95 free-to-publish journals published in South Korea
95 peer-reviewed open access journals published in South Korea charge no article processing charge and no other author fees, according to the DOAJ. 61 of them are indexed in Scopus and ranked by SCImago (38 in Q1 or Q2); the rest are listed too, Scopus-ranked journals first. Data snapshot: October 2026.
Of the Scopus-ranked journals here, 62% are Q1 or Q2 (site-wide: 40%). Their median self-reported time from submission to publication is 12 weeks. The largest subject areas are Medicine, Social Sciences and Nursing. 99% accept manuscripts in English and 26% accept at least one other language.
All 95 journals
Sorted by best SCImago quartile, then SJR. Click a column header to sort by it; click a second column to add a tiebreak. The search box narrows the list. Time to publish is the journal’s own DOAJ figure (average weeks from submission to publication).
| # | Journal | Quartile | SJR | Publisher | Languages | Time to publish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Journal of Obesity & Metabolic Syndrome 2508-6235 · 2508-7576 | Q1 | 3.116 | Korean Society for the Study of Obesity | English | 19 wk |
| 2 | Journal of Stroke 2287-6391 · 2287-6405 | Q1 | 2.705 | Korean Stroke Society | English | 12 wk |
| 3 | Journal of Lipid and Atherosclerosis 2287-2892 · 2288-2561 | Q1 | 1.844 | The Korean Society of Lipid and Atherosclerosis | English | 12 wk |
| 4 | Journal of Liver Cancer 2288-8128 · 2383-5001 | Q1 | 1.672 | Korean Liver Cancer Association | English | 12 wk |
| 5 | International Journal of Heart Failure 2636-154X · 2636-1558 | Q1 | 1.545 | Korean Society of Heart Failure | English | 6 wk |
| 6 | Clinical Hypertension 2056-5909 | Q1 | 1.439 | XMLink | English | 6 wk |
| 7 | Intestinal Research 1598-9100 · 2288-1956 | Q1 | 1.266 | Korean Association for the Study of Intestinal Diseases | English | 38 wk |
| 8 | Asian Spine Journal 1976-1902 · 1976-7846 | Q1 | 1.241 | Korean Spine Society | English | 24 wk |
| 9 | Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics 2713-4148 | Q1 | 1.205 | The Korean Pediatric Society | English | 60 wk |
| 10 | Journal of Rheumatic Diseases 2093-940X · 2233-4718 | Q1 | 1.103 | Korean College of Rheumatology | English | 12 wk |
| 11 | Kidney Research and Clinical Practice 2211-9132 · 2211-9140 | Q1 | 1.071 | The Korean Society of Nephrology | Korean, English | 10 wk |
| 12 | Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow 2383-8337 · 2288-8721 | Q1 | 0.892 | Korean Shoulder and Elbow Society | English | 15 wk |
| 13 | International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy 2288-6729 | Q1 | 0.882 | SpringerOpen | English | 13 wk |
| 14 | The Korean Journal of Pain 2005-9159 · 2093-0569 | Q1 | 0.881 | The Korean Pain Society | Korean, English | 16 wk |
| 15 | Clinics in Orthopedic Surgery 2005-291X · 2005-4408 | Q1 | 0.868 | Korean Orthopaedic Association | English | 36 wk |
| 16 | Journal of Educational Evaluation for Health Professions 1975-5937 | Q1 | 0.857 | Korea Health Personnel Licensing Examination Institute | English | 5 wk |
| 17 | Korean Journal of Family Medicine 2092-6715 | Q1 | 0.853 | The Korean Academy of Family Medine | Korean, English | 53 wk |
| 18 | Annals of Pediatric Endocrinology & Metabolism 2287-1012 · 2287-1292 | Q1 | 0.82 | Korean Society of Pediatric Endocrinology | English | 24 wk |
| 19 | Investigative and Clinical Urology 2466-0493 · 2466-054X | Q1 | 0.781 | Korean Urological Association | English | 4 wk |
| 20 | Acute and Critical Care 2586-6052 · 2586-6060 | Q1 | 0.65 | Korean Society of Critical Care Medicine | English | 12 wk |
| 21 | Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science 2799-8010 | Q1 | 0.496 | Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Yeungnam University Institute Medical Science | English | 12 wk |
| 22 | International Journal of Multicultural Education 1934-5267 | Q1 | 0.272 | Yonsei University | English | 52 wk |
| 23 | Korea Journal 0023-3900 · 2733-9343 | Q1 | 0.246 | The Academy of Korean Studies Press | English | 36 wk |
| 24 | International Journal of Korean History 1598-2041 · 2508-5921 | Q1 | 0.199 | Korea University, Center for Korean History | English | 12 wk |
| 25 | Journal of Movement Disorders 2005-940X · 2093-4939 | Q2 | 1.026 | Korean Movement Disorder Society | English | 12 wk |
| 26 | Ultrasonography 2288-5919 · 2288-5943 | Q2 | 0.787 | Korean Society of Ultrasound in Medicine | English | 15 wk |
| 27 | Obstetrics & Gynecology Science 2287-8572 · 2287-8580 | Q2 | 0.697 | Korean Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology | Korean, English | 16 wk |
| 28 | Restorative Dentistry & Endodontics 2234-7658 · 2234-7666 | Q2 | 0.628 | Korean Academy of Conservative Dentistry | English | 12 wk |
| 29 | Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation 2288-176X · 2288-1778 | Q2 | 0.579 | Korean Society of Exercise Rehabilitation | English | 10 wk |
| 30 | International Neurourology Journal 2093-4777 · 2093-6931 | Q2 | 0.526 | Korean Continence Society | English | 4 wk |
| 31 | Clinical and Experimental Emergency Medicine 2383-4625 | Q2 | 0.523 | The Korean Society of Emergency Medicine | English | 20 wk |
| 32 | Neurointervention 2093-9043 · 2233-6273 | Q2 | 0.483 | Korean Society of Interventional Neuroradiology | English | 12 wk |
| 33 | ETRI Journal 1225-6463 · 2233-7326 | Q2 | 0.42 | Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) | English | 8 wk |
| 34 | Journal of Chest Surgery 2765-1606 · 2765-1614 | Q2 | 0.402 | Korean Society for Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery | English | 7 wk |
| 35 | Journal of Pharmacopuncture 2093-6966 · 2234-6856 | Q2 | 0.398 | Korean Pharmacopuncture Institute | English, Korean | 10 wk |
| 36 | Science Editing 2288-8063 · 2288-7474 | Q2 | 0.346 | Korean Council of Science Editors | English | 10 wk |
| 37 | Journal of Marine and Island Cultures 2212-6821 | Q2 | 0.236 | Mokpo National University | English | 20 wk |
| 38 | Journal of Confucian Philosophy and Culture 1598-267X · 2734-1356 | Q2 | 0.171 | SHIN Dong Ryeol | English | 12 wk |
| 39 | Osong Public Health and Research Perspectives 2210-9099 · 2233-6052 | Q3 | 0.469 | Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency | English | 16 wk |
| 40 | Clinical and Experimental Vaccine Research 2287-3651 · 2287-366X | Q3 | 0.404 | Korean Vaccine Society; Korean Society of Zoonoses | English | 8 wk |
| 41 | Clinical Transplantation and Research 3022-6783 · 3022-7712 | Q3 | 0.372 | The Korean Society for Transplantation | English | 15 wk |
| 42 | Vascular Specialist International 2288-7970 · 2288-7989 | Q3 | 0.358 | Medrang | Korean, English | 17 wk |
| 43 | Journal of Radiation Protection and Research 2508-1888 · 2466-2461 | Q3 | 0.285 | Korean Association for Radiation Protection | English | 16 wk |
| 44 | Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging 2384-1109 | Q3 | 0.273 | Korean Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine | English | 12 wk |
| 45 | Childhood Kidney Diseases 2384-0242 · 2384-0250 | Q3 | 0.27 | Korean Society of Pediatric Nephrology | English | 12 wk |
| 46 | Journal of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery and Technique 2508-2043 | Q3 | 0.261 | Korean Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Society | English | 15 wk |
| 47 | Sleep Medicine Research 2093-9175 · 2233-8853 | Q3 | 0.257 | Korean Society of Sleep Medicine | English | 8 wk |
| 48 | Journal of Information Science Theory and Practice 2287-9099 · 2287-4577 | Q3 | 0.245 | Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information | English | 12 wk |
| 49 | Journal of Rhinology 1229-1498 · 2384-4361 | Q3 | 0.222 | Korean Rhinologic Society | English, Korean | 8 wk |
| 50 | Journal of Contemporary Eastern Asia 2383-9449 | Q3 | 0.212 | World Association for Triple Helix and Future Strategy Studies | English | 14 wk |
| 51 | Journal of Trauma and Injury 2799-4317 · 2287-1683 | Q3 | 0.21 | Korean Society of Traumatology | English, Korean | 11 wk |
| 52 | Annals of Child Neurology 2635-909X · 2635-9103 | Q3 | 0.179 | Korean Child Neurology Society | English, Korean | 8 wk |
| 53 | Journal of Neurocritical Care 2005-0348 · 2508-1349 | Q3 | 0.178 | The Korean Neurocritical Care Society | English, Korean | 10 wk |
| 54 | Gwagyeong Ilboneo Munhak Yeongu 2383-5222 · 2635-4829 | Q3 | 0.108 | The Global Institute for Japanese Studies, Korea University | English, Japanese | 23 wk |
| 55 | KEDI Journal of Educational Policy 1739-4341 · 3092-3824 | Q4 | 0.175 | Korean Educational Development Institute | English | 30 wk |
| 56 | Mass Spectrometry Letters 2233-4203 · 2093-8950 | Q4 | 0.156 | Korean Society for Mass Spectrometry | English | 6 wk |
| 57 | International Journal of Gastrointestinal Intervention 2636-0004 · 2636-0012 | Q4 | 0.147 | Society of Gastrointestinal Intervention | English | 24 wk |
| 58 | Cheyuk gwahag yeon-gu 1598-2920 · 2233-7938 | Q4 | 0.136 | Korea Institute of Sport Science | Korean | 7 wk |
| 59 | Journal of Korean Society of Spine Surgery 2093-4378 · 2093-4386 | Q4 | 0.112 | Korean Society of Spine Surgery | English, Korean | 10 wk |
| 60 | The Review of Korean Studies 1229-0076 · 2733-9351 | Q4 | 0.102 | The Academy of Korean Studies | English | 24 wk |
| 61 | Journal of Minimally Invasive Surgery 2234-778X · 2234-5248 | – | – | The Korean Society of Endo-Laparoscopic & Robotic Surgery | English | 8 wk |
| 62 | Asian Journal of Business Environment 2765-6934 · 2765-7027 | – | – | Korea Distribution Science Association | English | 25 wk |
| 63 | Brain & NeuroRehabilitation 1976-8753 · 2383-9910 | – | – | Korean Society for Neurorehabilitation | English | 10 wk |
| 64 | Clinical Pediatric Hematology-Oncology 2233-5250 · 2233-4580 | – | – | The Korean Society of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology | English, Korean | 9 wk |
| 65 | East Asian Economic Review 2508-1640 · 2508-1667 | – | – | Korea Institute for International Economic Policy | English | 10 wk |
| 66 | Encephalitis 2765-4559 · 2734-1461 | – | – | Korean Encephalitis and Neuroinflammation Society | English | 15 wk |
| 67 | Food and Life 2714-0865 | – | – | Guhmok | Korean, English | 8 wk |
| 68 | Gastrointestinal Intervention 2213-1795 · 2213-1809 | – | – | Society of Gastrointestinal Intervention | English | 24 wk |
| 69 | International Journal of Contents 1738-6764 · 2093-7504 | – | – | Korea Contents Associaition | English | 8 wk |
| 70 | International Journal of Documentary Heritage 3058-9428 · 3058-9061 | – | – | International Centre for Documentary Heritage (ICDH) under the auspices of UNESCO | English | 20 wk |
| 71 | International Journal of Early Childhood Education 1226-9557 · 2733-9653 | – | – | The Korean Society for Early Childhood Education | English | 12 wk |
| 72 | International Journal of Pain 2233-4793 · 2233-4807 | – | – | Korean Association for the Study of Pain, Korean Pain Intervention Society | English | 12 wk |
| 73 | Journal of Acupuncture Research 2586-288X · 2586-2898 | – | – | MEDrang Inc. | Korean, English | 12 wk |
| 74 | Journal of Acute Care Surgery 2288-5862 · 2288-9582 | – | – | Korean Society of Acute Care Surgery | English | 12 wk |
| 75 | Journal of Cardiovascular Intervention 2799-6999 · 2799-7014 | – | – | Korean Society of Interventional Cardiology | English | 6 wk |
| 76 | Journal of Intellectual Property 1975-5945 · 2733-8487 | – | – | Korea Institute of Intellectual Property | English, Korean | 14 wk |
| 77 | Journal of Korean Art and Archaeology 2577-9842 · 2951-4983 | – | – | National Museum of Korea | English | 24 wk |
| 78 | Journal of Menopausal Medicine 2288-6478 · 2288-6761 | – | – | Korean Society of Menopause | English | 12 wk |
| 79 | Journal of Musculoskeletal Trauma 3058-6267 · 3058-6275 | – | – | The Korean Orthopaedic Trauma Association | English | 26 wk |
| 80 | Journal of Surgical Ultrasound 2288-9140 · 2671-7883 | – | – | The Korean Surgical Ultrasound Society | English, Korean | 8 wk |
| 81 | Journal of Urologic Oncology 2951-603X · 2982-7043 | – | – | Korean Urological Oncology Society | English | 8 wk |
| 82 | Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science 1738-3544 · 2288-1662 | – | – | The Korean Society for Clinical Laboratory Science | English, Korean | 8 wk |
| 83 | Korean Journal of Clinical Oncology 1738-8082 · 2288-4084 | – | – | Korean Society of Surgical Oncology | English | 13 wk |
| 84 | Korean Journal of Critical Care Medicine 2383-4870 · 2383-4889 | – | – | Korean Society of Critical Care Medicine | English, Korean | 15 wk |
| 85 | Korean Journal of Pediatrics 1738-1061 · 2092-7258 | – | – | Korean Pediatric Society | English | 12 wk |
| 86 | Korean Journal of Transplantation 2671-8790 · 2671-8804 | – | – | Korean Society for Transplantation | English | 24 wk |
| 87 | Nursing and Healthcare Science 2983-4058 · 2983-435X | – | – | Keimyung University Research Institute of Nursing Science | English, Korean | 6 wk |
| 88 | Organoid 2765-205X | – | – | The Organoid Society | English | 12 wk |
| 89 | Precision and Future Medicine 2508-7940 · 2508-7959 | – | – | Sungkyunkwan University School of Medi | English | 10 wk |
| 90 | Research Briefs on Information & Communication Technology Evolution 2383-9201 | – | – | Innovative Information Science & Technology Research Group (ISYOU) | English | 8 wk |
| 91 | The Ewha Medical Journal 2234-3180 · 2234-2591 | – | – | Ewha Womans University College of Medicine | English, Korean | 6 wk |
| 92 | The Korean Journal of Helicobacter and Upper Gastrointestinal Research 1738-3331 | – | – | Korean College of Helicobacter and Upper Gastrointestinal Research | Korean, English | 18 wk |
| 93 | The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology 1229-9901 · 2982-8406 | – | – | Korean Society Of Nuclear Medicine Technology | Korean, English | 8 wk |
| 94 | Urogenital Tract Infection 2465-8243 · 2465-8510 | – | – | Korean Association of Urogenital Tract Infection and Inflammation | English | 14 wk |
| 95 | 선진국방연구 2635-5531 · 2636-1329 | – | – | Institute of Defense Acquisition Program | English, Korean | 5 wk |
Where these journals come from
Top subject areas (Scopus-ranked)
Top publishers
- Korean Society of Critical Care Medicine 2
- Society of Gastrointestinal Intervention 2
- Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) 1
- Ewha Womans University College of Medicine 1
- Guhmok 1
- Innovative Information Science & Technology Research Group (ISYOU) 1
Manuscript languages accepted
- English 94
- Korean 24
- Japanese 1
About this list
Country means the publisher’s country as recorded in the DOAJ, not the language or the authors’ origin: most journals accept submissions from anywhere. Community-verified journals were checked by hand against a short checklist (ISSN, peer review, no fees, recent issues) and are marked “Not in DOAJ”.
Diamond open access (also called Platinum) means the journal is free to read and free to publish in: the DOAJ records it with “APC: no” and “other fees: no”. Quartiles come from the latest SCImago edition: Q1 is the top 25% of journals in a subject category, Q4 the bottom 25%; the lists show a journal’s best quartile. Read more in our open access guide.
Before submitting, always confirm the journal on its own website and in the DOAJ, verify Scopus indexing by ISSN with the Scopus check rather than trusting claims on the journal’s site, and watch out for look-alike titles (see the predatory journal checklist).