Korail Distribution to Expand QR Easy Payment for Foreign Tourists in the Second Half of the Year

KORAIL Distribution announced on the 16th that it will expand overseas payment options to make it more convenient for foreign tourists to use commercial facilities at railway stations.

Kim Young-tae, CEO of Korail Distribution (left), and Lee Sung-jin, Chairman of QR Bank, are posing for a commemorative photo after signing a business agreement at the Korail Distribution headquarters in Dangsan-dong, Seoul on the 15th. / Photo by Korail Distribution

On the 15th, KORAIL Distribution signed a business agreement with QR Bank at its headquarters in Dangsan-dong, Seoul, to discuss cooperation plans for expanding payment methods at railway station commercial facilities. QR Bank is conducting a project that allows foreigners to make payments using the same methods they use in their home countries by linking with overseas simple payment providers.

Taking this agreement as an opportunity, KORAIL Distribution plans to introduce QR simple payment services and expand them in the second half of this year. By using QR simple payment, travelers can make payments as easily as at local convenience stores while traveling abroad. KORAIL Distribution expects this to make it easier for foreign tourists from China and Southeast Asian countries visiting Korea to use railway mobility services. The usage rate of railway station stores by the estimated 20 million foreign visitors to Korea this year is also expected to increase.

KORAIL Distribution also plans to significantly increase the number of overseas payment options that support QR payments. They will first introduce 102 overseas payment methods based on UnionPay, followed by sequential launches of QR payment services for WeChat Pay and Alipay.

Yoo Won-jong, Head of Distribution Business Division at KORAIL Distribution, said, "Our goal is to ensure that anyone visiting railway stations, regardless of nationality, can conveniently use and be satisfied with the stores," adding, "We will expand global payment options and increase simple payment promotions."