South Korea\'s parliamentary audit raised concerns that funds are increasingly concentrating in banks while savings banks and mutual finance institutions shrink. Lawmakers also questioned the legal basis and procedures for the financial authorities\' household loan volume controls, calling them de facto mandatory rules. Separate inquiries focused on payment inconveniences for foreign tourists, Apple Pay fees and infrastructure costs, and limits on using iPhone NFC for local simple payment services. Authorities said they would review improvements.

Viva Republica, operator of South Korean fintech app Toss, has introduced a service designed to prevent minors from sending money to accounts suspected of illegal gambling. The service displays warning screens when a minor attempts a transfer and, for users under 14, notifies a pre-approved legal guardian of the attempted transaction. Toss said a two-month pre-verification in July and August identified about 400 high-risk accounts, all confirmed as gambling-related.