Add K-CASH to Your S-Card (Student ID) Now

Starting from September 1, CP-Gate copy cards will no longer be used as a method of payment. Instead, a new payment system which uses the S-card has been in effect since July 1. Before the adoption of K-CASH, the copy card was available only in the 5,000 won unit. One would need to pay at least 5,000 won for the copy card even though he or she needed to spend 1,000 won for the copies. Also, the copy card could be bought at only several designated facilities on campus. Lots of students were frustrated when they desperately needed to use the copy machine but didn’t have time to run all the way to the nearest center that sold the copy cards. If the students use K-CASH they’ll be able to use the copy machine whenever they want and however they want.

SNU Cooperative is also planning to install K-CASH card readers in the cafeterias and incorporate K-CASH into the meal ticket sale system. Students will no longer have to wait in long lines to buy meal tickets. They’ll be able to buy their meal directly without using a meal ticket.

In order to use the new system, one has to visit Nonghyup Bank and ask for the K-CASH (electronic money) function to be added to one’s S-Card (student ID card). Once the bank approves of the application, one will be able to use K-CASH freely. A Nonghyup bank teller said, “If you already have the K-CASH function in your S-Card, you don’t need to apply for anything. Just go to the Nonghyup ATM and press the “electronic money” button. Then you’ll be able to charge the K-Cash either by cash or by the money in your Nonghyup account. If you don’t have the K-Cash function in your card, just fill out this form and we’ll add K-Cash to your card. Just be sure not to lose the S-Card, because unlike the money in the bank account, the bank won’t be able to give you back your K-Cash if you lose the S-Card.”

K-CASH is rechargeable through an ATM or Internet banking (www.kcash.or.kr). You can use K-CASH as a transportation card, credit card, and a debit card. It can also store an online ID. K-CASH is connected to your bank account, so you automatically get a deduction on your income tax without having to show any other receipts.

SNU Cooperative said, “With the old system, the copy and printing company was paid in advance. If you use K-CASH, you pay just the relevant amount of money at the exact time of use.”

SNU Cooperative also said, “The K-CASH function can be added to any bank’s card. However, students who don’t use an S-Card will need to follow additional identification procedures to get meal tickets at the discounted price. We are looking for alternatives to avoid this problem.”

Meanwhile, a new copy and printing company was chosen through a public selection process in June. Canon Korea Business Solutions took CP-Gate’s place and started its service on July 1. SNUCO said, “According to the customer satisfaction survey on the service of businesses inside SNU, CP-Gate received awful scores for ‘service quality’. So we decided to introduce the S-Card payment system and change the copy and printing company.” SNUCO is anticipating a rise in the quality of the copying and printing services offered on campus.

Written by JANG Hyo Jeong, SNU English Editor, fatalbonds@snu.ac.kr   ?
Reviewed by Eli Park Sorensen, SNU Professor of Liberal Studies
Proofread by Brett Johnson, SNU English Editor