Loanwords are words which, although foreign in origin, have become like native words and are frequently used. In Korean, Sino-Korean words undoubtedly form the major part of Korean vocabulary. In the history of the Korean language, Sino-Korean words started to be included from as early as the second to third century and since then they have formed a major part of Korean vocabulary. According to the Standard Korean Language Dictionary, around 57 per cent of Korean vocabulary consists of Sino-Korean loanwords.

During the twentieth century, loanwords, particularly those of English origin, rapidly increased in number in line with the Westernisation of the country. In this chapter, therefore, we will focus on phonological aspects of English loanwords.