How to Find EV Charging Stations in Jeju: Naver Map & KakaoMap Guide
If you're exploring Jeju by EV, sooner or later you'll need to find a charger — and that's when Google Maps can start to let you down. I found this out the hard way the first time I tried navigating to a charger — the directions kept sending me in circles near a station that was clearly shown on the map but somehow unreachable by the route it gave me.
Google Maps works fine for browsing places and reading reviews, but navigation can be unreliable in Korea. Local apps like Naver Map and KakaoMap are generally more useful in Korea when you need turn-by-turn directions or want to check EV charging stations and their current status. The catch is that some place names and charger information still appear in Korean, so switching the interface to English doesn't always make searching completely straightforward. In this guide, I'll walk you through exactly what buttons to tap and what to look for, based on how I actually used the English version of both apps to find a charger myself.
Why Naver Map and KakaoMap Are Better for EV Charging in Jeju
Naver Map and KakaoMap make it easier to check charger availability and charging speed before you drive to a station. For EV charging in Korea, I find these local apps more useful than Google Maps.
Finding EV Chargers on Naver Map (English Interface)
Step 1: Switch the App to English
- Tap the profile icon in the top-right corner of the home screen.
- Tap the gear-shaped settings icon in the top-right corner.
- Scroll to "App & Screen" and tap 언어/Language, then select English.
Step 2: Search for a Charging Station
- Select the Navigation tab in the bottom menu. This changes the shortcut row just below the search bar.
- Scroll that shortcut row sideways until "EV charging station" appears, then tap it.
Tap any charger icon that appears on the map to open its detail screen.
Step 3: Reading the Station Details
The detail screen is split into three tabs: Home, Charging status, and Nearby. Charger speed shows in English ("Fast 200kW"), but the connector type may still appear in Korean — DC콤보, which means DC Combo. If you're driving a rental, it's worth confirming with the rental company which connector your specific car uses before you rely on this at a station.
Real-time availability shows clearly in English too: "2 charger(s) Available."
Tap the Charging status tab to see availability broken down by individual charger number, along with when each one was last used.
Finding EV Chargers on KakaoMap (English Interface)
Step 1: Switch the App to English
- Tap More (the three-dot icon) in the bottom navigation bar.
- Tap the gear-shaped settings icon top-right.
- Under "App Settings," tap Language and select English.
Step 2: Search for a Charging Station
Once the app is in English, several shortcut buttons appear in a row just below the search bar. Swipe that row to the left until "EV Charging Station" appears — no typing required.
Results show up on the map labeled "Slow" or "Fast" with a number showing available chargers. Tap "View List" at the bottom to switch to a list view, with filters for Sort, Open seating, and DC.
Step 3: Reading the Station Details
The detail screen splits into four tabs: Home, Charging Status, Ranking, and 정보 (the last one stays in Korean). "Real-time charging status" shows in English, but individual charger labels — like 급속 100KW (Fast 100kW) or 충전 가능 (Available) — appear in Korean.
You don't need to understand every Korean label to use it. Look for "충전 가능" for an available charger; the app also uses color to help distinguish charging status.
EV Charging Payment: What to Do If Your Foreign Card Doesn't Work
The most reliable way to pay is with the charging card your rental company provides — many Jeju rental agencies issue a prepaid or postpaid card linked to the Ministry of Environment network and major private operators. Tap it at the charger and you're set; the cost gets settled with your rental bill.
Look for chargers marked with the green Ministry of Environment icon, shown below — these accept card payment without requiring separate membership sign-up, which makes them a good first stop.
Renting an EV? Don't Forget Your IDP
Renting an EV also means renting a car, so don't forget your physical International Driving Permit (IDP) — you'll need it along with your passport and driver's license when you pick up the vehicle. I cover the full rental paperwork process in the guide linked below.
The stress of an EV road trip almost always comes down to one moment: the battery's low and you can't find a charger. Once you know how to switch Naver Map or KakaoMap to English and search properly, that stress mostly disappears. Screenshot this guide before your next EV rental in Jeju.
App menus and labels can change with future updates — if a step in this guide looks slightly different on your screen, the overall path should still be close.
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As a local resident of Jeju, I explore the island in person and share practical tips, honest experiences, and photos from my travels.
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