New “Global Home” interface tackles language barriers and simplifies financial access for 740,000 foreign users
Kakao Pay has introduced a new feature called “Global Home” aimed at making mobile payments and financial services more accessible for foreigners living in South Korea. The redesigned home screen streamlines everyday tasks—such as sending money, topping up transportation cards, or making digital payments—so users no longer have to navigate complex menus or rely solely on Korean-language labels.
The company said the new interface directly addresses long-standing challenges faced by foreign residents, offering clearer navigation, simplified feature descriptions and multilingual support. With around 740,000 foreign users—nearly one-third of Korea’s 2.65 million foreign residents—Kakao Pay said the upgrade is a key step toward improving financial inclusion. “We developed Global Home so foreigners can enjoy a convenient and safe financial life in Korea without language barriers,” a Kakao Pay official said.
A Growing User Base Driving New Priorities
Foreign residents in Korea now make up a substantial and increasingly diverse segment of the population. Many rely on mobile platforms for everyday payments, yet often struggle with apps designed primarily for Korean-speaking users. Kakao Pay said this made accessibility improvements both timely and necessary as digital finance continues to expand across the country.
The company noted that foreign users are active across a wide range of services—from remittances to transportation payments—making it essential to adjust the interface to match real usage patterns and reduce points of friction.
Redesigned for Clearer, Faster Navigation
A core change in Global Home is its reorganization of essential features. Kakao Pay moved the most frequently used functions to the top of the screen, giving international users immediate access to:
- Remittances
- Digital payments
- Kakao Pay card creation
- Transportation card top-ups
This simplified layout eliminates many of the navigation issues previously reported by non-Korean speakers and reduces the number of steps needed to complete basic financial tasks.
More Intuitive Terminology for Foreign Users
Kakao Pay also revised several feature names to make the interface more intuitive in English. Terms that confused international users were rewritten using clearer wording. For example:
- “K-Pass” → “Charge Transportation Card”
- “Credit Management” → “Credit Score”
These changes are designed to help users immediately understand a feature’s purpose without relying on translation apps or trial-and-error.
Removing Services Not Available to Foreigners
Another key update is the removal of services foreign residents cannot access due to regulatory restrictions. Securities account openings and certain insurance products have been taken out of the Global Home interface entirely.
Kakao Pay said this decision helps reduce unnecessary clutter and ensures foreign users see only the services they can actually use—making the app more practical and less confusing.
Practical Local Information Added
Beyond payments, Global Home now includes tailored information for daily life in Korea. The platform provides:
- Instructions on issuing mobile ID cards
- Details on eligibility for government subsidy programs
- A “Good Deal Benefits” section showcasing discounts and promotions in multiple languages
These additions reflect Kakao Pay’s aim to become not just a payment tool but a practical financial companion for foreign residents.
Multilingual Support Expands Accessibility
Recognizing the diversity of Korea’s international community, Kakao Pay launched Global Home in English, Chinese and Vietnamese, with plans to expand to more languages over time. These three languages represent some of the largest foreign groups in the country, making the feature immediately useful for a broad user base.
The multilingual rollout also signals Kakao Pay’s intention to position itself as a more inclusive platform aligned with Korea’s shifting demographic trends.
Toward a More Inclusive Financial Ecosystem
Kakao Pay said the launch is part of a wider strategy to enhance financial access for everyone, regardless of language ability or residency status. By simplifying navigation, improving translations and removing barriers to essential financial tools, the company aims to support long-term residents, migrant workers, students and newcomers alike.
“We will continue introducing services that improve convenience for foreign users,” the company said, adding that more features tailored to international customers are already in development.
