# Korean speech-to-text API (한국어)

> KolWrite transcribes Korean audio and video into Hangul with one API call: send "language": "ko" and get segments with timestamps and speaker labels as JSON, TXT or SRT. Oracle models translate Korean into English or 99 other languages.

Last updated: 2026-10-08 · HTML: https://console.kolwrite.com/speech-to-text/korean

## Transcribe Korean with one request

Set `language` to `ko` and start a job. Poll `GET /transcribe/{jobId}` for the result, or pass a `webhook_url`.

```bash
curl https://app.kolwrite.com/transcribe \
  -H "x-api-key: $KOLWRITE_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"audio_url": "https://example.com/meeting-ko.m4a", "model": "oracle", "language": "ko", "include_diarization": true, "output_format": "json"}'
```

Translate Korean audio into English in the same job (Oracle models only):

```bash
curl https://app.kolwrite.com/transcribe \
  -H "x-api-key: $KOLWRITE_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"audio_url": "https://example.com/meeting-ko.m4a", "model": "oracle_mini", "language": "ko", "translate_to": "en", "output_format": "srt"}'
```

## Korean at a glance

| Property | Details |
| --- | --- |
| API code | `ko` |
| Native name | 한국어 |
| Writing direction | Left to right |
| Automatic detection | Yes: omit `language` or send `"auto"` |
| Translate Korean audio into | Any of the 100 supported languages, on Oracle models |
| Translate other languages into Korean | Yes: `translate_to: "ko"` on Oracle models |
| Output | JSON (segments, word timings, speakers), TXT, SRT |
| Price | US$0.48 (Base) to US$3.60 (Oracle Max) per audio hour; US$1.44 on Oracle |

## What to know about Korean transcription

- Korean spacing rules are often applied loosely in everyday writing. Compare transcripts with references after removing spaces, or you will over-count errors.
- Korean speech carries many English loanwords written in Hangul; brand names may appear in Hangul or Latin letters.
- Speech levels (formal and informal endings) are transcribed as spoken; the API does not rewrite register.

## Where teams use Korean transcription

- Korean video and entertainment subtitles, including translated subtitles.
- Customer calls and meetings for companies in Korea.
- Interviews and focus groups translated with `translate_to: "en"`.

## Choosing a model

Start with `oracle` (US$1.44 per hour) for production Korean audio. Use `base` (US$0.48) for clean, single-speaker recordings at volume, `oracle_mini` (US$0.96) for the cheapest translation, and `oracle_pro` or `oracle_max` for noisy or difficult audio. KolWrite does not publish a Korean accuracy figure for this API, so test a sample of your own recordings before committing. Full comparison: [models and prices](https://console.kolwrite.com/models).

## Questions and answers

### Can I make translated subtitles from Korean video?

Yes. Use an Oracle model with `translate_to` and `output_format: "srt"`.

### Does spacing in the transcript matter?

Korean spacing varies between writers. If you measure accuracy, compare without spaces.

### How much does Korean transcription cost?

The same per-hour rates as every language: from US$0.48 (Base) to US$3.60 (Oracle Max).

## Related pages

- [Japanese speech-to-text](https://console.kolwrite.com/speech-to-text/japanese)
- [Chinese speech-to-text](https://console.kolwrite.com/speech-to-text/chinese)
- [English speech-to-text](https://console.kolwrite.com/speech-to-text/english)
- [Media, podcasts & subtitles](https://console.kolwrite.com/use-cases/media)
- [Call centers & sales calls](https://console.kolwrite.com/use-cases/call-centers)
- [Supported languages](https://console.kolwrite.com/languages/)

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Get an API key: https://console.kolwrite.com/auth · API documentation: https://console.kolwrite.com/public_api_docs · llms.txt: https://console.kolwrite.com/llms.txt