As a US citizen, can I stay in South Korea past the expiration of my student visa, using the 90 days that I'm normally allowed to stay visa-free? [closed]

I am a US citizen with a US passport. I will be studying abroad in Seoul later in the year and I am required to apply for a D-2 student visa for my program. My study abroad program will last for around 4 months, however I was planning on going to Korea a month earlier than the start of my program and staying for another month or two after it ends.

Will I need to apply for a separate visa for that?
I know that Korea allows visitors to stay 90 days without a visa so if the total amount of days I stay before and after my trip is less than 90 days will it be okay?
Is it possible for me to use that same D-2 visa to cover the extent of my trip or will it only cover the days of my program?
Lastly, am I able to regain entry into the country if I were to take trips outside of Korea during my time there? I wanted to plan some side trips since the price of flying from country to country within Asia is so much cheaper than if I were to fly from the US.

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Can I stay in Korea after my visa expires?

Visa extension can be applied starting from 4 months before the expiration date. If students stay in Korea after their visa has expired, they can be regarded as illegal immigrants and will have to pay fines to the Immigration Office. Thus, don't forget to extend the visa in advance to the expiration date.

How long can I stay in South Korea as a US citizen?

For US citizens you must have a valid passport to enter the Republic of Korea. Although obtaining a visa in advance can ease the entry process, as long as you have a valid U.S. passport, you can enter the Republic of Korea without a visa for a stay of up to 90 days if you are a tourist or on business.

Can I extend my student visa in South Korea?

It is not possible to extend one's ARC after the allowed period; hence, the student visa ( D-2 ) will be terminated automatically. All international students are obligated to report changes/updates in their personal information to the immigration office in Korea.

Can I stay in Korea longer than 90 days?

Foreigners can stay in Korea within the limit of status and duration that the visa allows. Foreigners who stay for more than 90 days after their arrival in the Republic of Korea must get registered.

What is a Visa Overstay? Consequences and Solutions to Over staying a Visa

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