SK Telecom Launches Customized Communication Service for Foreigners 'Miri'

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] SK Telecom announced on the 2nd that it will launch a communication service called 'Miri' that allows foreign customers accustomed to prepaid methods to recharge up to 5 million KRW.

Miri is a prepaid service that combines the advantages of postpaid services offering communication benefits such as optional contract discounts, official subsidies, and membership discounts, with the ability to pay monthly fixed fees in advance. The amount recharged in advance can be freely used for micropayments, content fees, and more, differentiating it from existing prepaid services.

Most foreigners residing in Korea, except Americans, are familiar with prepaid methods. Additionally, with diverse visit purposes and stay durations such as overseas Koreans (F4), permanent residents (F2), marriage immigrants (F6), employment permits (E9), visiting employment (H2), study (D2,4), short-term, and visa-free, it is difficult for them to use communication services on equal terms with locals in Korea, where postpaid services dominate.

Miri allows users to recharge from 10,000 KRW up to 5 million KRW and automatically pay not only communication fees but also device installment payments, micropayments, and content fees. The recharged amount can be used continuously without an expiration date, and the remaining balance can be refunded upon cancellation of SK Telecom services. Currently, many foreigners face difficulties such as visiting agencies monthly to pay fees in cash or forgetting to pay, so these issues are expected to be resolved.

Furthermore, if a prepaid amount of 100,000 KRW or more is made, customers can receive a mobile payment limit of up to 600,000 KRW depending on the customer. Payments for shopping and delivery applications are deducted from the prepaid amount, making it convenient. This benefit is for foreigners who often use mobile payments as an alternative to online payments due to difficulties in issuing domestic credit cards or mismatches between credit card and specific service names.

All communication benefits such as T Membership, optional contract discounts (25%), official subsidies, and instant roaming, which were only available with postpaid plans, can also be received. Subscription to 5th generation (5G) communication plans, previously only available postpaid, is also possible.

SK Telecom will give a 5,000 KRW CU convenience store gift certificate to the first 2,000 foreign customers who recharge 100,000 KRW or more at once by August 31, and will provide T-Day membership benefits at Gongcha and Crystal Jade stores, which are popular among foreigners.

Foreigners using SK Telecom can call 114 from their own phones to receive activation consultation just like locals. The consultation system automatically recognizes foreigners and connects them to counselors who can speak foreign languages. Han Myung-jin, head of SK Telecom MNO Marketing Group, said, "Communication services must evolve to match Korea's rapidly changing status as a multicultural society," and added, "We will continue to expand 5G service benefits for foreigners."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.