[Korea] Phone Subsidy Penalty
Phone Subsidy Penalty — runs in your browser. Inputs are not stored.
Handset subsidy penalty (Approx. 24-month contract)
Enter values, then press Calculate.
Full amount if 6 months or less; after that, remaining months/24. From month 19, only a same-carrier device-change grace note is shown. May differ from the carrier notice.
How to use
- Enter the notified handset subsidy (KRW) received at activation. This is the handset discount.
- Enter months used so far (0–24).
- Press Calculate to see estimated clawback and remaining contract months.
- At 6 months or less it treats the full amount as repayable; after that it is remaining months / 24 pro rata.
- If the carrier app or customer centre quotes an amount, that figure takes priority.
Key concepts: notified subsidy clawback
A phone notified handset subsidy (Korea) lowers the device price in exchange for a typical 24-month contract. Cancelling, porting, or changing devices under the terms can trigger a discount clawback (penalty). This tool assumes a 24-month term: full amount at 6 months or less, then remaining months ÷ 24 × subsidy.
Policies such as a device-change grace after month 19 with the same carrier vary by time and carrier. The screen may show a note without forcing the amount to 0. Penalty for the optional 25% plan-discount contract is the optional-contract penalty calculator.
Example
Subsidy 400,000 KRW, 8 months used: 16 months remain. Past 6 months, 400,000 × 16/24 ≈ 267,000 KRW estimated clawback. At 3 months used, the full 400,000 KRW. At 24 months used, remaining 0 so 0 KRW.
Related: Optional-contract penalty · Percent calculator
Frequently asked questions
When is the notified-subsidy penalty the full amount?
In this approximation, 6 months used or less is treated as full repayment. Carrier terms can differ.
What if it is not a 24-month contract?
This version calculates 24 months only. For a 12-month term, follow the notice.
Is it calculated together with the optional plan-discount contract?
No. Only the notified subsidy is covered. For plan-discount penalties, use the optional-contract page.
Does MVNO number porting work the same?
A penalty often still applies. The exact amount requires a lookup with the current carrier.
Is there no penalty after 19 months?
There have been notices of conditions such as same-carrier device-change grace. This calculator does not settle the policy.
Is the subsidy amount saved?
No. Calculation stays in the browser.
Last reviewed: 2026-09-04