South Korean credit card trends show record non-resident spending

Analysis of South Korean credit card trends for 2026 shows varying results in brand reputation and spending patterns. According to the Korea Institute of Corporate Reputation, Hyundai Card ranked first in brand reputation for September 2026, followed by KB Kookmin Card in second and Samsung Card in third.

Regarding transaction data, the Bank of Korea reported that residents' overseas credit and check card usage fell to $5.85 billion in the second quarter of 2026, a 4.2% decrease from the previous quarter. This decline is attributed to a reduction in outbound travelers, which dropped by 20.4% compared to the first quarter. However, online direct overseas purchases rose to $1.41 billion.

In contrast, spending by non-residents using cards within South Korea reached a record high of $4.86 billion in the second quarter of 2026, marking a 36.1% increase from the previous quarter and a 28.2% increase compared to the same period last year.