Convenience store chain CU to add 9 international payment methods

CU Convenience store / Courtesy of CU

CU, Korea's second-largest convenience store chain by revenue, said Tuesday it will add nine payment options, mostly from Southeast Asian countries, in its latest move to boost convenience for foreign tourists.

The new payment options, which are set to begin next month, include Hong Kong's AlipayHK, the Philippines' GCash, Malaysia's Touch'n Go, Indonesia's digital wallet Dana and Thailand's TrueMoney.

Currently, CU accepts three international payment options ― China's Alipay, Wechat Pay and UnionPay.

The expansion in payment options comes as Korea expects a rise in foreign tourists as the country is gradually moving toward pre-pandemic normalcy.

CU said its stores are seeing the number of foreign customers gradually recover to pre-pandemic levels, with total transactions made on international payment services at its stores rising 13.1 percent year-on-year in the January to March period.

In early May, Korea lifted the outdoor mask mandate, except for at large gatherings of 50 people or more, as it is moving to return to normalcy.

Starting in June, inbound travelers will only have to undergo one PCR test within three days of arrival. Currently, they must take a PCR test within 24 hours of entry, as well as a rapid antigen test on the sixth or seventh day. (Yonhap)