Business · Companies · 2 hrs ago
Foreign card payments on Seoul Metro rise 13% in three months
Seoul Metro introduced foreign credit card and mobile payment services in March to make travel easier for overseas visitors.
Foreign-card payments reached 179,483 in September, 13.2% more than in June.
The total value of those payments rose 14.5% over the same period, to about 942 million won.
American Express joined the accepted cards on October 1, bringing the number of supported brands to five: Visa, Mastercard, JCB, UnionPay and Amex.
Seoul Station and Hongik University Station had the highest combined foreign-card and mobile payment amounts in both June and September.
Seoul Station's foreign-card payments rose 30.4% from June to September, while mobile payments overall fell as demand to top up 30-day Climate Companion Cards declined.
Seoul Metro says it will keep improving payment options for local passengers and foreign visitors.
Foreign card payments on the Seoul subway reached 179,483 transactions in September, up 13.2% from June.
The Seoul Metro said the value of those payments rose 14.5% over the same period, to about 942.46 million won.
Seoul Station and Hongik University Station had the highest combined foreign-card and mobile-payment totals in both June and September.
Seoul Metro added American Express on October 1, bringing the number of supported foreign card brands to five.
The service was introduced in March to meet demand, including from growing numbers of foreign tourists.
- Who
- Seoul Metro and foreign card users on the Seoul subway.
- What
- Foreign card payments reached 179,483 transactions in September, a 13.2% rise from June.
- When
- The figures were announced on October 19, 2026, and compare September with June.
- Where
- Seoul subway stations, South Korea.
- Why
- Seoul Metro introduced the service to respond to rising numbers of foreign tourists and improve payment convenience.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Seoul Metro introduced foreign credit card and mobile payment services on the subway.
Foreign card payments totaled 158,553 transactions.
Foreign card payments reached 179,483 transactions, while the combined total for foreign card and mobile payments was 253,566.
Seoul Metro added American Express as a payment option.
Seoul Metro announced the September figures.
- September foreign card transactions
- 179,483
- Increase from June
- 13.2%
- September foreign card payment value
- About 942.46 million won
- Supported foreign card brands
- Visa, Mastercard, JCB, UnionPay and American Express
- Top station by September foreign card payment value
- Seoul Station
What people are saying
Foreign credit card payments are establishing themselves as a new subway payment method
We will continue to improve the payment environment so that both citizens and foreign tourists can use it conveniently