Go to Canada, Young Man--and Banks Start to Listen.

I know first-hand that many Koreans are in Canada--especially in Vancouver and Toronto, but all over the place as well. Even my wife's whole immediate family is there now (well, except me). Canada is a big-time study destination too but recently there was even more news as North Koreans tried their luck at getting in to Canada.

Well, onto Canadian soil, at least. North Korean defectors scaled the wall of the Canadian embassy in Beijing as a stepping stone to getting to South Korea. Of course China issued a press release that it wants them back, but if I know Canada we're not likely to relinquish them to a state that'll likely put them back in to NK (or worse, if that's possible). It's kind of ironic as this is the time when the Korean economy is not doing all that hot and some Koreans are leaving the country (and their debts) behind them. (Many especially left during Choo-seoㅏk.) Even though Korea is tops in many areas it's still can be an expensive place to live and from what I hear defectors don't have an easy go of it; and most foreigners think it's pretty darn corrupt, to boot. I guess it depends on your viewpoint. (Cool stats from a recent survey here.)


Forty four North Korean defectors entered the Canadian Embassy in China demanding to be sent to South Korea. Reading South Korean newspapers, however, that report post-Chuseok public sentiment that people feel financial hardships and believe the government should do more to boost the economy. (Source)

Here comes the rant. I had to get some Canadian cash from the bank a while back (good thing I did it then, as the rate has risen from 890KRW/CAD to 913 KRW/CAD!) and waited 30 minutes to get to the teller to find out that they didn't have enough of it and I had to go to another (close, thankfully) branch. Over there it was quick, but I still thought that Korean banks, on the whole, leave something to be desired. For one, they have brutal (typical bankers') hours. Second, there is a fee if you use the ATM outside of those times and ATMs shut down from midnight to 8AM! (So much for 24 hour service; you can, however use a credit card at anytime.) They also don't let foreigners get Check-Cards (basically debit cards). Maybe it's because banks control 59% of the financial markets here, and the biggest ones (Kookmin Bank, Hana Bank, Shinhan/CHB) seem to have a bit of a stranglehold on everything.

Now the good news...someone's listening. Branches are getting extended hours, even open 365 days a year! They even had a survey in the District Office where I got my alien card renewed asking about service at banks and how to approve it. Excellent.