The Complete Guide to Online Payments in Korea

If you've tried shopping online or ordering food delivery in Korea, you've probably hit a wall at the identity verification or card registration step. Getting it all to work comes down to three things: a Korean phone number, a Korean card, and a simple payment app. Here's how to do it step by step.

STEP 1. Using a Korean phone number for identity verification

Many Korean platforms require phone verification when signing up or making a purchase. Guest checkout gets you part of the way on some shopping sites, but it only goes so far. Delivery apps and membership benefits still require a Korean phone number.

The number must be registered in your own name. Prepaid SIM cards from convenience stores or airports are often not registered under your name, so sign up directly with a carrier instead.

STEP 2. Setting up a payment method

Once you have a Korean phone number, the next step is setting up a payment method. Cards issued outside of Korea often fail at the identity verification stage even when the platform technically accepts them. Mobile payment apps like Toss and Kakao Pay only accept domestic cards, so the most reliable option is to get a Korean debit card linked to a Korean bank account. When you first arrive in Korea, you won't have a credit history, which makes getting a credit card difficult. Start with a debit card and work toward a credit card once you've built up some transaction history.

To apply for a Korean card, you'll need your Alien Registration Card (ARC), passport, and a Korean phone number registered in your name. Some banks require a lease agreement to confirm your address, so check the bank's website or contact customer service for the required documents before visiting.

For those who'd rather skip the branch visit altogether, online banks like Toss Bank are great options. The whole process is online, available any time. On top of that, your card works for online purchases right away, even before the physical one arrives.

STEP 3. Setting up simple payment with Toss Pay

Once your card is ready, the last step is setting it up for simple payments. Instead of entering your card number separately on every shopping site, a simple payment app lets you pay across multiple platforms with a single setup.

Toss Pay handles exactly that. Register your card or bank account once, and you're set to pay at any Toss Pay-supported merchant going forward. Any Korean bank card works, so you don't need a Toss Bank account to get started. Though if you do have a Toss Bank debit card, it links automatically with no extra steps. The app is also available in 10 languages including English, so navigating it won't be an issue even if you're not fluent in Korean yet.

✅ How to set up Toss Pay: Toss app → Tap “Add Card or Account” → Select the payment method you want to add → Follow the on-screen steps to complete setup.

Keep these three steps in mind and online shopping in Korea gets a lot more manageable, so get started with the first step: getting a Korean phone number.

Written by 유서진 Graphics by 조수희