iPhones For Foreigners in Korea
There’s an article up at the Joognang Daily that describes the difficulties foreigners have in getting an iPhone in Korea. The release of the device here has highlighted KT’s abhorrent policies more than any other product. In most cases, foreigners I know with cell phones registered in their name (myself included) opt for SK or LG. Since the big reform a few years back, they have been sensible about their attitude toward foreigners. KT has not. And in this case, KT is the only choice for an iPhone. This article shows the problem well, which is really summed up in the last line:
[A KT official] emphasized, however, that the regulations regarding foreign customers are not particularly strict compared to other countries.
That’s probably true when comparing with countries in which foreigners can’t get cell phones at all. But, come on. How can you tell someone your regulations “aren’t particularly strict” while denying them service?
In my case, at least, it seems I qualify under KT’s current policy since I have an F-5 visa, something I was confident of but hadn’t actually inquired about yet. So, barring no ridiculous issues, I’ll try to pick one up later this week. I really don’t want to give my money to a backwards company like KT until they change their policies, but my desire for an iPhone trumps my moral principles this time.