Truly All about Korea

Everything you need to know about using Apple Pay in South Korea — from where it’s accepted and how to set up T-money transit, to why NFC coverage is still limited and how expats can get a Korean card. Updated April 2026. Introduction: Does Apple Pay Actually Work in Korea? If you’re heading to South Korea — or already living here — with an iPhone in your pocket, you’ve probably asked yourself one very practical question: “Can I just tap and pay like I do back home?” The short answer is: yes, but with important caveats. Apple Pay does work in Korea, and the situation has improved dramatically since 2023 when it was first officially launched, but the coverage is still far more limited than in the US, UK, Australia, or Japan. NFC-enabled terminals cover only around 10% of Korean merchants as of 2026, compared to over 90% in Singapore or the UK. (Source: Korea Times, “Two years in, Apple Pay struggles to gain foothold in Korea,” March 2025 / PCMI South Korea Payments & Ecommerce...

E-Commerce Asia Business April 18, 2026 💡 South Korea is one of the world's most advanced digital markets — yet Amazon has never set foot in it. Here's the full, untold story behind that strategic absence. 📋 Table of Contents South Korea's E-Commerce Market at a Glance Who Dominates Korean Online Shopping? Reason 1 – An Entrenched Local Giant: Coupang Reason 2 – Delivery Expectations That Are Hard to Beat Reason 3 – A Fortress of Local Super-Apps Reason 4 – The Localization Trap Reason 5 – Regulatory and Legal Complexity Reason 6 – Amazon's Own Global Strategy Failures Foreign Companies That Already Failed in South Korea Will Amazon Ever Enter South Korea? Conclusion If you've ever tried to order something from Amazon while living in South Korea, you know the experience: limited selection, international shipping fees, customs delays, and no Prime benefits. For a country that...

Planning to rent a car in South Korea? This complete guide covers everything foreigners need to know — required documents, top booking sites, insurance, accident procedures, rental prices, and English-speaking services. Introduction South Korea is one of Asia’s most rewarding destinations to explore by car. From the dramatic volcanic landscapes of Jeju Island to the winding mountain roads of Gangwon Province and the historic temples of Gyeongju, there are countless destinations that are simply best experienced at your own pace, behind the wheel. Public transportation is excellent in major cities like Seoul and Busan, but once you venture beyond the subway lines, having a rental car transforms your trip entirely. Fortunately, renting a car in South Korea as a foreigner is entirely achievable — as long as you know the rules. This guide walks you through everything you need: where to book, what documents to bring, how insurance works, what to do if something goes wrong, how much you s...