Korea Easy Payment Foundation, the official operator of ZeroPay, is integrating Alipay+ global cross-border digital payments at more than 1.7 million merchants across South Korea in a move to elevate digital transactions. This strategic partnership aims to transform the payment experience for Asian tourists and provide unprecedented convenience.

Users of key digital payment apps like Alipay, AlipayHK, MPay, TrueMoney, and Touch ‘n Go eWallet will now have the power to shop cash-free in South Korea. The procedure is straightforward: simply scan the ZeroPay QR code at the merchant’s counter with your native e-wallet app, input the transaction amount, and confirm. Expect to see more Alipay+ partner e-wallets join the fray in the upcoming months.

This collaborative effort between Alipay+ and ZeroPay, facilitated by ICB, is anticipated to be a game-changer for Korean merchants. The partnership is especially beneficial for small businesses, providing them with a smooth, hassle-free payment process for international tourists. It also widens their reach to a staggering customer base of over 1.4 billion people from China and Southeast Asia.

ZeroPay, a brainchild of the Seoul Metropolitan Government, has been instrumental in the nation’s digital transition. The public QR-code based digital payment service benefits both consumers and small businesses by facilitating zero-fee settlements.

Danny Chung, General Manager of Ant Group in Korea, Australia, and New Zealand, commented on the partnership’s significance. “By aligning with ZeroPay, we aim to elevate the payment convenience for Asian tourists in South Korea and generate new growth avenues for local businesses,” he said.

Hanyong Lee, CEO of ICB, also highlighted the expected surge in inbound travel post-COVID-19 due to the initiative. “The feature will predominantly benefit small businesses, which make up 94% of ZeroPay’s merchant pool, by making them more attractive to foreign tourists through Alipay+,” he added.

The Alipay+ suite, introduced by Ant Group, serves as a robust platform for global cross-border digital payments and marketing solutions. It enables businesses to easily adapt and offer a wide array of mobile payment methods to better serve regional and global consumers.

  Ant Group, Danny Chung, Hanyong Lee, Korea Easy Payment Foundation, South Korea, ZeroPay