Money & SIM
Korea looks cashless until a street stall silently declines your card, so carry ₩50,000–100,000. Most ATMs reject foreign cards outright — look for the Cirrus, Maestro or UnionPay logo, and in convenience stores only machines with a Global sticker qualify. Bank lobby ATMs run 24 hours while branch machines close around 23:30. Always refuse the "convert to USD" offer on screen; paying in won lets your own bank handle the exchange. On the way out, Korea refunds its 10% VAT to most short-term visitors, and at the airport you scan your passport at a refund kiosk before check-in — Customs inspects the goods only if the kiosk flags you.