Discriminatory Practices of Korean Websites

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If you’re not a Korean citizen you can't order movie tickets online from most theatre chains in Korea, nor can you buy anything from most e-markets or get seats at the majority of small or big ticket performances. You can’t make airline reservations or even access some information sites or service programs, including those targeting foreign residents and/or visitors. Why? Because to do so you have to have a Korean ID number – not a number issued in Korea, but rather one that proves that you are a Korean citizen.

In a country that proudly proclaims itself to be the most wired in the world, it is not surprising to find that most people reserve their seats at movie theatres or performance halls, in advance, via the Internet. Grocery and every other kind of shopping on-line is common in Korea – prices are often lower, the goods are delivered and you don’t have to deal with the traffic on the way to the ‘store’ or even the occasional crowds within…plus, you can shop on your time schedule. But even if language isn’t an issue (the majority of sites are in Korean only), only Korean citizens can take advantage of these services.

Why do online services such as Internet shopping malls, some on-line banking services and even most information sites require visitors to register both their names and ID numbers in order to access the site or to use the its services? Allegedly, it’s to prevent identify theft. However, some wonder if this overuse of ID numbers has not, in fact, had the opposite effect, especially as one’s ID number and credit card are used together for so many on-line transactions. In fact, in 2009 and already in 2010,  the media has reported on hackers 'stealing' ID information on millions of customers of various websites. Many suspect, that the true motive behind the practice is more in line with 'Big-brother-style' marketing tools.

Even if one were to agree that this practice is helpful in combating ID theft, it doesn’t explain why the system is limited to Korean ID numbers only. About a decade ago, the government changed the ‘alien registration card’ number to a 13-digit one to make it compatible with the Korean ID number. What they didn’t think to change, however, was the configuration of the numbers. For example the ‘gender’ designation on a Korean citizen’s number is 1 for males and 2 for females, while a foreign resident’s number shows 5 for males and 6 for females.

Back in November 2008, the local newspapers reported that the National Human Rights Commission had recommended that website operators simplify their identification procedures for foreigners and urged the four identification service agencies (Korea Association of Information and Telecommunication, National Information and Credit Evaluation Inc., Seoul Credit Rating and Information Inc., and Korea Information Service Inc.) to develop measures to enable them to do so. (According to the Korean Information Protection Law, private firms with more than 100,000 on-line visitors a day and government-run agencies are required to check the identification of their users to protect them from identity theft).

Korean ID numbers are still required on most websites, even for services targeting foreign residents and visitors. A few sites do, however, now accept foreign ID numbers or have eliminated the requirement. For example CGV now has foreign membership, while Interlink has set up a global section where both foreign residents and visitors can order tickets to some events. (K4E note: if you know of other sites that either accept foreign ID numbers or don't require any ID number, please let us know either in the comments section below or by writing us at info@korea4expats.com).

12 comments | Add your comment

Curious, 2010-03-27 19:42:50

Ever since I tried to buy something online for the first time in Korea I have wondered why Korean companies are uninterested in expats' money. There must around one million expats in Korea, the vast majority of whom have a good job and desire to spend their earnings in a convenient fashion. So, never mind the identity theft claims (that apply equally regardless of one's passport), it is curious that companies (allegedly interested in profits) would neglect such a great section of their potential customers.

All in all, though, it all falls under the wider rubric of Korea, the land of contradictions, where one simply just has to "accept the mystery" as a recent movie dialog put it.

Olka, 2010-03-29 16:36:10

I've just bought tickets for Tom Jones' concert on www.yes24.com website using my alien's card. Moreover, I found out about the coming concert through your website where you said that only Koreans can have 20% discount. In fact I also got the discount. So you can add this website to your foreigner-friendly web list )

Korea4Expats, 2010-03-31 07:06:03

Thank you Olka for the feedback on yes24.com. We have updated the announcement accordingly. Hope you have a great evening.

msn, 2010-04-01 21:29:42

www.gmarket.co.kr allows users to register with an alien registration card (in fact, you don't even need an alien registration card) and they do have a "limited" English section. You can pay with PayPal, foreign credit card, Korean credit card (provided you have an alien reg. no.) or bank transfer. I've registered no problem, but have never bought anything from the site, so can't vouch for how easy/difficult it is.

korea2001, 2010-04-01 22:53:44

I think people have to take into account that Korea is still a developing country. In light of it's less than 60 years history (vs. USA's almost 250 years), it has come a long way. It is not that simple to have a whole website and all the inner workings of security check, order processing, etc. developed in English. There are language limitations in every country around the world, not just Korea. We just need to accept, as foreigners, we have some disadvantages but there are also many advantages, that we sometimes take for granted. My motto, love the place or leave it.

Ladyexpat, 2010-04-02 10:12:22

I recently bought train tickets on-line here http://www.korail.com/en/rv/pr21100/w_pr21110.jsp.

It's important to remember that most Korean sites only support Internet Explorer.

You can buy tickets using a Korean issued credit care with your ARC, or with a foreign credit card (no ARC).

I initially tried purchasing with my K card ARC and could not get it to work. When I used my foreign card I didn't have a problem.

It's nice to be able to buy train tickets online.

korea2001: I think most people understand and accept the language limitations. What the issue is here is that foreigners often cannot use Korean websites for purchases because their Korean id's are not accepted. Firstly, that's discrimination, and secondly, it is something that can easily be changed.

Frank S., 2010-04-02 12:06:02

I'm one of the tens of thousands of Americans in South Korea's U.S. State Department and Department of Defense community. Some of us (contractors and federal civilians) have been living here for decades. Despite being long term legal residents, we are unable to get Korean ID numbers of any kind. We have our passports, SOFA status and visas, but no alien registration number. It would be nice to be able to go online or pick up the phone and be alble reserve a concert or movie ticket. Since we don't have an alien registration number or any type of Korean this is a non-starter. With the recent change in U.S. military family tour lenghts, there will be many more U.S. military families in Korea on three year or longer tours. It would be nice if the Korean government would make some provision for these families so they can have some kind of Korean ID number and be able to get Korean credit cards, discount cards, and make online or phone reservations. The way it is now, it's inconvenient, but I still love living here.

Jingoist, 2010-04-05 14:43:29

Korea2001 "My motto, love the place or leave it."

Nice way of putting down what part of the problem between Koreans and foreigners. Love it or leave it.

Korea has the fastest internet in the world and html, php and other web languages are based in English. Putting sites into English for foreign money should rank high up on the scale of good business practices. Although the ad campaign that reads "2010-2012 Visit Korea Year", is rock solid proof that English isn't spoken here.

Ladyexpat, 2010-04-12 07:52:14

An update on buying train tickets. Korea Rail will not accept an Alien Registration number. If you want to buy your tickets on line you will need to use a foreign credit card. Also remember that it is necessary to use IE.

Korea rail really needs to get its act together and change this. I would much rather purchase with my Korean credit card.

Andrew, 2010-04-17 23:08:15

I have used GMarket and once you've registered a card with them it's easy enough to shop.

VMG, 2010-12-06 15:22:42

I'm trying to register for a "Membership for Foreigners" on the CGV movie Web site but even after I've entered the info they request (name

Tom, 2011-05-25 00:23:59

I bought KTX tickets online using my local Korean bank debit card at the start of this month on the English language Korail site. It all worked very well.

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