Danal will expand payment infrastructure linking K-pop experiences, auditions, lodging and broader cultural activities based on its foreigners-only prepaid card K.ONDA.

Danal said on May 19 it signed a strategic partnership with World K-Pop Center and will move to build an integrated payment ecosystem that connects K-pop experiences with training, auditions and cultural activities.

World K-Pop Center is a K-pop specialist institution that runs K-pop experience programmes for foreign tourists, professional training for foreign artists and support for global auditions.

Danal plans to supply the foreigners-only prepaid card K.ONDA to foreign tourists visiting the center and to related lodging facilities, overseas broadcasters and education institutions.

The cooperation was arranged to ease payment inconvenience for foreign tourists who do not have South Korean bank accounts. K.ONDA can be topped up easily through an app and kiosks. It supports online shopping, delivery app orders, a transport card function, ATM withdrawals and more.

Danal plans to install dedicated kiosks at World K-Pop Center and other major tourist routes so foreigners can receive cards on the spot and use services immediately.

From the second half of the year, it also plans to offer pre-booked customers services to purchase and collect USIM and eSIM package products at roaming centres at South Korean airports.

A Danal official said, "Through cooperation with World K-Pop Center, we will provide visiting tourists with an innovative payment experience and contribute to revitalising South Korea's tourism industry."