Naver Pay's overseas QR payments soar amid travel boom
The transaction volume for its overseas QR payment service surged by 70.7 percent in the first quarter compared to the previous quarter, the platform operator said.
The spike is largely driven by a sharp increase in Korean tourists using the service in Japan, China and Thailand, the operator added.
The number of new overseas users rose by 67 percent on-quarter, signaling a shift in consumer behavior as contactless payments become a norm among young travelers.
Naver Pay's integration with PayPay, Japan's leading QR payment network, expanded the number of affiliated merchants by nearly 3 million, significantly boosting usage.
Popular retail chains like Don Quijote and Sugi Pharmacy saw sustained increases in Naver Pay transactions.
In China, Naver Pay remains the only Korean mobile wallet partnered with all three major local platforms — WeChat Pay, UnionPay and Alipay Plus — enabling seamless usage across most of the mainland.
In May alone, transaction volume in China rose 40 percent compared to April.
Notably, the number of users in their 20s more than doubled, with high activity concentrated in youth-frequented destinations such as Shanghai Disneyland, Darunfa Mart and Sunrise Duty-Free.
Thailand also showed a strong performance, with QR payment volumes increasing 26 percent in May from April, especially in major tourist hotspots.
Currently, Naver Pay supports QR payment in 65 countries and regions, the most extensive overseas coverage among all Korean digital payment platforms.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Korea Herald
2 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Summer travel alert: How to stay safe from measles while abroad
As international travel surges this summer, so does the risk of measles infection. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), 65 measles cases have been reported domestically as of July 5, a 40 percent increase from last year. A striking 70.8 percent of these cases were imported from overseas, most commonly from Vietnam, followed by Thailand, Italy, Uzbekistan and Mongolia. Another 19 cases were linked to domestic transmission from imported infections. Measles, an extremely contagious virus, is spreading rapidly again in parts of Southeast Asia, where many Korean travelers vacation. Countries like Cambodia, the Philippines, Laos and Vietnam have seen steep rises in measles cases. The KDCA warns that with global vaccination rates declining post-COVID, even brief visits to outbreak regions could expose unvaccinated travelers to the virus. What is measles? Measles is an airborne respiratory disease caused by the measles morbillivirus. It spreads easily through coughing, sneezing, or even breathing the same air as an infected person. It is remarkably contagious. Over 90 percent of susceptible individuals will contract the virus if exposed. Symptoms appear after an incubation period of 7-21 days (but typically 10–12) and begin with fever, cough, runny nose and conjunctivitis. A few days later, a distinctive red rash spreads from the face to the rest of the body, often accompanied by small white spots inside the mouth. Severe cases may develop complications like pneumonia, diarrhea, middle ear infection, and in rare instances, encephalitis or subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. Global measles outbreaks rising According to recent data from the World Health Organization, measles continues to pose a serious global health threat, with approximately 360,000 cases reported worldwide in 2024. The disease remains prevalent not only in regions such as Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, but also in Southeast Asia, a popular destination for Korean travelers. In 2025, several countries in the Western Pacific region reported notably high measles incidence rates. Mongolia recorded 377 cases, translating to 257.5 cases per million people, while Cambodia reported 1,097 cases, Laos with 288 cases and, Malaysia with 336 cases. This resurgence is partly attributed to declining global vaccination coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving gaps in herd immunity. As international travel rebounds, unvaccinated or under-vaccinated individuals are more likely to encounter the virus and risk bringing it back home, potentially sparking secondary outbreaks. Who is most at risk? Among the 65 domestic cases this year, 76.9 percent were adults, and 55.4 percent had either not been vaccinated or were unsure of their vaccination history. Infants under 12 months, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals are especially vulnerable to severe outcomes and should avoid travel to outbreak-prone regions when possible. How to prevent it? Measles is preventable with two doses of the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, and rubella), typically administered at 12–15 months and again at 4–6 years of age. For travelers under 12 months visiting high-risk areas, the KDCA recommends accelerated vaccination between 6–11 months. Children and adults with incomplete or uncertain vaccination records should get vaccinated at least two weeks before departure. Travelers can also practice good hygiene, including frequent handwashing and mask-wearing in crowded settings. If fever, rash or respiratory symptoms appear within three weeks of returning from overseas, seek medical care immediately and inform your provider of your travel history. Medical institutions are advised to report any suspected cases to local public health centers to prevent further spread. "Please make sure your measles immunizations are up to date before you go abroad," said KDCA Commissioner Jee Young-mi. "And if you suspect any symptoms after travel, protect others by visiting a medical facility promptly with a mask on." jychoi@
Korea Herald
3 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Korea pitches multibillion-dollar shipbuilding plan to US: reports
Seoul says MASGA details unconfirmed as talks with Washington continue Korea has proposed a multibillion-dollar project reportedly named Make American Shipbuilding Great Again, or MASGA, to the United States as Seoul makes an all-out effort to cut a better tariff deal with Washington ahead of the US-set deadline for tariff talks on Thursday, according to media reports on Monday. Citing multiple unnamed sources, the reports said Kim Jung-kwan, Korea's minister of trade, industry and energy, presented the MASGA project and Korea's vision for shipbuilding cooperation with the US during ministerial-level talks with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in New York on Friday. According to the reports, the MASGA proposal, named after US President Donald Trump's campaign slogan "Make America Great Again," offers a comprehensive package deal that includes large-scale investments in the US by Korean shipbuilders and financial support measures from the government such as loans and guarantees. The reports said the Korean government is considering participation in the MASGA project by state-run financial institutions such as the Export-Import Bank of Korea and the Korea Trade Insurance Corporation. They added that Lutnick, who is considered a key figure in finalizing the US tariff deal with Korea, responded positively to the proposal. However, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy later said in a press release that the reported details of the MASGA proposal have not been confirmed as the negotiations are still ongoing, advising media outlets to take a careful approach when reporting on the trade talks between Seoul and Washington. In a press release on Saturday following the ministerial-level trade talks, Seoul's presidential office said it had reconfirmed strong US interest in shipbuilding cooperation, explaining that the two sides committed to working together on an agreement in the tariff negotiations. Korea's shipbuilding sector has been regarded as the country's unique leverage in the tariff talks with the US as its world-class capabilities can contribute to the Trump administration's goal of reviving American shipbuilding. Two of Korea's leading shipbuilding conglomerates -- HD Hyundai and Hanwha Group -- have already been ramping up their investments in the US and bolstering partnerships with American companies in the shipbuilding sector. HD Hyundai joined hands with US shipyard operator Edison Chouest Offshore to build medium-sized container vessels at the American company's shipyard by 2028. Hanwha Philly Shipyard, which was acquired by Hanwha Ocean and Hanwha System for $100 million last year, secured a contract to build a liquefied natural gas carrier, marking the first US-ordered, export-market-viable LNG carrier in nearly 50 years.
Korea Herald
3 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Pernod Ricard Korea names company veteran as new CEO
Pernod Ricard Korea, the local unit of the French spirits giant, announced Monday the appointment of Fadil Tasgin as its new CEO, bringing on a company veteran who most recently oversaw key growth markets in Asia. With over three decades of experience in the consumer goods and beverage industries, Tasgin pledged to enhance brand experiences and strengthen Pernod Ricard Korea's market position, while maintaining a strong focus on consumer-centric marketing. 'I am well aware of the Korean market's tremendous potential, as well as the high expectations of its consumers,' Tasgin said. 'With a strong portfolio of premium and prestige brands, we look to drive long-term growth by meeting evolving consumer preferences." Since joining Pernod Ricard in 2012 as head of sales in Turkey, Tasgin has taken on a series of international leadership roles. These include CEO of Pernod Ricard Austria in 2019, CEO of Pernod Ricard Philippines in 2021, and, most recently, CEO overseeing both the Philippines and Indonesia. In his new role, effective this September, Tasgin will relocate to Seoul and oversee both internal and external operations for the Korean unit. Tasgin began his career at Unilever, where he held several senior roles in Turkey. He later joined Danone, spending eight years leading national sales operations, trade marketing and business development.
