You paid in your local currency.
The price was displayed in KRW.
The checkout page showed no foreign amount.
Everything looked domestic.
But when the card statement arrived, the charge appeared in USD.
This situation confuses many users.
Why a Local Currency Payment Shows as Foreign
- The merchant processed the payment overseas
- The billing entity is registered in another country
- The payment gateway converted the currency automatically
- The platform uses cross-border payment routing
Even if you see KRW at checkout, the backend transaction may be international.
Authorization vs Settlement Currency
- Authorization may occur in local currency
- Final settlement may convert to foreign currency
- The card network applies exchange rates during posting
This is why statements sometimes display USD instead of KRW.
How to Verify the Actual Charge
- Check the merchant billing location
- Review exchange rate details
- Look for foreign transaction fees
- Confirm final posted amount
The currency display does not always reflect how you paid.
When to Contact Your Card Issuer
- If the conversion seems excessive
- If duplicate foreign fees appear
- If the merchant location looks incorrect
Most cases result from international payment processing structures.