Korean Job Discussion Forums

[namerae]

Anyone know if Western Union is available in Korea? Family members want to wire money to me after I arrive, and are curious as to whether Western Union is in the banks/post offices there.

If not, who should I go with and how do I get the money over there?

Thank you.

[Darkeru]

I don't know about Western Union, but if it's a large amount of money (since the fee is apparently fixed - at least in my case), apparently it can be done as a transfer from bank to bank directly.

[namerae]

[Xuanzang]

I would setup a bank account and then have it money wired to your account. Western Union can be problematic and costly here.

[cassimira]

you can wire money DIRECTLY from bank to bank only if your home bank has an international banking (SWIFT) code. If your bank is a local or regional bank, they probably don't have one of these and will use an intermediary bank instead. It can still be done, but some of your money will be taken en route by the intermediaries as a fee... something to keep in mind if you are looking for a specific amount to reach you.

Also, this makes it a lot more difficult/expensive to transfer money FROM Korea.

Just something your family should be aware of before they initiate an international wire transfer.... if their bank is a smaller bank, they might want to consider opening an account with a bank with more of an international presence.... it will cost them less to send you the money in the long run.

[peppermint]

KB* banks all handle Western Union transfers and they're pretty much everywhere.

[cassimira]

pepperment, do you know if you can initiate western union transfers from *KB as well as receive them?

[schwa]