UPDATE: Lots of information posted in the comments section below….

It’s As If Foreigners Aren’t Human in the Korean iPhone World…….

Question: Can foreigners buy the iPhone in Korea?

Answer: Yes, for some of us.

I know the hot topic for us is whether or not foreigners will be able to buy the iPhone in Korea. A lot of us already felt cheated by the fact that we couldn’t even apply to be one of the 1,000 lottery winners to purchase the iPhone this past weekend.

So, I’ve looked all over, and spoke with some reps at KT. This is what they told me:

The Foreigner Guideline

-If you are a foreigner, you need a visa.

-If you have an E-2 visa, you cannot get the iPhone in Korea.

-If you have an F-2 or an F-4 visa, you can get the iPhone in Korea.

Are You Serious?

So, basically, this means if you are a foreigner, you need to be married to a Korean or you need to be a 교포 gyopo. You may have to get creative with one of your Korean friends in order to get the iPhone in Korea.

Some of you may be shaking your head. This may seem unfair, or feel like downright discrimination, but these are the facts.  I’m assuming the reasoning behind this is that since this phone comes with a 2 year contract, they don’t want foreigner iPhone buyers to bail on KT halfway through their contracts.

I’m curious to see if KT will offer perhaps 1 year contracts with a higher purchase price for the iPhone, or maybe the option of just buying the iPhone for 800,000 won upfront.

I know, it sucks.