Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Mikhai]

I went to Kookmin Bank (KB*) Yesterday. Whom I have been banking with for going on two years. They are very friendly and helpful at the branch I use. However the bank's policy's are very discriminative against foreigners. I switched to KB* from KEB, because KEB stopped allowing foreigners usage of International Cards (KB* allows it). I tried applying for internet banking so that I could transfer money online. However they don't allow foreigner to do this. I also inquired about obtaining a credit card, however they don't allow foreigners to do this either. I have several time deposits with the bank in addition to a savings and chequings account. I just thought it very odd and a bit discriminative. I've never overdrawn nor have I done anything outside the limits of the banking establishment. Yet they refuse me services on the grounds I am a foreigner, eventhough I am residing legally here. I have lived in many countries in my life. None of them discriminated against foreigners in this manner. In fact it was illegal in the UK, France, South Africa, Hong Kong and the Philippines to do so (the US as well). Has anyone else had a problem with this with some of the banks here? I really enjoy HSBC however the HSBC here in Korea doesn't offer many services at all. Its a rather useless Banking establishment. However they are very friendly and helpful with dealing with my accounts back in the UK and Hong Kong. However a branch of SC First Bank flat out refused to do banking with me on the grounds of me being a foreigner. I have an ARC, Passport, the Korean National Health Certificate, and I am employed by a University. So I am curious has anyone else had any problems with some of the banks here?

[Len8]

Could be a ruse by a new manager because he doesn't know anything. Maybe the internet banking is all done in Korean. If that's the case scream at them to make it accessible in English.

I did come across a bank teller in KEB who, because she didn't want to deal with foreigeners made Koreans jump the cue and delay serving the waeguks. That has to be the example of the year for rudnes, lack of class, and a cracked in the head attitude about xenophobia.

[crazylemongirl]

Sometimes you need to stop looking for zebras when you have horses right in front of you.

Most of the time 'discrimination' means:

"I don't understand what you want"
or "I don't know how to do what you want"

Try another branch.

[JZer]

[HamuHamu]

The other thing is that it isn't often the bank itself, but government regulations - some branches are just more strict than others in enforcing them.

When it comes to credit cards, I personally can understand the restrictions: although you are a resident, you are only a temporary resident (I assume, being that you are a teacher) and you do not have 'indefinite leave to remain' (can a foreigner get such thing in Korea?) When you are done here, there is ntohign stopping you from walking out of Korea with a huge credit card balance, and little way for the bank to find you.

[markhan]

[braunshade]

markhan must be a gyopo!

[JZer]

[JZer]

[Sina qua non]

[butlerian]

You can get a credit card from KB bank. However, like most other banks, it requires a 110% deposit.

[Octavius Hite]

Its not discrimination, its a mix of poor English skills/fear of dealing with us and old and new government regulations. I have an international bank card from KB* but that was before spectrumgate, after that things gotten tightened up. Remember Koreans couldn't travel overseas for years (except to the foriegn country of Jeju, lol) because they needed to keep capital in country. Korean's couldn't buy foriegn property of any serious value until this year!!! Also to try and prevent capital flight. They are very sensitive about it and have every right to be after the screwing they recieved in 1997. And their not the only country to be like this. N.Korea has two different currencies one for its citizens and one for foriegners.

My advice, first stop bitchin about how terrible it is to be a rich (by most Asian's standards) white man (or woman for that matter) cause you have nothing to really bitch about. Then go around to banks until you find one that gives it to you, one of my hags got an international card at a KB* in Gangnam two weeks ago alone, with no korean speaker tagging along, so I'm sure you can do it.

[Sina qua non]

[Real Reality]

Foreigners Experience Difficulties in Living in Korea
Overall living conditions, including education, housing, medical care, transportation, immigration, and access to the Internet are pointed to as inconveniences. Not only inconveniences caused by different systems and customs in Korea, but also special discriminating practices, such as the practice of submitting two years of monthly rent in advance like a deposit, which is required of foreigners just because they are foreigners, are ubiquitous....
An official in the International Cooperation Division of Seoul City admitted, "The same complaints regarding visas, transportation, education, and environment are raised every year without being solved, due to the lack of cooperation from government agencies involved and their passive attitudes."
by Jae-Dong Yu and Soo-Jung Shin, Donga.com (July 4, 2004)
http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?biid=2004070522448

For Housing Rentals, Foreigners Easy Victims
By Byun Duk-kun, Korea Times (August 28, 2003)
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/nation/200308/kt2003082818233111970.htm

Koreans cast wary eye on world
A new poll suggests that a few traces of Korea's history as a "hermit kingdom" still linger in modern South Korea. The poll suggests that the general public here has a strong distrust of neighboring countries and favors the acquisition of nuclear weapons to deter outside pressure.

Only 40 percent said Korea should increase its aid to poorer countries, for example, and two-thirds opposed the idea of easing the requirements for foreigners to obtain Korean citizenship. More than 57 percent rejected the idea that Korea should follow decisions of international organizations that differed from sentiment here.
by Shin Chang-woon, Chun Young-gi, JoongAng Daily (October 15, 2005)
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/200510/14/200510142210035839900090409041.html

[dogbert]