South Korea, known for its advancements in science and technology, seems like a place anyone could easily adapt to, but there is a catch. To access most of the country’s service systems, individuals need what some refer to as the Korean trilogy — the Korean language, a Korean phone number, and a Korean bank account. Without these, one might feel as though a delicious, comforting meal is being served, but they are not even given a chance to take even a single bite. Why is that so?
Although there is a high level of English proficiency in the country, many Korean applications and websites do not support an English version. Even worse, some do not even allow external translators to work on them. As such, a process as easy as conducting online bank transactions, browsing on the country’s biggest search engine, or texting on the most widely used messaging app requires a certain knowledge level of Korean. Beyond this, some platforms do not offer customer centers for users who, unaware of what they click on, might end up signing up for something by mistake. Korea’s leading e-commerce platform and some of its most used taxi booking services provide an English version. However, they have other obstacles, specifically in their identity verification and payment methods. To use these services, one must prove their identity by providing a Korean phone number and pay using a Korean bank account. These procedures may be in place for security reasons, but how could a casual tourist visiting the country for just a few days or a young student starting to settle in fulfill such requirements? Indeed, it is almost impossible to get all that is needed in a short time, so there ought to be another way to be able to use such essential services.
Experienced foreigners living in the country suggest that other languages apart from Korean must be supported on the most popular platforms, as well as in their customer centers. Such a system, even if available for only a few hours, would be of great help to many. In addition, alternative verification methods using passports or email addresses could also be implemented. Last but not least, Korean platforms should consider expanding payment options, including cards issued overseas. For instance, Japan was previously in a similar situation to South Korea, but it has recently started implementing policies that improve the accessibility of digital services for foreigners. The country has ensured that banking platforms and government websites provide support services in English. Their digital payment options have also evolved, now accepting widely used international payment methods such as Apple Pay and Google Pay. In a world where globalization is at its highest, for a nation as developed as Korea, slight changes will not only improve accessibility for foreigners but also enhance the country’s reputation as a big player in the international community.