1. Communication
services
1) Phone
Landline phone
Unlike mobile phones, this refers to a phone connected to a 'communication line'. You can use the service by applying to a telecommunications company that provides landline services, such as KT (☎100, www.kt.com), SK Broadband (☎106, www.bworld.co.kr), and LGU+ (☎101, www.lguplus.com). In the case of foreigners, a copy of their passport and alien registration card is required when signing up for a landline phone product.
Mobile phone
How to open an account Representative telecommunication companies include SKT, KT, and LG U+. To open a mobile phone account, you need documents such as a passport, alien registration card, and bankbook copy. If an agent applies, you can visit the agency with the applicant's documents and the agent's ID. The contract period is usually 2 years, so if you cancel midway, you will have to pay a penalty. For usage fees, you can choose between prepaid and postpaid when signing the contract.
2) Internet
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Super fast internet
How to open: KT, SK Broadband, and LG U+ are representative high-speed Internet communication companies. Call the subscription consultation number or sign up on each website, and then apply for installation. A service technician will visit you in person. There is an initial installation fee, and usage fees vary depending on the communication company and selected product.
Usage Fee: Usually, the usage period is contracted for 1, 2, or 3 years. The usage fee is discounted depending on the usage period, and if you cancel before the expiration of the period, you must pay the full amount of the discounted fee provided according to the contract period as a penalty. In addition, depending on the contract period, the rental fee for equipment such as modems and APs that were provided free of charge will be converted to a fee and must be paid separately.
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portable wifi
If you carry a portable Wi-Fi device, you can receive Internet service anytime and anywhere. You can open an account by visiting SKT, KT, or LG U+, and the contract is usually for a 2-year contract. If you cancel before the contract period ends, you will have to pay a penalty.
Internet cafe
Also called PC room. It is a space where you can play online games, use the internet, etc. by paying an hourly or flat rate. Most are open 24 hours and the hourly rate is about 1,000 to 2,000 won. They also sell light snacks.
3) Postal and courier services
Domestic mail
Visit the post office, fill in the recipient's address and zip code, and pay the appropriate fee based on whether or not you use a standard envelope, the weight of the mail, etc. Registered mail is expensive, but since the delivery history is recorded, you can check whether or not you received the mail. It is recommended to use registered mail for important mail. Post office business hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekdays.
Post Office Call Center
General ☎1588-1300 / Weekdays 9:00~18:00 / Closed on Saturdays and public holidays Overseas customers ☎82-2-609-4295 / Weekdays 9:00~18:00 / Closed on Saturdays and Sundays
Tip. This service can be used when you want to receive mail at your new address due to a change in address, such as moving in or moving out. You can choose a period of use of 3, 6, 9, or 12 months, and the fee is free for the same area. For more information, please visit the post office homepage (www.epost.go.kr).
International Mail
If you need to send letters, documents, parcels, etc. overseas urgently, it is convenient to use the Post Office's international express mail service, EMS (Express Mail Service). Rates vary depending on the type and weight of the mail, and after sending international mail (EMS, air parcel, registered mail), you can check the delivery status through the post office website or the international mail tracking office in the call center.
parcel
Courier service is a service that delivers mail or products to a requested location.
4) Distance Selling
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4) Distance Selling is a form of selling and buying goods without face-to-face contact between sellers and buyers through communication methods such as the Internet, TV, and catalogs. The forms of mail order sales include Internet shopping, TV home shopping, and catalog shopping.
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Internet shopping
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Internet shopping malls sell a variety of items, including fashion clothing, food, daily necessities, home appliances, and travel-related products. Representative shopping malls include large marts, department store shopping malls, and various social commerce platforms such as Gmarket, Auction, WeMakePrice, Tmon, 11st, and Coupang. Tip. How to use Internet shopping
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Tip. How to use online shopping
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① Register as a member (enter the name exactly as it appears on your alien registration card) → ② Log in → ③ Buy now or add to cart → ④ Proceed with payment → ⑤ Select payment method (credit/check card payment, simple payment, cash payment, mobile phone payment, etc.) → ⑥ Check the shipping fee, shipping address, and payment amount, then click Payment (payment methods vary by shopping mall)
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Telecommunications and Finance
※ This content was written with reference to the publication ‘Seoul Living Guide for Foreigners, Korean Edition’ published by the Seoul Metropolitan Government.
2. Financial Services
1) Bank
Opening an account
Opening of accounts by foreigners is divided into resident foreigners and non-resident foreigners. All banking transactions must be made in person at a branch, and identification (passport, alien registration card, residence certificate, etc.) is required. Since Korea is a country with a real-name financial system (Real Name Verification Act), all financial transactions are possible only through real-name verification. When dealing with agents, supporting documents allowed for real-name financial transactions must be prepared.
remittance
According to the Foreign Exchange Transaction Regulations, overseas remittances exceeding US$5,000 per case must in principle be accompanied by documentation proving the reason for and amount of remittance to the bank. Remittances within the annual limit of US$50,000 can be made without documentation, but documents may be requested in some cases. To receive remittances from your home country, you must open an account at a domestic foreign exchange bank.
(Method of remittance: Visit the bank or use internet/mobile banking)
Currency exchange
When entering the Republic of Korea, if you wish to bring in more than USD 10,000, you must file a foreign exchange import declaration. (For amounts up to USD 10,000, no permit or declaration is required upon entry.) Currency can be exchanged at designated financial institutions such as foreign exchange banks, and there is no limit to the amount that can be exchanged at one time.
Internet banking
To use Internet banking, you must first go to the bank with your ID (alien registration card, passport, or resident registration card) and apply for Internet banking. It is recommended that you apply for Internet banking transactions at the same time when you first open an account. It is convenient to decide on the ID required for Internet banking access before visiting the bank. After you have completed the application for Internet banking at the bank, you can access the bank's homepage at home and receive a joint authentication or financial authentication certificate.
Credit card
Issuance qualifications: Each credit card company has its own issuance qualification requirements, and only foreigners who meet the requirements are issued cards. Issuance may be denied based on the results of the review, and some card companies restrict the issuance of credit cards to foreigners.
Issuance method and required documents: You can apply by visiting a nearby bank or card sales office or by accessing the relevant website. Required documents include a membership application form (including a photo), alien registration card, and, if necessary, income verification documents (employment certificate, tax invoice, etc.). The required documents may vary depending on the card company and bank.
Annual fee: This is a fee for credit card issuance and service provision, etc. It is charged annually based on the month in which the member's card is issued, and is divided into basic annual fee and affiliate annual fee. The basic annual fee is charged only once a year regardless of the number of cards held, and the affiliate annual fee is an annual fee charged to cover the cost of additional services provided for each card.