Can foreigners use Korean libraries?

Yes, absolutely. Public libraries in Korea are open to everyone, including foreign residents, and they are one of the best free resources around. To get a library card, just bring your Alien Registration Card (ARC) to the front desk of your local district or city library, and some also accept a passport plus proof of address. Many libraries now let you register online or through their app once you have an account, and membership is free.

For non-Korean speakers, the bigger libraries are surprisingly well stocked. The National Library of Korea and major spots like Seoul's Namsan Library or the Starfield Library have foreign-language sections with English books, magazines, and newspapers, and many district and university libraries carry English collections too. Beyond borrowing books, you can use free reading rooms (열람실), Wi-Fi, computers and printing, and quiet study space, which a lot of people rely on for studying or remote work. Some libraries also run free Korean language classes and cultural programs for foreign residents, so it is worth asking at the desk or checking the library's website. The Seoul Metropolitan Library near City Hall offers e-books and audiobooks you can access from home with your card. If your Korean is limited, staff at the larger central libraries can usually help in English, and the self-checkout machines often have an English menu.