Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mishlert]

I got a Samsung Amex card, and it's valid till 2008.
When I was called to verify information I asked the woman about foreigners getting credit cards in Korea, and she told me the following for getting a Samsung card:

1) An applicant must make 1.2 mil a month.
2) When applying bring alien reg. card, and bank book.
3) Hogwon teachers must show proof of salary from the school
4) University teachers need not worry about proof as the bank book is sufficent; the company sees a uni job as more stable.
5) In both cases the schools will be called, so have the number when applying.

In Korea when you use your charge card you can spread out the payments up to 12 months, depending on the store.

For more information you call Samsung Card directly at 02 2197 8706.
Don't worry, whoever answers the phone at that number speaks English.

[whatthefunk]

Remember that extra caution must be taken when handling Korean credit cards. Stay away from all tall buildings and bridges and remove firearms from your place of residence.

[beach bum]

[rapier]

i know an american who applied. they were very reluctant to deal with him and gave him all sorts of B.S to put him off. Ultimately he wrote a formal letter threatening to complain to head office- and bingo- no problem whatsoever after that.

[The Lemon]

I was told this week by the manager of my bank (Kookmin) that it'd be no problem to get a credit card, as my monthly pay is deposited directly into my Kookmin account and they know how much I'm making. All I have to do is bring in a statement from the school saying I'm currently an employee, my resident card, and my health insurance, and they'll give me one - no deposit or anything necessary.

I might do it tomorrow or Tuesday - it's too much of a hassle to send money back to Canada to pay my Canadian credit cards.

[dutchman]

[mishlert]

My limit at the moment is 2.5 million, but I was told that it will go higher.

[Mankind]

It will go higher if you pay it off every month. I used to have mine withdraw straightout of my bank account, so that I never forgot to pay it off. I started with 2.5 million a month. After 2 years, my credit limit was 30 million!!! I put plane tickets and hotels from trips, and dinners at western resturants on it, and it went up like mad.

HAND

[chronicpride]

[jvalmer]

If you think its tough to get credit in Korea. Try being a new immigrant in Canada and trying to get a credit card or car insurance. Most of the small insurance companies don't want to even touch a newbie. A lot of the bigger companies ask for a full years payment before insuring you. As for credit, if you don't have any family already in Canada with established credit, you'll probably be waiting at least 2+ years before they even consider issuing you a credit card.

[mishlert]

That's Cananda. As far as I know, no credit check was done on me. If it was it was only for Korea where it's spotless.
Also, one of the reasons they want to see your bank book is that when the bill comes they take what's due straight form your account; you are given a choice as to when that is done, and I chose that day day after pay day.

[Howard Roark]

What if you get the card and never use it? Is there a monthly/annual fee or anything that you will have to pay anyway?

[chronicpride]

Groovy...thanks for the info, mishlert. I plan on giving them a call. I only have a BC card(uh) right now, but would love to have the emergency cushion of credit card(uh) when I travel.

[chronicpride]

[Medic]

I rang the numbers for the Samsung Amex card, and they referred me to their home page. Was all in Korean, but the little English that was there reffered to the same telephone numbers as on previous posts.

How can I write to the person in charge of the credit cards?