The rising number of international visitors led to record-high foreign card spending in the second quarter. (Korea.net DB)

By Kang Gahui

The rising number of foreign visitors led to record-high credit and debit card spending by such tourists in the second quarter.

The Bank of Korea on Sept. 2 in a related report said spending with such cards reached USD 4.86 billion between April and June, up 36.1% from the first quarter.

The figure topped the former mark of USD 3.79 billion in the second quarter last year.

The number of cards used by foreign nationals in the second quarter jumped 34.3% from the first to 25.02 million, with average spending inching up 1% to USD 194 per card.

Overseas card spending by those living Korea reached USD 5.85 billion in the second quarter, down 4.2%.

kgh89@korea.kr