Korean Job Discussion Forums

King Baeksu · Joined: 22 Oct 2006

I know that the issue of foreigners being denied international debit cards here has been thrashed to death on this forum, however, I have two things I'd like to add to the debate myself.

First of all, I recently wrote about this issue for the Chosun Ilbo which is Korea's largest national newspaper. I would encourage all participants here to print out this article and give it to their local bank branch managers:

http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2007/05/25/2007052501053.html

As I write in my article, there is definitely no government law barring Korean banks from issuing int'l bank cards to foreigners, so perhaps a bit of mass big-nose activism is in order. A longer English version of the article can be read here:

http://www.kingbaeksu.com/bbs/view.php?id=bug&page=1&sn1=&divpage=1&sn=off&ss=on&sc=on&select_arrange=headnum&desc=asc&no=340

Finally, it is definitely the case that Nonghyup in Chongno-1-ga and Hana in Ulchiro-1-ga offer int'l debit cards to resident foreigners here, so those are the places to go if you are having trouble elsewhere.

Hope this helps!

Hater Depot · Joined: 29 Mar 2005

Cool.

I've actually heard from Korean friends that they have similar issues with inconsistency from one bank branch to another.

doggyji · Posted: Thu May 31, 2007 11:34 am Post subject:

Cool. Activism is just cool. Oh, you are Scott Burgeson.

hogwonguy1979 · Joined: 22 Dec 2003 Location: the racoon den

great work, i'm going to use it in my current events class today as we talk about korean racism

jaganath69 · Joined: 17 Jul 2003

Well done chap!

dogshed · Joined: 28 Apr 2006

If I get an international card how do I know that the card they give
me really will work?

Guri Guy · Joined: 07 Sep 2003 Location: Bamboo Island

Excellent work Sir. You are a good example for all foreigners. I will use this myself when I apply for an international debit card from KEB. Thanks. Smile

DCJames · Joined: 27 Jul 2006

Alyallen · Posted: Thu May 31, 2007 3:29 pm Post subject:

Nice-uh!

hogwonguy1979 · Joined: 22 Dec 2003 Location: the racoon den

OP, did you go to the Hana Bank near the Hongik gate since you said you teach there?

cdninkorea · Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul

Great article!

So this new Int'l ATM card you have- you're sure it works?

oxfordstu · Joined: 28 Aug 2004 Location: Bangkok

jdog2050 · Joined: 17 Dec 2006

jaganath69 · Joined: 17 Jul 2003

I have a Kookmin international ATM card and last used it in Bali in early 2006. Does anyone have one of these issued before that time that they have successfully used overseas recently? I will probably have cause to use mine again in August and don't want to be left stranded in Indonesia without access to funds.

King Baeksu · Joined: 22 Oct 2006

Hi Oxfordstu, Chongno is in downtown northern Seoul and Ulchiro is near Myong-dong, also in central Seoul.

The guy at Nonghyup actually said I could even get an int'l "check card" which means you can also use the card to purchase items at shops and have the amount directly debited from your bank account. Perhaps the Nonghyups in Busan will also be amenable to helping you out.

I am indeed concerned about whether my new int'l cash card will work overseas but it does work on machines here on the Plus network. We shall see this summer if I've been had or not!