Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Swampfox10mm]

It is not uncommon for many ATMs to run out of money early on Solal holiday weekend, so I suggest you take money out now if you need it. Just waited in line for 15 mins at the WOORI machines here.

[detonate]

Anyone else never had problems with this?

Where would you be going where you would need cash instead of just a more convenient and quicker card?

[definitely maybe]

It wasn't so long ago that Korean debit/credit cards weren't available to foreigners here. Some bank branches might even tell you it's still not possible. Just because you haven't experienced it, it doesn't mean it has never been an issue.

[detonate]

2004 or before maybe? I'm all for preparation but foreigners contributing to the problem when it shouldn't even be an issue might not be the best practice... especially when most of us make more than the average Korean and may have the means to take out more cash.

[The Floating World]

I usually find the 24hr machines in the cvs stores still work fine.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm sure I remember using them over the holiday before when the banks atms were not putting out.

Hey anyway, forced savings right?

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

Some bank cards will work, some won't. It depends if your bank issues 365 day cards or regular cards. My friend found out that hers had the regular card the hard way during Chuseok. Fortunately, I was there to the rescue with my NH card.

[tiger fancini]

Almost 6 years in Korea, never happened to me or anybody that I know. Whenever I ask Koreans about this, they say that it used to happen a long time ago, but the convenience-oriented society has made it a thing of days long gone (I'm paraphrasing btw).

I'll concede that if you live deep in the bowels of the countryside then it might be worth considering.

[YTMND]

I actually had the opposite happen. Way out in the country, no problems. Since there weren't many people, the money was plentiful. I could take money out anytime I wanted to.

I moved to Seoul and machines were down. Lines were longer. I went to withdraw, "Sorry, deposit only". This happened two times in Seoul, one time during the holidays, one time on an off day, and a third time it happened again during the holidays.

I think by saying, "I suggest you take money out now if you need it", the OP is saying to take what you need, not to deplete the funds in the machine.

Now, I am remembering a fourth time with my ex-girlfriend when she drove me around looking for a bank. People kept telling her, "Closed for the holidays". Get what you need.

[definitely maybe]

Weird stuff can happen. I was once in Itaewon on a Sunday after all the bank facilities had closed when somehow, miraculously, all of the ATMs in the convenience stores, subways, etc., seemed to go offline. I know this because I walked from location to location and witnessed people trying to figure out what was wrong.I ended up tracking down a friend to borrow taxi fare, but it was a weird experience.

[schwa]

This was a real concern 10 years ago but not anymore. Back then, the few & only atm's were at banks & did run out of cash on extended holidays. Now there are money machines everywhere. Also, most Koreans at that time paid cash for everything, but cards have since proliferated. No worries.

[Who's Your Daddy?]

[sharkey]

well I cant withdraw my money from Busan Bank, it says all the servers are down or something. I have a cheon won, god.

[definitely maybe]

[Rutherford]

Busan Bank will be down for the whole holiday (21st to 24th) while they update their computer system. They sent out a text message in Korean about it.

[The Floating World]