Korean Job Discussion Forums

Snowflake · Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Location: Seoul

I have a maestro card from KB which I can use as a swipe card in major stores like Lotte and Homeplus - however is it possible to get a debit card (not a credit card) that I can use in other smaller shops, restaurants etc instead of carrying around huge amounts of cash?

uberscheisse · Joined: 02 Dec 2003 Location: japan is better than korea.

yes. ask for a "check-u kad-u". my check card acts like a debit card. dealing with KB is like dealing with an irrational 65 year old ajosshi schoolmaster, so i'd switch to woori ASAP.

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

Hana bank does me right. I have the card that can be used as a debit card and ATM card inside Korea, and I have an international ATM card that works anywhere in the world, but only in ATMs.

Snowflake · Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Location: Seoul

Thanks for the replies - all good - but does anyone have experience of getting a debit card with KB? I don't really want to change banks (too much hassle trying to set up new direct debits etc......).

Atavistic · Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 9:07 pm Post subject:

biggpoppa · Joined: 14 Jul 2007 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

PeterDragon · Joined: 15 Feb 2007

IncognitoHFX · Joined: 06 May 2007 Location: Yeongtong, Suwon

Shinhan is really good. I have a card through them and it has debit. I didn't even have to ask for it, I think they gave me a special card reserved for "out-of-townies" here long term. It works very well for me, and I never have any problems.

I'd say it was one of the best banks (but Woori sounds good too).

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

Evil Boweevil · Joined: 20 Oct 2007 Location: Fort Worth, Texas

Keepongoing · Joined: 13 Feb 2003 Location: Korea

Our school encouraged us to switch to Woori and they would not issue and Intl ATM Card and I heard charge 20,000 won for money transfers back home

they suck

Snowflake · Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Location: Seoul

.....so.......no-one got a card from KB then??
Guess I'm changing banks.
Rolling Eyes

Atavistic · Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 11:56 pm Post subject:

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

I got my card in February when my first "international" card wouldn't work at any bank outside Korea except HSBC (I didn't try Citibank, I heard that it would've worked after the fact).

I have tried my new, true international ATM card in 3 other countries, including the USA.

In Feb., other Hana bank branches wouldn't give the same card to my friends. They just had to shop around branches. Get someone from your school to write it in hangul for you, or better yet, go with you to the bank. If they don't comply, ask to see the law or take you money elsewhere.

jennateacher · Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2007 1:34 am Post subject:

I have "BC" card from Nong Hyup. It is an international card. I used it in Hong Kong, last chusok. I first had a beige "BC" that was for incountry only, this card is blue.

I use it at all stores that take cards in Korea, just paid 2,300 on it for milk and water at the local no-name grocery.