Korean Job Discussion Forums

[is so delicious]

This is getting ridiculous. I've been to five banks and every currency exchange counter in the airport, and none of them will exchange my Mongolian money.

The last one said there was no place to do that in Korea.

So... just want to get this straight. I visit one of the closest countries to Korea, come home with a few hundred dollars left over, and I either throw it away or use it to wipe?

I must be missing something here. Where can I exchange ANY currency for Korean WON??

OR... is anyone traveling to Mongolia any time soon? I'll meet you anywhere for the exchange.

[ed4444]

There are loads of Mongolian people in Seoul who would be willing to exchange the cash to avoid bank fees.

[is so delicious]

[ed4444]

Lots of them hang out at the central asian village in Gwanghui-dong in Tongdaemun near the market. And if you can't find anyone at least you will get some interesting food there

[ZIFA]

No bank will take it.
Tugrik is not accepted anywhere outside of Mongolia.

I hung onto mine for over a year until I managed to sell it to someone who was taking a holiday there. I was desperate to offload it in the end that I had to give quite a discount to get rid.

I'd love to visit mongolia a second time, but I'll never make that mistake again.

[young_clinton]

[Jake_Kim]

Even KEB will not accept MNT, cross-rate can be computed but they are never quoted against KRW.
If I were in your shoes, I'd probably find a buyer on a Korean travel forum for Mongolia (i.e. a DAUM 'Cafe') where similar deals have been offered and made occasionally. It is natural that you'd look for a buyer exclusively within the expat population, but unless you're very lucky, the demand must be really thin and sporadic given Mongolia is not among the usual getaway place like SE Asia.
But then, of course, you need to sign up and post an advert IN KOREAN.

[oldtactics]

I agree with the other posters - you'd have the best luck changing it directly with someone. Try the Mongolian restaurants near Dongdaemun and ask the owner or server if they can help. Alternately, post on craigslist and on the buy/sell boards here - I'm sure there's someone spending vacation there soon who would be willing to trade for won. Good luck!

[nate1983]

As an addendum, I'd like to remind people that you should ALWAYS exchange to dollars in the country you're leaving, and then exchange the dollars at your next destination, as the USD has the tightest spread anywhere against the home currency (with possible exceptions like the euro in European countries like Sweden, Norway, or Hungary).

Why did you leave Mongolia with Tugrik? No offense, but that's even dumber than the Koreans who take won to Thailand.