Busan Metropolitan City’s Groundbreaking Initiative: BUSAN Pay, the First Foreigner-friendly Local Currency in Korea
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Busan Metropolitan City’s Groundbreaking Initiative: BUSAN Pay, the First Foreigner-friendly Local Currency in Korea
Busan Metropolitan City ensures one-stop travel assistance through BUSAN Pay, the country’s first foreigner-friendly local currency.
On June 20, 2024, Busan Metropolitan City proudly announced the launch of the first-ever foreigner-only local currency service in Korea, which is called ‘BUSAN Pay.’
BUSAN Pay is a comprehensive travel companion that is utilized through a mobile app and prepaid card. It is packed with unique features tailored to the needs of overseas visitors, from Dongbaekjeon payments and a cashback system to a guide for public transportation, food, tourist attractions, and the Visit Busan Pass.
Utilizing BUSAN Pay is a breeze for tourists visiting from abroad. Simply add a prepaid card to the app.
To get started, download the BUSAN Pay app from Google Play or the App Store. Prepaid cards are readily available at kiosks at Gimhae International Airport and Busan Station, as well as tourist centers in Busan.
Top up prepaid cards with foreign-issued credit cards on the app. This enables users to make Dongbaekjeon payments. Transactions are processed using a physical card or QR code. Dongbaekjeon cashback rewards are equivalent to those offered to domestic users.
To enhance the utmost convenience of inbound tourists, in addition to existing Dongbaekjeon merchants, select malls, department stores, and duty-free shops also accept BUSAN Pay; however, cashback is not credited at these locations.
The list of participating BUSAN Pay establishments can be found on the app.
The tourism feature delivers relevant information and may soon include promotional flyers and banners in different languages—English, Japanese, and Chinese—both on the app and website.
The app contains tourism content, such as popular destinations, restaurants, and fun travel tips, as well as allows foreign travelers to buy and use the Visit Busan Pass.
Additional menu information is poised to begin in the second half of the year.
Busan metro QR tickets (1-day and 3-day passes) can be purchased on the app as well.
Designated Busan Bank branches are able to issue the BUSAN Pay card, which also works as a transit card for buses and taxis.
Multilingual call centers (English, Japanese, and Chinese) and one-on-one inquiries on the app will create a seamless communication experience for users.
For further details please visit busanpay.busanbank.co.kr.
