
How to Open a Bank Account Online in Korean
Opening a bank account in Korea often requires specific procedures, and doing it online (non-face-to-face) has become increasingly common. This guide provides the essential Korean vocabulary and phrases needed to navigate the process of 비대면 계좌 개설 (bi-dae-myeon gye-jwa gae-seol), or opening a non-face-to-face bank account, typically through a bank’s mobile app or website.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 비대면 계좌 개설하기
Pronunciation: bi-dae-myeon gye-jwa gae-seol-ha-gi
Meaning: Opening a non-face-to-face bank account (online account opening)
Essential Vocabulary
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Expression: 비대면
Pronunciation: bi-dae-myeon
Meaning: Non-face-to-face, remote, online -
Expression: 계좌
Pronunciation: gye-jwa
Meaning: Bank account -
Expression: 개설
Pronunciation: gae-seol
Meaning: Opening, establishment -
Expression: 신청
Pronunciation: sin-cheong
Meaning: Application -
Expression: 신분증
Pronunciation: sin-bun-jjeung
Meaning: Identification card (ID card) -
Expression: 외국인등록증
Pronunciation: oe-gu-gin-deung-nok-jjeung
Meaning: Alien Registration Card (ARC) -
Expression: 본인 인증
Pronunciation: bo-nin in-jeung
Meaning: Identity verification -
Expression: 휴대폰 인증
Pronunciation: hyu-dae-pon in-jeung
Meaning: Mobile phone verification -
Expression: 은행 앱
Pronunciation: eun-haeng aep
Meaning: Bank app -
Expression: 인터넷뱅킹
Pronunciation: in-teo-net-baeng-king
Meaning: Internet banking -
Expression: 공인인증서 / 공동인증서
Pronunciation: gong-in-in-jeung-seo / gong-dong-in-jeung-seo
Meaning: Digital certificate (previously public, now joint certificate) -
Expression: OTP (일회용 비밀번호)
Pronunciation: o-ti-pi (il-hoe-yong bi-mil-beon-ho)
Meaning: OTP (One-Time Password)
Key Phrases for Online Account Opening
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Expression: 비대면으로 계좌를 개설하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: bi-dae-myeo-neu-ro gye-jwa-reul gae-seol-ha-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to open an account online (non-face-to-face). -
Expression: 계좌 개설 신청은 어떻게 하나요?
Pronunciation: gye-jwa gae-seol sin-cheong-eun eo-tteo-ke ha-na-yo?
Meaning: How do I apply to open an account? -
Expression: 은행 앱을 다운로드해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: eun-haeng ae-beul da-un-ro-deu-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to download the bank app? -
Expression: 신분증 촬영을 해야 합니다.
Pronunciation: sin-bun-jjeung chwal-yeong-eul hae-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: You need to take a photo of your ID card. -
Expression: 본인 인증 절차를 진행해 주세요.
Pronunciation: bo-nin in-jeung jeol-cha-reul jin-haeng-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please proceed with the identity verification process. -
Expression: 휴대폰으로 인증번호가 발송됩니다.
Pronunciation: hyu-dae-po-neu-ro in-jeung-beon-ho-ga bal-song-doem-ni-da.
Meaning: A verification code will be sent to your mobile phone. -
Expression: 다른 은행 계좌로 1원을 보내 인증합니다.
Pronunciation: da-reun eun-haeng gye-jwa-ro i-reo-neul bo-nae in-jeung-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: We verify by sending 1 won to another bank account you own. -
Expression: 영상 통화 인증이 필요할 수 있습니다.
Pronunciation: yeong-sang tong-hwa in-jeung-i pi-ryo-hal su it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Video call verification might be necessary. -
Expression: 약관에 동의해 주세요.
Pronunciation: yak-gwa-ne dong-ui-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please agree to the terms and conditions. -
Expression: 비밀번호를 설정해 주세요.
Pronunciation: bi-mil-beon-ho-reul seol-jeong-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please set up your password. -
Expression: 계좌 개설이 완료되었습니다.
Pronunciation: gye-jwa gae-seo-ri wan-ryo-doe-eot-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: The account opening is complete.
Asking for Help
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Expression: 이 단계에서 오류가 발생했어요.
Pronunciation: i dan-gye-e-seo o-ryu-ga bal-saeng-hae-sseo-yo.
Meaning: An error occurred at this step. -
Expression: 앱 사용법을 잘 모르겠어요.
Pronunciation: aep sa-yong-beo-beul jal mo-reu-ge-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I’m not sure how to use the app. -
Expression: 신분증 인식이 잘 안 돼요.
Pronunciation: sin-bun-jjeung in-si-gi jal an dwae-yo.
Meaning: The ID card recognition isn’t working well. -
Expression: 인증번호를 받지 못했어요.
Pronunciation: in-jeung-beon-ho-reul bat-ji mo-tae-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I haven’t received the verification code. -
Expression: 다음 단계는 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: da-eum dan-gye-neun mu-eo-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is the next step? -
Expression: 고객센터에 어떻게 연락하나요?
Pronunciation: go-gaek-sen-teo-e eo-tteo-ke yeol-la-ka-na-yo?
Meaning: How can I contact customer service? -
Expression: 외국인도 비대면 계좌 개설이 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: oe-gu-gin-do bi-dae-myeon gye-jwa gae-seo-ri ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it possible for foreigners to open an account online? -
Expression: 필요한 서류가 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: pi-ryo-han seo-ryu-ga mu-eo-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: What documents are required? -
Expression: 이 부분을 다시 설명해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: i bu-bu-neul da-si seol-myeong-hae ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could you explain this part again? -
Expression: 신청하는 데 시간이 얼마나 걸리나요?
Pronunciation: sin-cheong-ha-neun de si-ga-ni eol-ma-na geol-li-na-yo?
Meaning: How long does the application take?
Korean Culture Notes
Prevalence of Online Banking: Korea is highly technologically advanced, and most banking services, including account opening, are readily available online or via mobile apps. Banks heavily promote their digital platforms.
Identification is Key: Strict identity verification is standard. For foreigners, the Alien Registration Card (외국인등록증, oe-gu-gin-deung-nok-jjeung) is usually required. Ensure your ARC details are up-to-date.
Multiple Verification Methods: Expect multi-factor authentication. This often involves mobile phone verification (receiving an SMS code), sometimes verifying through an existing bank account (transferring 1 KRW), taking a photo of your ID, and occasionally a short video call with a bank agent.
Digital Certificates and OTP: While the old 공인인증서 (gong-in-in-jeung-seo) system is being phased out for simpler methods, digital certificates (공동인증서, gong-dong-in-jeung-seo) or OTP devices/apps are still commonly used for secure transactions after the account is opened.
App-Centric Process: Most non-face-to-face account openings are designed to be completed entirely within the bank’s dedicated mobile app. Familiarity with using smartphone apps is beneficial.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Alex, a foreigner living in Korea, is trying to open a bank account online using a bank’s app and contacts customer support via chat.
Roles: A: Alex (Customer), B: Bank Representative (고객센터 직원)
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요, 비대면 계좌 개설 중에 문제가 생겼어요.
Pronunciation: A: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, bi-dae-myeon gye-jwa gae-seol jung-e mun-je-ga saeng-gyeot-seo-yo.
Meaning: A: Hello, I’m having a problem while trying to open an account online. -
Expression: B: 네, 고객님. 어떤 문제가 있으신가요?
Pronunciation: B: ne, go-gaeng-nim. eo-tteon mun-je-ga i-sseu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, customer. What seems to be the problem? -
Expression: A: 외국인등록증 촬영 단계에서 인식이 잘 안 됩니다.
Pronunciation: A: oe-gu-gin-deung-nok-jjeung chwal-yeong dan-gye-e-seo in-si-gi jal an doem-ni-da.
Meaning: A: The app isn’t recognizing my Alien Registration Card well during the photo step. -
Expression: B: 밝은 곳에서 빛 반사 없이 다시 시도해 보시겠어요? 신분증 테두리가 화면 안에 다 들어오게 해 주세요.
Pronunciation: B: bal-geun go-se-seo bit ban-sa eop-si da-si si-do-hae bo-si-ge-sseo-yo? sin-bun-jjeung te-du-ri-ga hwa-myeon a-ne da deu-reo-o-ge hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: B: Could you try again in a well-lit place without reflections? Please make sure the entire border of the ID card is within the screen frame. -
Expression: A: 네, 다시 해볼게요. 아, 이제 됐어요! 다음은 휴대폰 인증인가요?
Pronunciation: A: ne, da-si hae-bol-ge-yo. a, i-je dwaet-seo-yo! da-eum-eun hyu-dae-pon in-jeung-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: A: Okay, I’ll try again. Ah, it worked now! Is the next step mobile phone verification? -
Expression: B: 네, 맞습니다. 휴대폰으로 전송된 인증번호를 입력해 주시면 됩니다.
Pronunciation: B: ne, mat-seum-ni-da. hyu-dae-po-neu-ro jeon-song-doen in-jeung-beon-ho-reul im-nyeok-hae ju-si-myeon doem-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Yes, that’s correct. Please enter the verification code sent to your mobile phone.
Practice Tips
Opening a bank account online in Korean involves specific steps and vocabulary! Review the terms for ID, verification, and application often~ Try navigating a Korean bank’s website or app (even without completing the process) to see the flow. Watching online tutorials (search for 비대면 계좌 개설 방법 – bi-dae-myeon gye-jwa gae-seol bang-beop) can also be very helpful. Don’t hesitate to use the help phrases if you get stuck! Good luck~!