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www.groovekorea.com / May 2014 84 ABOUT THE WRITER Paul Sharkie is the Foreign Client Relationship Manager for Shinhan Bank’s Foreign Customer Department. Please visit Shinhan Expat Banking on Facebook for more information. The banking information provided in this column is based on Shinhan Bank policies and may not be applicable to all banks in Korea. — Ed. W hen it comes to renewing passports, we like to think we have a justifiable reason for jumping through the bureaucratic hoops. Perhaps your patriotic little book has expired or you’ve been fortunate enough to have traveled extensively around the globe, squeezing as many stamps onto each page as possible. Given the stress of actually possessing one of these pricey objects, it often comes as quite a shock when one’s bank teller — without a second thought — stamps that crisp, clean space you thought was reserved for your next memorable trip. Why do banks in Korea stamp passports? The following is what you can expect in Korea and a summary of the other options you should consider. THE MONEY COLUMN Edited by Matthew Lamers (mattlamers@groovekorea.com) INSIGHT How to exchange (lots of) money in Korea Column by Paul Sharkie / Illustration by Rob Green ForEIGN cUrrENcy, yoUr PASSPorT ANd yoUr oPTIoNS