You completed the payment in Korean Won.
The checkout page showed KRW.
The final price looked domestic.
But the approval alert says something different.
It shows as a foreign currency transaction.
Sometimes even marked as overseas usage.
This mismatch confuses many cardholders.
Why a KRW Payment Can Appear as Foreign Approved
- The payment gateway is located overseas
- The merchant is registered under a foreign entity
- Global subscription platforms process billing abroad
- App stores route transactions through international billing hubs
The currency shown at checkout does not always determine approval classification.
Common Situations Where This Happens
- Streaming or SaaS subscriptions
- App Store or Play Store purchases
- Cloud services and software tools
- International booking platforms
Does This Mean You Paid Extra?
Not necessarily.
If the final charge posts in KRW, no foreign exchange occurred.
The approval label reflects processing location, not billing currency.
When You Should Investigate Further
- If the posted amount differs from checkout price
- If foreign transaction fees appear
- If you don’t recognize the merchant
A foreign approval label alone does not indicate fraud.