Current Time in KST
Korea Standard Time
About KST Korea Standard Time
The standard time in South Korea, observed year-round. South Korea does not currently observe daylight saving time. It shares the same offset as Japan Standard Time (JST).
UTC Offset: +09:00
KST at a glance
| Right now | 03:26 on Wednesday |
|---|---|
| UTC offset | UTC+09:00 (9 hours ahead of UTC) |
| Full name | Korea Standard Time |
| Countries | 2 |
| IANA zones | 3 |
What is KST?
KST is a time zone that is currently UTC+09:00 - that's 9 hours ahead of UTC. Its full name is Korea Standard Time. Right now the local time on KST is 03:26. Today 2 countries (including North Korea and South Korea) and 3 IANA database zones sit at this offset, which is why KST is a useful shorthand even though the exact local rules differ from place to place.
How to convert KST to UTC
For quick planning, use today's offset as a rule of thumb: 12:00 UTC = 21:00 local time, and 09:00 local time = 00:00 UTC. The live clock above is the safest reference when daylight saving or regional rules may apply.
Which countries use KST?
KST is used across North Korea and South Korea. Open a country to see all of its cities and their local time.
IANA time zones in KST
KST maps to the IANA database zones Asia/Pyongyang, Asia/Seoul and ROK. Each zone page shows its exact rules, including any daylight saving changes.
💡 Tip: Comparing times? KST is 9 hours ahead of UTC. Use the IANA links and country links on this page when you need the exact local rule for a real place, not just the offset.
KST - Frequently asked questions
What is KST?
KST is a time zone currently UTC+09:00 (9 hours ahead of UTC). Its full name is Korea Standard Time.
What is the UTC offset of KST?
KST is UTC+09:00 right now - 9 hours ahead of UTC.
Which countries are on KST?
KST is used in North Korea and South Korea.
What time is it in KST now?
The current time on KST is 03:26 on Wednesday. The clock above updates every second.
How Alarm.now explains KST
Abbreviation, offset, and IANA zones
KST is shown as a time-zone group for Korea Standard Time with offset +09:00. The page links the abbreviation to the IANA zones and countries that use it, so users and search engines can distinguish a short label from an exact time-zone rule set.
When to use a specific IANA page
Use this group page for an overview of the abbreviation and offset. Use a linked IANA time-zone page when you need exact daylight-saving rules for a calendar, app, or future-date comparison.