Alipay+ Boosts QR Code Payments in South Korea

The use of QR codes for digital payments has been steadily increasing, and Alipay+ is at the forefront of this trend. Recently, Alipay+ reported an 18% rise in QR code payment transactions, while the total payment volume saw a 16% year-on-year increase in South Korea. This growth is driven by the convenience and efficiency of using partner wallets and bank apps for a wide array of services.

Growing Popularity Among Tourists

South Korea is a favored destination for tourists from Southeast Asia and the Chinese mainland. Alipay+ has become a key player in enhancing their travel experience by facilitating seamless payments. Cities like Seoul, Jeju Island, and Busan are hotspots where tourists frequently use Alipay+-supported transactions for everything from beauty clinic services to night market delights.

In 2025, specific categories like beauty clinic treatments, transportation, and food and beverages (F&B) emerged as fast-growing sectors for QR code transactions. Tourists from various regions, including Hong Kong, Malaysia, Japan, Macao, and the Philippines, are significant contributors to this upward trend.

Expansion of Alipay+ Network

By November 2025, Alipay+ linked 21 international wallets and bank apps to over 2 million merchants in South Korea. This setup allows tourists to use their preferred payment apps without the hassle of currency exchange. Recent initiatives include enabling Japan's PayPay users to make payments across South Korea, expanding the reach of Alipay+ further.

Tourists can effortlessly scan QR code generator solutions at locations like the Myeongdong Night Market for smooth transactions, making the shopping experience both modern and convenient.

Detailed Statistics on Growth

From January to November 2025, Alipay+ saw:

• An 18% increase in QR code transactions year-on-year.
• A 16% rise in total payment volume.

Top Regions for Transactions

• Chinese mainland using Alipay
• Hong Kong with AlipayHK
• Malaysia's Touch ‘n Go e-Wallet
• Japan through PayPay
• Macao's Mpay
• Philippines via GCash

The cities with the highest usage of Alipay+ in South Korea include Seoul, Jeju Island, Incheon, Gyeonggido, and Busan. The most significant growth was observed in transportation, beauty clinic, and F&B transactions.

Year-on-year statistics reveal a 120% increase in transportation transactions, with total payment volume (TPV) growing by 23%. Beauty clinic transactions rose by 90% with a 123% increase in TPV, while F&B transactions grew by 47%, with a 54% increase in TPV.

Empowering Local Businesses

Alipay+ benefits over 2 million South Korean merchants, primarily small and medium enterprises. Tourists find it convenient to make payments everywhere, from the airport limousine buses at Incheon International Airport to local cafés and retail stores. Merchants can leverage Alipay+ solutions, like the A+ Rewards platform, to offer personalized promotions and engage customers using AI technologies.

Innovations for Travelers

Alipay+ Voyager, an AI-powered travel agent integrated into mobile wallets, helps travelers plan itineraries, book services, and make purchases with ease. This tool allows merchants to connect with global consumers who prefer mobile payment methods.

Alipay+ is committed to enhancing the travel experience while empowering local businesses. Its AI-driven solutions ensure that merchants can attract international tourists, expanding their customer base and boosting business growth.

Seamless Transport Payments

In collaboration with local transport networks, Alipay+ enables digital fare payments for buses and taxis. Seoul visitors can use Alipay+ partner wallets across more than 70,000 taxis and over 100 airport limousine buses. On Jeju Island, more than 1,200 buses accept Alipay+ payments, along with over 15,000 eZL taxis in Daegu.

Chinese tourists can also purchase tickets from Korea’s railway operator Korail Networks and book beauty clinic visits through mini-programs on Alipay, enhancing convenience and service accessibility.

Facilitating Payments for South Korean Travelers Abroad

Alipay+ has extended South Korea's leading wallets—Kakao Pay, Naver Pay, and Toss Pay—to over 100 global markets. This expansion allows South Korean travelers to use their digital wallets for payments worldwide. Kakao Pay users, for instance, can make contactless payments at over 150 million Mastercard merchants globally, supported by Alipay+’s NFC payment solution.

As the global wallet gateway of Ant International, Alipay+ connects 40 mobile payment partners with a vast network of over 150 million merchants in more than 100 markets, making it a cornerstone of the digital payment ecosystem.