Wiring +82 SMS verification into your Korean release pipeline

Which endpoints does a +82 activation go through?

Start in the SMS verification API, because that is where most Korean test plans end up anyway. Every call goes to https://otproute.com/api/v1 with a Bearer key beginning or_live_ from the Developer console.

• GET /api/v1/countries returns kr for South Korea; GET /api/v1/services gives the service ids.
• GET /api/v1/prices?country=kr&service=<id> reports the current price and whether the route is open.
• POST /api/v1/activations with {"service": "kakaotalk", "country": "kr"} reserves a +82 number and returns an activation id.
• GET /api/v1/activations/{id} shows the status and, once received, the code.
• POST /api/v1/activations/{id}/cancel releases a number you no longer need.
• GET /api/v1/balance lets a suite fail early when the wallet is low.

The account limit is 300 requests per minute, so polling every few seconds across parallel jobs is comfortable. The integration guide shows a full request cycle.

How do signed webhooks fit a Korean test run?

Polling is fine for a single developer; parallel CI jobs are cleaner with push delivery. Register up to five endpoints and subscribe to activation.sms_received, activation.expired and activation.cancelled.

Every request includes X-OTPRoute-Signature: t=<unix>,v1=<hex>. Take the raw body exactly as received, build the string <t>.<raw body>, compute HMAC-SHA256 with the endpoint secret and compare it to v1 using a constant-time check. Reject anything with an old timestamp to block replays, and key your handler on the activation id so a retried delivery does not resolve the same test twice. The HMAC article covers edge cases such as body re-serialisation.

What problem are Korean launch teams usually solving?

South Korea is a demanding market for mobile apps and games, and Korean users expect polished localisation. Teams test here before a release, when adding Korean-language screens, or when a support queue reports that verification texts are not reaching Korean users. Without a local SIM, it is slow to receive South Korea SMS OTP messages and reproduce those reports. A one-time +82 number from an OTP routing service lets an engineer replay the exact flow from any office, and the code lands in the same tooling as every other market.

How are Korean phone numbers formatted and stored?

Korean mobiles are written domestically as 010 followed by eight digits. The leading 0 is a trunk prefix, so the international form drops it: +82 10 and then the remaining eight digits. Forms that accept both styles should normalise to E.164 on the way in; storing 010… and +8210… side by side creates duplicate users and broken lookups.

Messages from Korean senders are normally written in Hangul, which is sent as Unicode SMS, while global apps follow the account's language setting. Parse codes by matching the digit group, not by expecting an English template. Also be aware that many domestic Korean services tie sign-up to a real-name identity check through the subscriber's mobile carrier. That check is designed for personal subscriptions, a one-time number will not satisfy it, and you should not try to work around it.

Which apps are open on South Korean routes right now?

The kr snapshot shows more than 500 services. Common picks for a South Korea verification number include KakaoTalk, LINE, WhatsApp, Telegram, Google (Gmail & YouTube), Instagram, TikTok, Discord, Netflix, Microsoft & Outlook, Amazon, Uber, ChatGPT (OpenAI) and Claude.

Coverage changes during the day, so always confirm with the prices endpoint before an order. Non-developers can do the same from the dashboard: create an account, open the OTP Gateway, choose the service and South Korea, check the displayed price, confirm, and copy the +82 number into the app. The code shows up on screen as soon as it arrives.

What if a +82 activation stays empty?

The activation window is 20 minutes, and you are charged only if a code arrives. When nothing comes:

• Give the window its full time before treating the order as failed.
• Cancel and try later, or choose another route for that service when one is listed.
• Check whether the app rejects virtual lines or requires carrier identity checks; if so, repeating the order will not change the outcome.
• Do not retry in a tight loop, which tends to trigger sender-side throttling.

Unanswered or cancelled orders are refunded automatically. Respect each app's terms, and remember that OTP Route's Acceptable Use Policy applies to every activation.

Is there a long-term Korean number, and how does billing work?

There is no self-serve long-term +82 line. Dedicated Numbers are offered only in the United States and Canada, from $1.95/month, for accounts that must keep receiving texts. For other needs in Korea, email [email protected]; availability depends on local regulation and is not assured.

The OTP Gateway is paid from a prepaid USD wallet with no plan or monthly fee. Top up by card or USDT/USDC and receive a PDF invoice per top-up. On request, a development account can switch to sandbox so your pipeline runs against simulated numbers and codes. See pricing for live rates.

Frequently asked questions

Can I test my app's Korean phone verification without a Korean SIM card?

Yes. Order a +82 number through the OTP Gateway, enter it in your app, and collect the code through the API, a webhook or the dashboard.

Do I include the leading 0 when entering a Korean number internationally?

No. Drop the trunk prefix, so a 010 mobile becomes +82 10 plus eight digits.

What does a +82 number for testing cost?

From $0.20 per code, with the exact price depending on the service. The live figure comes from the prices endpoint and the dashboard.

Will a one-time number pass Korean real-name verification?

No. Carrier-based identity checks are tied to personal subscriptions, so use OTP Route only for flows that accept ordinary SMS codes.

Am I charged if KakaoTalk or another app never sends the code?

No. If nothing arrives within 20 minutes, or you cancel, the payment is returned to your wallet.

Can I keep a South Korean number for repeat logins?

Not in self-serve. Each one-time number receives a single code, and long-term lines are limited to the US and Canada.

What country code does the API expect for South Korea?

The country id is kr, used in the prices query and in the activation body.

Service names are trademarks of their respective owners. OTP Route is not affiliated with them. Use numbers lawfully, follow each service's terms and our Acceptable Use Policy.