Money, Banking & Useful Apps in Korea

You need a Korean bank account to pay rent, utilities, and receive your salary. The process has become easier in recent years.

What you need: • Passport • ARC (Alien Registration Card) • Phone number registered in Korea • Sometimes: proof of employment or enrollment

Recommended banks for foreigners: KEB Hana Bank (하나은행) and Woori Bank (우리은행) are known for English-friendly service. IBK Industrial Bank (IBK기업은행) is popular with factory and construction workers.

Most banks have English-speaking staff at main branches. Bring all your documents and expect the process to take 30–60 minutes.

Korea has some of the fastest internet in the world. The three main providers are KT (KT 기가인터넷), SK Broadband (SK 브로드밴드), and LG U+.

How to sign up: • Visit a provider store with your ARC and bank account details • Choose a plan — 500Mbps plans start around 20,000–30,000 KRW/month • Installation is usually within 2–3 days and is free • Contract is typically 1–2 years; early termination incurs a penalty

Tip: If you live in an officetel or sharehouse, internet may already be included in the maintenance fee. Ask before signing up separately.

These apps will make daily life in Korea significantly easier:

🗺️ Naver Maps (네이버 지도) — Far more accurate than Google Maps for Korea. Shows real-time bus and subway routes, walking directions, and even building floor plans.

🚇 Kakao Metro (카카오 지하철) — The best app for navigating the subway. Real-time arrival times, transfer guidance, and exit directions.

🛵 Baemin (배달의민족) / Coupang Eats — Food delivery apps. Baemin has an English version available.

💬 KakaoTalk (카카오톡) — Korea's dominant messaging app. Almost everyone uses it, and many services (banks, delivery) are integrated into it.

🏥 1339 / 응급의료정보제공 — Emergency medical information app. Finds nearest hospitals and pharmacies open right now.

🚌 Kakao Bus (카카오버스) — Real-time bus tracking for every route across Korea.

If you need to send money home, avoid airport exchange booths. Better options:

• Wise (wise.com) — Low fees, great exchange rates, works with Korean bank accounts • KakaoPay or Toss — Domestic transfers are free and instant • Bank wire transfer — Available at all major banks; fees typically 5,000–10,000 KRW plus exchange rate markup

For receiving money from abroad, share your Korean IBAN (국제 계좌번호) with the sender. Most Korean banks issue these on request.