{
  "id": 17883078,
  "title": "Foreigners' card spending in Seoul jumps nearly 58% to $6.57 bil.",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/03/foreigners-card-spending-in-seoul-jumps-nearly-58-to-6-57-bil",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-03T00:57:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/economy/20261103/foreigners-card-spending-in-seoul-jumps-nearly-58-to-657-bil"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Visitors to Seoul spent nearly 58% more on credit and debit cards in the first nine months of 2026 compared to the same period a year earlier, according to city government data released on Tuesday. The total amount spent by foreigners using cards reached 8.84 trillion won, or $6.57 billion, marking a 57.7% increase from the same time last year.\n\nShopping led the spending categories, accounting for 46% of the total, followed by medical and wellness services at 23.8%, food and beverages at 13.3%, and accommodation at 10.4%. By district, Gangnam Ward contributed the most with 29.6% of the total, followed by Jung Ward at 27.7% and Mapo Ward at 7.1%. Spending expanded in several other areas, including Gangdong, Guro, Dongdaemun, and Seongdong wards.\n\nForeign tourists also boosted their spending at 10 major tourist spots, including Myeongdong, Gangnam, and Seongsu, with a 57.2% increase on-year, contributing to a total of 5.32 trillion won.",
  "summary": "Foreign visitors' card spending in Seoul jumped nearly 58 percent from a year earlier in the first nine months of 2026, driven by a record number of visitors, city government data showed Tuesday. Foreigners spent 8.84 trillion won ($6.57 billion) using credit and debit cards in Seoul from January to September, up 57.7 percent from the same period last year, according to the data. The figure has…",
  "key_points": [
    "Foreigners' card spending in Seoul increased by 57.7% YoY",
    "Shopping accounted for 46% of the total spending",
    "Gangnam Ward contributed the most with 29.6% of the total"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The surge in card transactions signals a robust recovery for Seoul's retail and wellness sectors as international visitors increasingly prioritize shopping and medical services during their stays.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yonhap News",
        "title": "Foreigners' card spending in Seoul jumps nearly 58 pct to 8.84 tln won",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/03/foreigners-card-spending-in-seoul-jumps-nearly-58-pct-to-8-84-tln-won",
        "published": "2026-11-03T00:17:58.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}