big the car is, its four powertrains, its official Korean fuel economy and what it costs in Korea.

The short answer

What it is: a large sedan, 5,050 mm (198.8 in) long, sold in Korea as The 2027 K8.
Cadenza link: Kia’s 2021 launch release calls the K8 a new name that builds on the K7, known as the Cadenza in some markets.
Powertrains: 2.5 gas, 3.5 gas (with an AWD version), 3.5 LPG and 1.6 turbo hybrid.
Where it’s listed: Korea. Not listed on Kia’s US, UK or Australian lineups when we checked on October 17, 2026.

From K7 and Cadenza to K8

In February 2021, Kia announced the K8 as the first sedan to wear its new logo. The release describes the K8 as a new model name for Kia. It also says the K8 builds on the success of the K7, which it notes was known as the Cadenza in some markets.

By length, the K8 sits between the K5 and the K9 in Kia’s Korean lineup.

We didn’t find a reason in Kia’s materials for the K8’s absence from the US, UK and Australian lineups. It’s one of five models in our list of Hyundai and Kia models missing from the US, UK and Australian lineups. That guide explains how we checked each market.

How big is the K8?

The easiest way to place it is next to Kia’s other Korean sedans. Of the three, only the K5 is also on Kia’s US lineup.

Sedan	Length	Wheelbase	Powertrains in Korea	Starting price in Korea
K5	4,905 mm (193.1 in)	2,850 mm (112.2 in)	1.6 turbo gas, 2.0 gas, 2.0 LPG, 2.0 hybrid	KRW 27,630,000
K8	5,050 mm (198.8 in)	2,895 mm (114.0 in)	2.5 gas, 3.5 gas, 3.5 LPG, 1.6 turbo hybrid	KRW 37,310,000
K9	5,140 mm (202.4 in)	3,105 mm (122.2 in)	3.8 gas, 3.3 turbo gas	KRW 60,340,000

Sizes and powertrains are from Kia Korea’s spec pages for The 2027 K5, The 2027 K8 and The 2026 K9. Starting prices are the “from” prices shown on the same pages, each for the trim that page names. Inch figures are our own conversions.

The K8 is 1,880 mm (74.0 in) wide and 1,455 mm (57.3 in) tall on 17- to 19-inch wheels, or 1,480 mm (58.3 in) on 20-inch wheels. It’s 145 mm longer than the K5 and 90 mm shorter than the K9, by our subtraction.

The four K8 powertrains

Kia Korea’s spec page for The 2027 K8 lists these outputs. Kia gives power in PS and torque in kgf·m. The hp and Nm figures in brackets are our conversions.

Powertrain	Engine size	Max power	Max torque	Transmission
2.5 gas	2,497 cc	198 PS (195 hp)	25.3 kgf·m (248 Nm)	8-speed automatic
3.5 gas	3,470 cc	300 PS (296 hp)	36.6 kgf·m (359 Nm)	8-speed automatic (AWD version available)
3.5 LPG	3,470 cc	240 PS (237 hp)	32.0 kgf·m (314 Nm)	8-speed automatic
1.6 turbo hybrid	1,598 cc	Electric motor 47.7 kW	27.0 kgf·m (265 Nm) engine, 264 Nm motor	6-speed automatic

For the hybrid, the spec page lists the motor’s output but not a combined system output, so we haven’t given one. AWD appears only with the 3.5 gas engine in the fuel economy listings.

The mix of engines will look familiar if you know Hyundai’s Korean lineup. The Grandeur is also offered with 2.5 and 3.5 gas, 3.5 LPG and a 1.6 turbo hybrid with a 47.7 kW motor, according to Hyundai Korea’s price lists. Our guide to what happened to the Hyundai Azera covers that car.

Official fuel economy in Korea

Kia lists each version’s government-reported fuel economy (정부 신고 연비) in km/L, split by wheel size. Bigger wheels come with the same or lower figures. Here are the combined figures for the smallest and largest wheel each version is listed with. Kia also lists city and highway figures, which the converter below shows.

Version	Wheel sizes listed	Combined, km/L
2.5 gas	17 to 20 in	12.0 to 11.3
3.5 gas	18 to 20 in	10.1 to 9.9
3.5 gas AWD	18 to 20 in	9.1 to 9.0
3.5 LPG	17 to 18 in	8.0 to 7.8
1.6 turbo hybrid	17 to 19 in	18.1 to 16.1

Kia notes that these come from a standard test mode and that real-world economy varies with road conditions, driving style, load, maintenance and outside temperature. They aren’t EPA or WLTP figures, so don’t compare them directly with a US window sticker or a UK brochure.

Kia also lists an 18-inch hybrid with its built-in dashcam (빌트인 캠) fitted, at 16.7 km/L combined. That’s inside the range above, and the converter includes it.

The LPG figure is per liter of LPG, not gasoline, so it isn’t directly comparable with the others.

K8 fuel economy converter

Pick a version and wheel size to see Kia’s official Korean figures in US mpg, UK mpg and L/100 km. Or type in any km/L figure.

K8 version

Wheel size

km/L

Figures from Kia Korea’s specification page for The 2027 K8 (government-reported fuel economy, standard test mode). Last checked October 17, 2026. mpg and L/100 km are our unit conversions, not EPA or WLTP ratings.

The LPG K8

The 3.5 LPG runs on liquefied petroleum gas instead of gasoline, from the same 3,470 cc engine size as the 3.5 gas. Who can register an LPG car, and how LPG is taxed, are separate questions this guide doesn’t cover.

Kia Korea also lists a separate K8 Taxi in its taxi section. That’s a different listing from the regular K8 covered here.

What the K8 costs in Korea

On October 17, 2026, Kia Korea’s K8 page showed a starting price of KRW 37,310,000. That’s for the 2.5 gas in its Noblesse Light (노블레스 라이트) trim. Prices for other trims and powertrains are in Kia’s Korean price list.

Prices and trims can change, so check the current price list (under the 승용, passenger car, tab) rather than relying on this figure. We haven’t converted it to dollars or pounds, since exchange rates move.

Searching for a K8 in Korean

The K8 needs no translation: it’s written K8 in Korean too. Kia Korea’s own pages call the current car The 2027 K8. For the older car, search K7, its name in Korea, rather than Cadenza.

If you only know a car’s US or UK name, our Hyundai and Kia name lookup table lets you type it in and find the Korean name.

Where to check

Korean specs and prices: Kia Korea K8 specifications and Kia Korea catalog and price lists (in Korean)
The name history: Kia’s February 2021 K8 announcement on Kia’s global newsroom
Other markets: Kia US vehicles, Kia UK new cars and Kia Australia

Last checked: October 17, 2026. Sources: Kia Korea specification pages for The 2027 K8, The 2027 K5 and The 2026 K9 (sizes, powertrains, fuel economy, starting prices); Kia’s global newsroom release on the K8, February 2021; Kia vehicle lineup pages for the US, UK and Australia. Grandeur powertrains are from Hyundai Korea’s price lists (checked October 11, 2026). Inch, hp, Nm, mpg and L/100 km figures are our own conversions.

October 17, 2026

Parking in Korea: Where You Can’t Stop and What a Ticket Costs

Many of Korea’s no-parking rules are distances written into the law. Within 5 meters of an intersection corner, within 10 meters of a bus stop or crosswalk, and on the sidewalk, you can’t even stop. These distances come from the law itself, so they apply whether or not a sign is posted.

This guide covers where stopping and parking are banned and what a ticket costs for a car. It also explains towing, and who gets the bill when the car was a rental.

The short answer

No stopping, no parking: intersections, crosswalks, railroad crossings, sidewalks, and set distances from corners, bus stops, crosswalks and fire hydrants. Children’s protection zones count too.
Cost for a passenger car: KRW 40,000 for most spots, KRW 80,000 at a marked fire-facility spot, and KRW 120,000 in a children’s protection zone between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Each rises by KRW 10,000 if the car stays two hours or more in the same place.
Who pays: the fine is issued by the city, county or district office and goes to the person responsible for the car. On a rental, that is normally the renter.
Disability parking spaces are covered by a separate law. Parking in one without a permit costs KRW 100,000.

Stopping and parking are different things

Article 2 of the Road Traffic Act (도로교통법) defines both. Stopping (정차) means halting the car for no more than 5 minutes, in a way that isn’t parking.

Parking (주차) is keeping the car stationary to wait for passengers, load cargo, deal with a breakdown or for any other reason. It also covers leaving the car so you can’t drive it away at once. So stepping away from the car, even briefly, can make a stop count as parking.

The difference matters because the law has two lists. Some places ban both, and some ban parking only.

Where you can’t stop or park

Article 32 of the Road Traffic Act bans both stopping and parking in these places:

Place	Distance
Intersections, crosswalks and railroad crossings	On them
Sidewalks on roads where the sidewalk is separate from the roadway	On them (except on-street parking lots marked across both)
The edge of an intersection or a road corner	Within 5 m
A safety zone (안전지대)	Within 10 m on every side
A bus stop post, sign or line	Within 10 m
The edge of a railroad crossing, or a crosswalk	Within 10 m
Fire hydrants, water towers and water tanks for firefighting, emergency fire-fighting devices (비상소화장치), and certain fire-department inlets on buildings	Within 5 m
Places the provincial police designate	As signed
Children’s protection zones (school zones) designated by local governments	Inside the zone

For reference, 5 m is about 16 feet and 10 m about 33 feet (our conversions). The building fire-department inlets are those listed in Article 10-3 of the Enforcement Decree. They include sprinkler and standpipe connections.

Buses may stop at their own stops to pick up and drop off passengers. Article 32 also allows a stop when you’re following police instructions, or halting briefly to avoid danger.

Places where you can stop but not park

Article 33 adds a second list where a quick stop is fine but parking isn’t:

Inside tunnels and on bridges
Within 5 m of either edge of a road construction area
Within 5 m of certain buildings housing multi-use businesses, where the fire department has asked the police to designate the spot
Other places the provincial police designate

When a sign says otherwise

Signs can open some banned spots. Under Article 34-2, where the provincial police allow stopping or parking by sign, setting the area, hours, method and vehicle type, you may park there. That applies to police-designated spots, children’s protection zones and police-designated no-parking spots.

The distance rules for corners, crosswalks, bus stops and fire facilities aren’t on that list. Read the sign for the hours and vehicle types it allows.

How to stop and park legally

Article 34 and Article 11 of the Enforcement Decree set the basic method. When stopping on a road, pull over to the right edge of the roadway. If the road has no separate sidewalk, leave at least 50 cm (about 20 inches) from the right edge.

On the road, follow the place, hours and method the provincial police set. Don’t block other traffic.

On a slope, Article 34-3 requires steps to stop the car rolling, such as placing a wheel chock or turning the wheels toward the edge of the road. That applies to slopes off the road as well.

What a parking ticket costs

The amounts below are administrative fines (과태료) under Annexes 6 and 7 of the Enforcement Decree of the Road Traffic Act. The annexes split vehicles into two classes:

Passenger car class (승용자동차등): passenger cars and trucks of 4 metric tons or less.
Van class (승합자동차등): vans and buses (승합자동차), trucks over 4 metric tons, special vehicles, construction machinery and trams.

Where	Passenger car class	Van class
Most no-stopping and no-parking spots	KRW 40,000 (50,000)	KRW 50,000 (60,000)
Fire-facility spot marked with a safety sign	KRW 80,000 (90,000)	KRW 90,000 (100,000)
Children’s protection zone, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.	KRW 120,000 (130,000)	KRW 130,000 (140,000)
A no-stopping or no-parking spot inside a senior or disability protection zone, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.	KRW 80,000 (90,000)	KRW 90,000 (100,000)

Amounts in brackets apply when the car stays in the same place for two hours or more. A fire-facility spot without the safety sign is charged at the ordinary rate.

Local governments put the safety sign at fire-facility spots they consider especially important for firefighting, under Article 10-3(2) of the decree. Article 88(4) applies the higher protection-zone amounts only from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Senior and disability protection zones don’t ban parking as a whole. Their row applies when you use one of the banned spots listed earlier inside such a zone.

Outside 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., a children’s protection zone still bans stopping and parking, at the ordinary rate of KRW 40,000 for a car.

The parking rows of these tables don’t list motorcycles, so this guide covers cars, vans and trucks only.

Parking fine lookup

For cars, vans and trucks. Pick where the car was and how long it stayed.

Where was the car?

Vehicle

Time of day

How long in the same place?

Amounts from Annexes 6 and 7 of the Enforcement Decree of the Road Traffic Act, and Annex 3 of the Enforcement Decree of the Act on Guarantee of Convenience Promotion for Persons with Disabilities, the Aged and Pregnant Women. Last checked October 16, 2026. This shows the standard amount, not a legal decision. Check the notice for what you actually owe.

How the ticket reaches you

Under Article 88(2) of the decree, the local office either puts a notice on the car and photographs it, or records it with enforcement cameras. The fine then goes to the person responsible for the car, not necessarily the driver.

Annex 8 of the decree also sets a driver’s fine (범칙금) for these violations, which police can issue to an identified driver. That is a separate process with its own amounts. Our guide to speed camera fines explains how the two routes differ, and how early payment can reduce an administrative fine.

Disability parking spaces

Disability-only parking spaces (장애인전용주차구역) fall under the Act on Guarantee of Convenience Promotion for Persons with Disabilities, the Aged and Pregnant Women (장애인ㆍ노인ㆍ임산부 등의 편의증진 보장에 관한 법률). Article 17 bans parking there without a disability parking permit. It also bans parking with a permit when no one with a walking disability is in the car.

The fine is KRW 100,000 in either case, under Annex 3 of that Act’s Enforcement Decree. Blocking a space, for example by leaving objects in it or blocking its access path, costs KRW 500,000.

Annex 3 lets the issuing office lower or raise these amounts by up to half, depending on the case. A raised fine still can’t exceed the Act’s ceilings of KRW 200,000 and KRW 1,000,000.

The permit Article 17 refers to is one issued in Korea, by the Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs or a local government head. Article 17 says nothing about foreign permits, so don’t assume yours counts.

Towing

Article 35 lets the police and local governments order an illegally parked car moved when it could cause danger or block traffic. In some cases they can change how the car is parked themselves or, where unavoidable, have it moved to a place they designate.

The office must then tell the car’s user or driver and arrange its return. If no one claims it within one month of that notice, the car can be sold or scrapped.

Towing, storage and related costs fall on the car’s user. Article 36 lets offices hand towing and storage to contractors. We haven’t checked the amounts, so ask the office named on the notice.

If you were driving a rental car

When the violation is shown by photo or video and the driver can’t be identified, Article 160(3) lets the office fine the person responsible for the car, up to KRW 200,000. As our speed camera guide sets out, the law counts a renter as that person. It excludes the rental company when it is clear the company only rented the car out.

The Korea Fair Trade Commission’s model rental contract names parking fines among the charges the renter owes from the rental period. Ask at pick-up how your company handles fines that arrive after you’ve left Korea. Our guide to renting a car in Korea covers what the law and rental companies each require at pick-up.

Checking and paying a parking fine

Article 161(1) assigns parking fines to the mayor, county head or district head (시장등), and to the governor in Jeju. Speed camera fines, by contrast, come from the provincial police. So the office to contact is the one named on your notice.

Parking fines are local non-tax revenue (세외수입), not taxes. Wetax, Korea’s online site for local taxes, has a menu for local non-tax revenue due (지방세외수입 납부대상). It also has one for submitting an opinion on an administrative fine (과태료 의견제출신청).

When we opened Wetax on October 16, 2026, we found no English menu. We haven’t confirmed that every parking fine can be paid there, so follow the payment options on your notice. If you think a fine is wrong, contact the issuing office named on the notice. A rental company can tell you what it charges under your contract, but it can’t decide the legal question.

Before you park

Count the meters: 5 m from corners and fire hydrants, 10 m from bus stops and crosswalks.
Assume no stopping in a school zone unless a sign says parking is allowed, and remember the higher daytime fines.
Leave the car only where parking is allowed. Stepping away from it can turn a stop into parking.
Don’t use a disability parking space without a Korean permit.
On a slope, turn the wheels toward the curb or use a wheel chock.
If you rent, keep your contract and ask how parking fines are passed on.

Last checked: October 16, 2026. Sources: Road Traffic Act, Articles 2, 32, 33, 34, 34-2, 34-3, 35, 36, 160 and 161, Enforcement Decree of the Road Traffic Act, Articles 10-3, 11 and 88 and Annexes 6, 7 and 8, Framework Act on Firefighting, Article 10, Act on Guarantee of Convenience Promotion for Persons with Disabilities, the Aged and Pregnant Women, Articles 17 and 27 and its Enforcement Decree, Annex 3 (Korean Law Information Center, in Korean); Standard Terms for Car Rental No. 10064 (Korea Fair Trade Commission, in Korean); Wetax (in Korean).

October 16, 2026

Hyundai Staria Explained: Korean Versions vs Australia and the UK

In Korea, the Hyundai Staria (스타리아) comes as a people mover with up to 11 seats or as a cargo van, with LPG, hybrid or electric power. Australia’s Staria page lists diesel, which Korea’s lineup doesn’t, and tops out at eight seats. The UK is waiting on an electric version, and the US lineup doesn’t list the Staria at all.

We checked Hyundai’s Korean, Australian, UK and US pages on October 15, 2026. This guide sets out what each market lists, and what the Korean version names mean when you read Korean listings.

The Staria in Korea at a glance

Hyundai Korea sells the current Staria as 더 뉴 스타리아 (The New Staria), with each powertrain on its own model page. Prices are the starting figures those pages show, before options.

Model	Powertrain	Tourer	Cargo	From
The New Staria	3.5 LPG, 240 PS, 8-speed auto	11 seats	3 or 5 seats	KRW 32,590,000
Staria Hybrid	1.6 turbo hybrid, 245 PS system output, 6-speed auto	9 or 11 seats	2 or 5 seats	KRW 36,250,000
Staria Electric	84.0 kWh battery, 160 kW motor	11 seats	3 or 5 seats	KRW 57,920,000

All three pages list the same exterior dimensions: 5,255 mm (206.9 in) long and 1,995 mm (78.5 in) wide, with a 3,275 mm (128.9 in) wheelbase. The Tourer is 1,990 mm (78.3 in) tall and the Cargo 2,000 mm (78.7 in). Inch figures are our own conversions.

Hyundai Korea lists combined ratings of 6.7 km/L for the 11-seat LPG Tourer and 12.7 km/L for the Hybrid Tourer, for versions without the built-in dash cam. These are figures reported to the Korean government, so don’t compare them directly with US EPA or UK ratings. Hyundai Korea’s catalog doesn’t list a diesel Staria.

Tourer vs Cargo

Tourer (투어러) is the passenger version, and Cargo (카고) is the van. The Hybrid Tourer comes with 9 or 11 seats, while the LPG and Electric pages list an 11-seat Tourer. The Cargo comes with two, three or five seats, and Hyundai pitches the 5-seat version for carrying people as well as goods.

They differ underneath, too. Hyundai Korea lists multi-link rear suspension for the Staria, with a rigid rear axle on the Cargo.

Hyundai Korea also shows purpose-built versions. The LPG model page includes a wheelchair-lift van, and the Hybrid page includes an ambulance and a more heavily equipped special ambulance.

Lounge and other versions in Hyundai’s Korean catalog

Hyundai Korea’s catalog and price list page lists more Staria versions than the three main models. Under its MPV heading are Lounge (라운지), Limousine (리무진) and Kinder (킨더) versions. A Lounge Electric is listed in the page’s EV section, and Limousine Electric and Lounge Mobility versions also appear on the page.

We only checked the Lounge in detail. Its model page shows the 3.5 LPG engine and a 7-seat layout, from KRW 47,720,000. We haven’t checked what the Limousine, Kinder or Lounge Mobility versions include.

Why 9 and 11 seats matter in Korea

Korea’s expressway bus lanes aren’t only for buses. Under the Road Traffic Act Enforcement Decree, a passenger car or van with 9 or more seats can use an expressway bus lane. If it’s a passenger car or a van with 12 seats or fewer, it also needs at least six people on board.

That means a 9- or 11-seat Staria Tourer qualifies when six or more people are riding. A Cargo van, or the 7-seat Lounge we checked, doesn’t meet the seat count.

The Staria in Australia, the UK and the US

Australia: Hyundai Australia lists the Staria, Staria Lounge and Staria Load van, plus Load Hybrid and Load Electric. Its Staria page lists petrol, diesel and hybrid drivetrains, with 7 seats (Lounge only) or 8 seats.
UK: Hyundai UK’s model page marks the Staria “Coming soon,” and the tile leads to a Staria Electric page. That page lists an 84 kWh battery, up to 248 miles of range and a choice of 7 or 9 seats, including a Luxury 7-seater. It also notes that UK specification may vary.
US: Hyundai USA’s vehicle lineup doesn’t list the Staria.

Of the four markets’ pages, only Korea’s show an 11-seat Staria or an LPG engine. Only Australia’s Staria page lists diesel. Because Australia sells it, the Staria just missed our list of Hyundai and Kia models missing from all three lineups.

Range figures don’t line up across markets. Hyundai Korea says its range figures are based on government-certified values, and the 11-seat Tourer Electric is rated at 371 km (about 230 mi). We couldn’t see the footnote behind Hyundai UK’s 248-mile figure, so we haven’t compared the two.

Searching Korean listings for a Staria

These are the terms Hyundai Korea uses on its Staria pages:

스타리아: Staria
투어러 / 카고: Tourer / Cargo
라운지: Lounge
하이브리드 / 일렉트릭: Hybrid / Electric
9인승 / 11인승: 9-seat / 11-seat (인승 means “seats”)

Hyundai Korea also puts 더 뉴 (The New) in front of the name. Our guide to Hyundai and Kia models missing abroad explains what Korean prefixes like this usually mark.

Where to check

Versions, seats and prices can change between model years, so check the official pages before relying on this guide:

Korea: Hyundai’s The New Staria, Staria Hybrid and Staria Electric and Staria Lounge pages, and its catalog and price lists (all in Korean)
Australia: Hyundai Australia Staria and the full Australian range
UK: Hyundai UK models and the Staria Electric page
US: Hyundai USA vehicles
Bus lane rule: Road Traffic Act Enforcement Decree on Korea’s National Law Information Center, Appended Table 1 (in Korean)

Last checked: October 15, 2026. Sources: Hyundai Korea’s The New Staria, Staria Hybrid, Staria Electric and Staria Lounge model pages and its catalog and price list page; the Hyundai Australia, Hyundai UK and Hyundai USA lineup pages, the Hyundai Australia Staria page and the Hyundai UK Staria Electric page; and the Road Traffic Act Enforcement Decree, Appended Table 1.

October 15, 2026

Hyundai and Kia Models Missing From the US, UK and Australian Lineups

Grandeur, Casper, Ray, K8 and K9 are everyday names in Korea. You won’t find any of them on Hyundai’s or Kia’s US, UK or Australian lineup pages.

We compared both brands’ current Korean lineups, leaving out commercial models, with their official US, UK and Australian lineups on October 14, 2026. This guide covers the five models that appear in Korea but on none of the other three, and what each one is.

How we decided what counts

A model made this list only if it was not listed on all three of these pages: the brand’s US vehicle lineup, its UK model range and its Australian model range. “Not listed” means just that. It doesn’t mean the car is sold nowhere else. We only checked these three markets.

We left out Genesis, which is a separate brand, along with taxis and commercial trucks and vans such as the Porter, Bongo, ST1 and PV5. The Staria and the Tasman stayed in the check, because Hyundai and Kia list them among their regular Korean models.

Cars that only change their name abroad, like the Avante (Elantra in the US) or the Morning (Picanto in the UK), aren’t on this list either. Our Hyundai and Kia name lookup table pairs those up.

Hyundai and Kia don’t publish reasons for leaving a model out of a market, so we haven’t guessed at any.

The list at a glance

Powertrains and sizes come from each brand’s Korean spec pages and price lists. Inch figures are our own conversions.

Model	Korean	Type and length	Powertrains in Korea
Hyundai Grandeur	그랜저	Sedan	2.5 gas, 3.5 gas, 3.5 LPG, 1.6 turbo hybrid
Hyundai Casper	캐스퍼	Small car, 3,595 mm	1.0 gas, 1.0 turbo
Kia Ray / Ray EV	레이	Light car, 3,595 mm	1.0 gas, electric (35.2 kWh)
Kia K8	K8	Sedan, 5,050 mm	2.5 gas, 3.5 gas, 3.5 LPG, 1.6 turbo hybrid
Kia K9	K9	Sedan, 5,140 mm	3.8 gas, 3.3 turbo gas

Two patterns stand out. Three of the five are sedans, and the other two are small cars sized for Korea’s light-car class. The Grandeur and the K8 are also both offered with an LPG engine in Korea.

Hyundai Grandeur

The Grandeur (그랜저) is sold in Korea as 더 뉴 그랜저 (The New Grandeur), with a separate hybrid model. Hyundai’s Korean price lists show 2.5 and 3.5 gas engines, a 3.5 LPG engine and a 1.6 turbo hybrid.

Hyundai’s global site says the Azera is badged as the Grandeur in some markets, including Korea. We sort out the two names in what happened to the Hyundai Azera.

Hyundai Casper

The Casper (캐스퍼) is a small car, 3,595 mm (141.5 in) long, sold through Hyundai’s separate Casper online store. Its Korean spec page for the 2027 model lists a 1.0 gas engine with 76 PS and a 1.0 turbo with 100 PS, and there’s also a van version.

By its listed size and engine, the gas Casper fits within the same light-car limits as the Kia Ray. Our Ray guide below sets out those limits.

Don’t confuse it with the Casper Electric. That’s a longer car with its own spec page, and it’s on Hyundai’s UK and Australian lineups as the Inster. Our Inster vs Casper Electric comparison shows how the versions differ by market.

Kia Ray and Ray EV

The Ray (레이) is a tall, boxy car that Kia lists in Korea’s light-car class. It’s 3,595 mm (141.5 in) long and 1,700 mm (66.9 in) high. It comes with a 1.0 gas engine or as the Ray EV with a 35.2 kWh battery, in passenger and van versions.

Our Kia Ray guide covers the light-car rules, the EV’s official range and how the Ray compares with the Morning and Casper.

Kia K8

The K8 is a large sedan, 5,050 mm (198.8 in) long on a 2,895 mm wheelbase. Kia’s Korean spec page for the 2027 K8 lists four powertrains:

2.5 gas: 198 PS, 8-speed automatic
3.5 gas: 300 PS, 8-speed automatic, with an AWD version
3.5 LPG: 240 PS, 8-speed automatic
1.6 turbo hybrid: 47.7 kW electric motor, 6-speed automatic

Kia K9

The K9 is the longest car on this list, at 5,140 mm (202.4 in), and it’s 1,915 mm wide on a 3,105 mm wheelbase. Kia’s spec page for the 2026 K9 lists two gas engines, a 3.8 with 315 PS and a 3.3 turbo with 370 PS, and no hybrid, LPG or electric version.

Close calls: models that appear in at least one market

These examples are on the Korean lineup and missing from one or two of the three markets, but listed in at least one:

Hyundai Staria: listed in Australia, including people mover and Load van versions. Not on the US lineup, and marked “Coming soon” on the UK page.
Kia Tasman: the pickup is listed in Australia in three body styles, but not in the US or UK.
Hyundai Nexo: the hydrogen SUV is listed in the UK, but not in the US or Australia.
Kia K5: listed in the US, but not in the UK or Australia.

Without Australia in the check, the Staria and the Tasman would both have made the main list.

Searching for these cars in Korean

Korean reviews, forums and used-car listings use the Korean names in the table above. For the Grandeur, search 그랜저, not Azera. For the Casper, check whether a listing says 캐스퍼 or 캐스퍼 일렉트릭, since those are different cars.

Korean listings often add a prefix such as 더 뉴 (The New) or 디 올 뉴 (The All-New). These usually mark a facelift or a new generation, not a different model. Drop the prefix and search the model name.

The name lookup table also has a search box. Type a Korean name in English or Hangul, or a US or UK name, and it finds the matching row.

Where to check the current lineups

Lineups change with every model year, so check the official pages before relying on this list:

Korea: Hyundai catalog and price lists, the Hyundai Casper online store and Kia catalog and price lists (all in Korean)
US: Hyundai USA vehicles and Kia US vehicles
UK: Hyundai UK models and Kia UK new cars
Australia: Hyundai Australia cars and Kia Australia (the full range is under the Vehicle menu)

Last checked: October 14, 2026, for the lineups and the Casper, K8 and K9 spec pages. Grandeur powertrains and the Azera note are from Hyundai Korea’s price lists and Hyundai’s global site (checked October 11, 2026). Ray figures and the light-car limits are from Kia Korea’s Ray and Ray EV spec pages and the Motor Vehicle Management Act enforcement rules (checked October 9, 2026). Sources: Hyundai Korea and Kia Korea catalog and price list pages, Hyundai Casper online store specification page, Kia Korea K8 and K9 specification pages, and the Hyundai and Kia vehicle lineup pages for the US, UK and Australia.

October 14, 2026

EV Charging in Korea: Public vs Private Rates and How to Pay

Korea’s government EV portal lists more than 100 charging operators, from government agencies to private companies. Each sets its own price, and some charge more if you don’t hold their membership card. Many charger screens are also in Korean.

This guide uses the Korean government’s official rate table to show what a kilowatt-hour costs, how to pay without a membership card, and the parking rules that can lead to a fine at a charger.

The short answer

Public rate: government-run chargers charge KRW 295 to 393.1 per kWh, depending on charger speed. Members and non-members pay the same.
Private rates vary: some private operators charge non-members far more than members. Others charge the same.
No membership card: the government’s fast chargers let you pay on the spot with a Korean card that has a postpaid transit function. The official guide doesn’t mention foreign cards.
Don’t overstay: leaving a car in a fast-charging space for more than one hour can bring a KRW 100,000 fine.

Public vs private charging rates

The Zero Emission Vehicle Portal (무공해차 통합누리집, ev.or.kr) is the government’s EV site. Its charging rate page lists each operator’s price per kWh for five charger speed tiers.

The government’s own chargers are listed under the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment (기후에너지환경부). When we checked on October 13, 2026, these were its rates, last updated July 31, 2026.

Charger tier (maximum output)	Public rate per kWh
Slow, under 30 kW	KRW 295
Medium, 30 to 49 kW	KRW 307.2
Fast, 50 to 99 kW	KRW 325.6
Fast, 100 to 199 kW	KRW 348.4
Ultra-fast, 200 kW and above	KRW 393.1

The non-member column showed the same five numbers. Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO, 한국전력공사) listed the same member rates for its chargers.

Private operators set their own prices. The portal listed 102 operators. Here are a few examples at the 50 to 99 kW tier, showing how far member and non-member prices can split.

Operator (as listed)	Member price per kWh	Non-member price per kWh	Last updated
Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment (public)	KRW 325.6	KRW 325.6	July 31, 2026
NICE Infra (NICE인프라)	KRW 320	KRW 320	August 3, 2026
LG U+ Volt Up (LG유플러스 볼트업)	KRW 350	KRW 450	July 1, 2026
GS차지비	KRW 325	KRW 470	September 22, 2026

These are examples, not a ranking. At these four, the highest non-member price is about 44% above the public rate (470 ÷ 325.6, our arithmetic).

The portal itself warns that its prices are a guide. On-site prices, promotions, roaming surcharges and membership terms can change what you actually pay. Check the price on the charger screen before you start.

What that means for one charge

Adding 30 kWh at a public 50 to 99 kW charger costs about KRW 9,770. The same 30 kWh at KRW 470 costs KRW 14,100. Both figures are our own multiplication. They leave out charging losses and any fees the charger adds.

The estimator below does the same math with your battery and your price.

EV charging cost estimator

Enter your battery size and how far you want to charge. Pick a public rate, or type the price shown on the charger screen.

Usable battery capacity (kWh)

Current charge (%)

Target charge (%)

Price per kWh

Public rates from the Zero Emission Vehicle Portal (ev.or.kr) charging rate table, government chargers, updated July 31, 2026. Last checked October 13, 2026. Charging losses and any extra fees aren’t included, so treat the result as an estimate.

Paying without a membership card

The portal lists member and non-member prices, and it also explains roaming. Roaming means using one operator’s membership card at a partner operator’s charger, and you pay the price of whoever runs that charger.

Getting the government’s own membership card starts with an ev.or.kr account. When we opened the site, its identity checks used a Korean mobile phone or a Korean digital certificate. Without either one, getting the card on a short visit may not be practical. The portal’s call center is 1661-0970, weekdays 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The non-member button. The portal’s FAQ says its government-run fast chargers work without a card. You press the non-member (비회원) button on the screen, then pay with a card before charging.

The FAQ lists the cards it accepts as those with a postpaid transit function (후불교통), meaning the card also works as a pay-later transit card. They come from Shinhan, BC, KB Kookmin, Hyundai Card, Samsung, Lotte, IBK and Citi. All are Korean card issuers. The FAQ doesn’t say whether foreign-issued cards work, and we couldn’t confirm it.

Private chargers each have their own payment screens, and we haven’t checked them. If you’re renting an EV, ask the rental company how it expects you to pay for charging before you leave the counter. Our guide to what Korean law and rental companies each require when you rent covers the rest of the pick-up process.

Fast and slow chargers, and which plug fits

Korean law uses 40 kW as the line between fast and slow. A notice from the industry ministry (산업통상부) defines the two charger types that count under the Eco-Friendly Vehicle Act.

Fast charging facilities: 40 kW or more, with a Combo 1 or Combo 2 connector under the Korean standard KS R IEC 62196-3.
Slow charging facilities: under 40 kW, with a Type 1 connector under KS R IEC 62196-2, or an outlet that bills for the electricity used.

The portal’s rate tiers split at different points, so don’t mix the two. The 40 kW line is for the legal rules below, and the tiers are for prices. A charger in the 30 to 49 kW price tier can fall on either side of the 40 kW line, so check its rated output on the unit or screen.

The portal’s FAQ also notes that fast-charging methods differ by car model. Check which connector your car uses before you pull in. If you rented the car, the rental company can tell you.

Most government-run fast chargers are open 24 hours, the FAQ says. Some at large discount stores can only be used during store hours.

Charging-space rules and fines

The Eco-Friendly Vehicle Act (친환경자동차법) protects charging spaces. Article 11-2 says only EVs and plug-in hybrids may park in a charging space, and it bans blocking a charger. The enforcement decree spells out what counts as blocking, and a ministry notice sets the time limits.

Violation	Fine
Parking a car that isn’t an EV or plug-in hybrid in a charging space	KRW 100,000
An EV or plug-in hybrid still parked at a fast charger after 1 hour	KRW 100,000
At a slow charger, an EV still parked after 14 hours, or a plug-in hybrid after 7 hours (for plug-in hybrids, midnight to 6 a.m. isn’t counted)	KRW 100,000
Blocking a charger or its access with objects or a parked car, or using it for anything but charging	KRW 100,000
Damaging or erasing the space’s markings, or deliberately damaging the charger	KRW 200,000

The amounts come from the annex to the enforcement decree. It also lets the local government cut or raise a fine by up to half, within the law’s caps of KRW 200,000 for parking and KRW 1 million for obstruction.

The slow-charger time limit has an exception. It doesn’t apply to chargers at detached houses, row houses, multi-household houses or apartment complexes with fewer than 100 units.

These fines are issued by the city, county or district office. Provincial governments are required to mark charging spaces with lines and lettering. If you’re renting, your contract’s section on fines is worth reading. If you think a fine is wrong, the office named on the notice is the one to contact.

One more cost to know about: EVs get a discount on expressway tolls through 2027, set at 30% for 2026 and 20% for 2027. Our guide to Korea’s highway tolls and Hi-Pass explains how it applies.

Before you charge

Check the price on the charger screen. Operators set their own rates, and non-member prices can be higher.
If you don’t have a membership card, government-run fast chargers have a non-member option. Bring a Korean card with a postpaid transit function if you can.
Know your car’s connector before you pull into a charging space.
Move the car once charging ends. At a fast charger, the limit is one hour.

Last checked: October 13, 2026. Sources: EV charging rate information and FAQ (Zero Emission Vehicle Portal, in Korean); Eco-Friendly Vehicle Act, Articles 11-2 and 16 and its Enforcement Decree, Articles 18-8 and 21 and Annex; Regulation on the Requirements for Eco-Friendly Vehicles, Articles 6 and 7 (산업통상부 Notice No. 2026-108) (Korean Law Information Center, in Korean).

October 13, 2026

Speed Cameras in Korea: Fines, Speed Limits and Who Gets the Ticket

A speed camera proves a car was speeding. It doesn’t prove who was driving. Korean law handles that with a separate fine for camera cases, sent to whoever is responsible for the car. So after a camera flash, the question is not only how much, but who the bill goes to.

This guide covers Korea’s default speed limits, the two kinds of speeding penalty, what each one costs, and how it works when the car was a rental.

The short answer

Speed limits: 50 km/h by default in residential, commercial and industrial areas, and up to 100 km/h on most expressways, with 120 km/h on some designated sections. Posted signs can set a different limit.
Camera tickets: when the driver isn’t identified, the fine goes to the person responsible for the car, and the law counts a renter as that person.
Cost: for a passenger car, KRW 40,000 to 130,000 depending on how far over the limit you were. School zones and senior or disability protection zones cost more between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Rental cars: the government’s model rental contract makes the renter responsible for traffic fines from the rental period, even after the car is returned.

Speed limits in Korea

Default limits are set in Article 19 of the Enforcement Rule of the Road Traffic Act (도로교통법 시행규칙). They apply unless a sign says otherwise.

Road	Maximum	Minimum
Ordinary roads in residential, commercial and industrial areas	50 km/h (60 km/h on sections the provincial police designate)	None set
Other ordinary roads	60 km/h (80 km/h with two or more lanes each way)	None set
Motor-vehicle-only roads (자동차전용도로)	90 km/h	30 km/h
Expressways, one lane each way	80 km/h	50 km/h
Expressways, two or more lanes each way	100 km/h (80 km/h for trucks over 1.5 metric tons of load capacity, special vehicles, hazardous-materials carriers and construction machinery)	50 km/h
Expressway sections designated by the National Police Agency	Up to 120 km/h (up to 90 km/h for the same vehicle types)	50 km/h

In miles, 30 km/h is about 19 mph, 50 km/h about 31 mph, 100 km/h about 62 mph and 120 km/h about 75 mph (our conversions).

Bad weather lowers the limit. The same article cuts the maximum by 20% on roads wet from rain or with snow under 20 mm. It cuts it by 50% when heavy rain, snow or fog drops visibility to 100 meters or less, when the road is icy, or when snow is 20 mm or deeper. Where a variable speed limit sign is posted, its limit applies instead.

School zones are slower. Article 12 of the Road Traffic Act lets local governments limit traffic near schools, kindergartens and similar facilities to 30 km/h or less. Follow the posted number rather than assuming one.

Who a camera ticket goes to

The police and local governments may install unmanned enforcement equipment under Article 4-2 of the Road Traffic Act. What that equipment records is the car.

Article 160(3) covers that gap. When speeding is shown by a photo, video or other recorded image, and either the driver can’t be identified or a driver’s fine can’t be issued, an administrative fine (과태료) of up to KRW 200,000 can go to the vehicle’s “employer and others” (고용주등).

Article 56(1) defines that group widely. It covers a driver’s employer and anyone who manages or uses the vehicle. It also names people who rent a business vehicle under the Passenger Transport Service Act, which covers car rental businesses. Leased cars are covered too.

So a camera case starts with the administrative fine for the person responsible. The other route is a driver’s fine (범칙금), issued to an identified driver through a notice. That is a separate process, not a cheaper option you pick from the table below.

Under Article 160(4), the administrative fine is not imposed if the driver has already received a driver’s fine. It is also not imposed if the real driver is identified when you submit your opinion or an objection to the notice. And it is not imposed on a rental company when it is clear the company only rented the car out.

How much a speeding fine costs

The amounts below are for the “passenger car” class (승용자동차등). The driver’s-fine table defines it as passenger cars and trucks of 4 metric tons or less, and the camera-fine tables use the same class name. Vans and buses (승합자동차), larger trucks and motorcycles have their own amounts.

Over the limit by	Camera fine to the person responsible (과태료)	Driver’s fine (범칙금)	Camera fine in a protection zone, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
20 km/h or less	KRW 40,000	KRW 30,000	KRW 70,000
Over 20, up to 40 km/h	KRW 70,000	KRW 60,000	KRW 100,000
Over 40, up to 60 km/h	KRW 100,000	KRW 90,000	KRW 130,000
Over 60 km/h	KRW 130,000	KRW 120,000	KRW 160,000

The camera fine comes from Annex 6 of the Enforcement Decree of the Road Traffic Act, the driver’s fine from Annex 8. The protection zone column comes from Annex 7, which covers school zones and senior or disability protection zones. Article 88(4) of the decree applies it only from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

This guide covers the money only. The driver’s route can bring other consequences for a license record, and we haven’t covered those here.

Speeding fine calculator

Passenger cars and trucks of 4 metric tons or less only. Enter the posted limit and the speed the camera recorded.

Posted speed limit (km/h)

Recorded speed (km/h)

Road conditions

School, senior or disability protection zone?

Amounts from Annexes 6, 7 and 8 of the Enforcement Decree of the Road Traffic Act; weather rule from Article 19 of the Enforcement Rule. Last checked October 12, 2026. Where a variable speed limit sign is posted, its number is the limit. This is an estimate, not a legal decision.

Paying early and paying late

The administrative fine has its own rules under the Act on the Regulation of Violations of Public Order (질서위반행위규제법). Article 18 lets the agency reduce the fine if you pay voluntarily before the deadline for submitting your opinion, which the advance notice sets. The enforcement decree caps that reduction at 20%.

Paying the reduced amount closes the case. Under Article 88(6) of the Road Traffic Act decree, the fine is otherwise due within 60 days of receiving the payment notice. Article 88(7) warns that unpaid fines can collect a late-payment surcharge.

If you were driving a rental car

Two sets of rules point the same way. Under the Road Traffic Act, a renter counts as a person responsible for the car, and the rental company is excluded when it only rented the car out.

The contract side says the same. Article 16(2) of the Korea Fair Trade Commission’s model rental contract makes the renter responsible for traffic fines, parking fines and parking fees from the rental period, even after the car goes back. Your own company’s contract is what applies, so read its section on fines.

Payment can also run through your card. When we checked Lotte Rent-a-Car’s English rental page on October 9, 2026, it said charges such as fuel, tolls and fines are billed to your registered card after a key-drop return. None of these rules explain how a fine reaches you once you’ve left Korea, so ask the company before you drive off. For the rest of the counter process, see our guide to what Korean law and rental companies each require when you rent.

Fines aren’t the only charge that can reach you after the trip. Expressway tolls left unpaid at the exit can too, and our guide to Korea’s highway tolls and unpaid tolls shows how to check and pay them.

Checking and paying a fine

The Korean National Police Agency runs Traffic Civil Affairs 24 (교통민원24, also known as eFine) at efine.go.kr. Its menus include unpaid administrative fines (미납과태료) and unpaid driver’s fines (미납범칙금).

When we opened it on October 12, 2026, the site was in Korean only, with no language menu. Its login options are Korean identity checks: simple authentication, financial or joint certificates, and a mobile ID. The site doesn’t say whether visitors without these can log in.

The payment notice names the agency that issued the fine. If you think a fine is wrong, or you need to show someone else was driving, contact that agency or the police station named on the notice. A rental company can tell you what it charges under your contract, but it can’t decide the legal question.

Before you drive

Treat the posted sign as the limit, especially on city streets where the default is only 50 km/h.
Slow down in school zones and senior or disability protection zones, where daytime fines are higher.
Lower your speed in rain, snow or fog. The legal limit drops by 20% or 50% in those conditions.
If you rent, ask at pick-up how the company handles fines that arrive after you have left Korea, and keep your rental contract.

Last checked: October 12, 2026. Sources: Road Traffic Act, Articles 4-2, 12, 56 and 160, Enforcement Decree of the Road Traffic Act, Article 88 and Annexes 6, 7 and 8, Enforcement Rule of the Road Traffic Act, Article 19, Act on the Regulation of Violations of Public Order, Article 18 and its Enforcement Decree, Article 5 (Korean Law Information Center, in Korean); Standard Terms for Car Rental No. 10064 (Korea Fair Trade Commission, in Korean); Lotte Rent-a-Car rental information; Traffic Civil Affairs 24 (Korean National Police Agency, in Korean).

October 12, 2026

What Happened to the Hyundai Azera? It’s Still Sold in Korea as the Grandeur

If you remember the Hyundai Azera from US showrooms, you may have assumed it was discontinued. It isn’t gone. Hyundai still lists it in its global lineup, and in Korea the same car sells as the Grandeur (그랜저).

This guide sorts out the two names using Hyundai’s own websites: its global vehicle history, its global model pages, its Korean price lists, and its current US and UK lineups.

The short answer

Same car, two names. Hyundai’s global site says the Azera is badged as the Grandeur in some markets, including Korea.
Still current. Hyundai’s global lineup lists the Azera among its sedans and the Azera Hybrid among its hybrids.
Not in the US or UK. Neither name appears on Hyundai’s US or UK model pages as of October 11, 2026.
In Korea, it’s the Grandeur. Hyundai Korea sells it with gasoline, LPG and hybrid powertrains.

One model line since 1986

Hyundai’s global vehicle history page lists the car as AZERA, 1986 onward, and notes it is also known as the Grandeur in selected countries. The Korean-language version of the page calls it 그랜저, with the same 1986 start date.

So Hyundai treats the Grandeur and the Azera as one continuous model line. Its history page picks out a few milestones:

Third generation: Hyundai calls it the first full-size sedan to be sold in the US market.
Fifth generation (2011): combined Hyundai’s Fluidic Sculpture design with a “Grand Glide” concept.
Seventh generation: the latest, which Hyundai says further elevates the car’s standing as a flagship sedan.

The page doesn’t give a year for every generation.

Where the Azera name went

The name is missing from the US, not from Hyundai. On October 11, 2026, Hyundai’s US vehicle page didn’t list the Azera or the Grandeur, and neither did Hyundai’s UK model page.

Hyundai’s global site still presents the current generation as “the all-new AZERA.” We didn’t find a market-by-market list on the Hyundai pages we checked, so we can’t say which countries outside Korea sell it today. If you’re checking a particular country, that country’s own Hyundai website is the place to look.

None of those pages explains why Hyundai uses two names, and we haven’t guessed at a reason.

The Grandeur in Korea today

Hyundai Korea currently sells it as 더 뉴 그랜저 (The New Grandeur). In Korean model names, “The New” usually marks a facelift. The hybrid has its own model page, 더 뉴 그랜저 Hybrid.

Here is how Hyundai’s Korean price lists (dated October 1, 2026, private-use versions) compare with its global Azera pages:

Powertrain	Korea (Grandeur price list)	Global (Azera pages)
2.5 gasoline	Smartstream 2.5 gasoline, 8-speed automatic	Smartstream G2.5 GDi
3.5 gasoline	Smartstream 3.5 gasoline, listed as an option	Smartstream G3.5 GDi
3.5 LPG	Smartstream LPG 3.5 (LPi), 8-speed automatic	Not shown
Hybrid	Smartstream 1.6 turbo hybrid, 47.7 kW motor, 6-speed automatic	Smartstream G1.6 T-GDi HEV

“Not shown” means the global pages don’t mention an LPG version. It doesn’t rule one out in other markets. We’ve left prices out, because they change with each price list and trim.

Why the Korean name matters if you’re in Korea

Hyundai Korea’s site names the car 그랜저, so that’s the name to search with in Korean, not “Azera.”

The marketing prefix can change between updates, too. You may see 디 올 뉴 그랜저 (The All-New Grandeur) for a new generation and 더 뉴 그랜저 for a facelift, but the model is the same. Our lookup table of Hyundai and Kia model names in Korea and abroad covers the rest of the lineup the same way.

When comparing a Korean Grandeur with an Azera you know from elsewhere, check that specific car’s engine and equipment rather than relying on the badge.

Last checked: October 11, 2026. Sources: Hyundai Worldwide vehicle history: AZERA; Hyundai Worldwide: the all-new AZERA and its performance and hybrid pages; Hyundai Korea price lists for The New Grandeur and The New Grandeur Hybrid (in Korean); Hyundai USA vehicles; Hyundai UK models.

October 11, 2026