Korean Job Discussion Forums

[wonkavite62]

I used to work in Korea but that was 6 years ago. I got the impression it was impossible to use my British bank card in South Korea so I didn't. Now I am about to go to Seoul on vacation. Is there any place in Seoul where I could use my British ATM card. I don't want to have to carry huge amounts of cash with me.

[chellovek]

I've used my HSBC card in Korea just fine at the bus station in Jeonju. Not all the ATMs accept it, but I'm pretty certain you will find one. Albeit, I don't know any precise place in Seoul.

[northway]

You'll be able to use it all over the place, assuming it has a Visa or Mastercard logo on it (which may say Cirrus, Plus, or something else). Almost any bank of ATMs in Seoul will have one that accepts foreign cards (clearly labeled), while the vast majority of convenience store ATMs will also accept foreign cards. I've never had a problem using my US Cirrus/Plus enabled card anywhere.

[morrisonhotel]

If you are with TSB then tell them before you leave. Despite telling them innumerable times that I live in Korea, they've blocked my card 3 bloody times because of unexpected usage in another country (Korea). The last time they blocked my card altogether. I hadn't realised because they did it after I had managed to get money out. They then told me when I then rang them up that they couldn't unblock it because I hadn't contacted them to straighten it out within a certain period. I was told to go in store and get a member of staff to ring them to straighten it out. Really wonderful customer service when you live several thousand miles away.

When I have been able to use it, I've been able to use it okay in any Global ATMs in Seoul. There's plenty about.

[amnsg2]

It's hard to find one but once you do you'll have no issue getting money. Taking exit 3 or 4 at Chungmuro subway station will lead you to a Wooribank that has a big line of ATM's. There's a worldwide one there that you can use. If from there you go down the creepy back alleyways towards Dongguk university, there's also one next to the No Brain bar. It's completely random which ones work but you won't be stuck for money for long. I was using a British visa card and others got money with a mastercard.

[northway]

[Tundra_Creature]

As long as you use an atm with Plus or Cirrus (assuming your card has either), it should be fine. Had no problems using mine, but my classmate had a few issues with his (though he may have been using the wrong machine).

[Isehtis]

What are the charges like for using your card? I need to get money into the country from home and since I don't have a K-bank account yet, this sounds like it might be the easiest option