GLN Expands QR Payment Network for International Travelers in Korea

GLN International, a subsidiary of Hana Bank, is making strides in enhancing payment convenience for international visitors in South Korea. Recently, the company announced a massive expansion of its QR payment acceptance network, which has increased from approximately 1 million to 1.5 million merchants nationwide. This growth is powered by the integration of the Seoul Pay service in collaboration with Coocon.

Expansion Details

The collaboration with Coocon has added around 500,000 Seoul Pay merchants to GLN's network. This integration allows travelers visiting Korea to utilize QR payments at a wider array of locations throughout Seoul, while also accessing existing services in prominent tourist regions like Busan and Jeju.

Seoul Pay, a QR-based payment service, was introduced with the aim of reducing payment processing costs for small businesses. By operating as an open payment platform, it enables various domestic and international payment services to function through a single standardized QR code, greatly simplifying transactions for users.

By August 3, 2026, GLN's partnership with Coocon has facilitated the scaling of QR payment capabilities, allowing travelers to make payments effortlessly through their bank or fintech applications from their home countries. This means that foreign visitors no longer need to worry about currency exchanges or carrying physical credit cards, substantially enhancing the shopping experience.

Surging Popularity of QR Payments

Recent transaction data has shown a striking increase in the use of QR payments by international travelers during the first half of 2026. Compared to the second half of the previous year, both the transaction volume and value surged by an astounding 1000%. This can be attributed to the expansion and integration efforts that commenced in the latter part of 2025, where GLN began adding QR merchants through collaborations with Hana Card as well as integrating payment terminals from Toss and Naver Pay.

As a result of this comprehensive network, tourists can now enjoy QR payments at various popular shopping areas that extend beyond traditional hotspots like Myeong-dong. Emerging commercial districts such as Seongsu are seeing a significant uptick in QR payment usage, particularly among recognized retail brands like Musinsa, Daelim Warehouse, and Ready Young Pharmacy, among others. Moreover, notable establishments frequented by international visitors—including Shinsegae Duty Free and Galleria Department Store—are experiencing this increased payment activity.

As the demand for beauty and medical tourism in Korea continues to rise, the usage of QR payments is rapidly growing at dermatological clinics and plastic surgery centers across the regions of Busan and Jeju. This adaptability in payment options aligns with trends seen in international spending habits, further fostering economic growth in these sectors.

Future Plans for Expansion

Currently, GLN offers QR payment services to visitors from Taiwan, with plans to extend these services to travelers from the United States, Canada, Singapore, Vietnam, and Mongolia later this year. The company envisions expanding its operations to over 10 countries by 2027 while also enhancing its network of QR merchants in key tourist destinations such as Busan and Jeju. The goal is to streamline the payment experience for international travelers across Korea, ensuring that their interactions with local businesses are seamless and enjoyable.

CEO Lee Suk stated, "We aim to continually increase our merchant networks for QR payments to provide an easy and straightforward payment experience for international travelers, while also contributing to the growth of local businesses and the tourism sector in Korea." Furthermore, GLN is committed to offering Korean travelers abroad access to QR payment and withdrawal services in 15 countries, including Vietnam, China, and Japan, reinforcing its status as a leading cross-border QR payment platform in Asia. With a robust network of over 230 million QR payment points globally, GLN is poised to strengthen its position in this competitive financial landscape.