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Payment channel profile

KCP: what merchants should know

KCP (NHN KCP) is a leading South Korean payment gateway that processes cards, transfers, and wallets for local merchants. This page explains what it is, how it works, and how merchants connect.

What it is

KCP, now NHN KCP, is one of South Korea's longest-established payment gateways. It processes credit and debit cards, bank transfers, virtual accounts, mobile billing, and easy-pay wallets for online and offline merchants. For a cross-border merchant, KCP is less a consumer wallet and more the rails that let you accept Korean payment methods in one place.

  • NHN KCP, a long-established Korean payment gateway
  • Processes cards, transfers, virtual accounts, mobile billing
  • Also supports easy-pay wallets like PAYCO

Where it is mainly used

KCP operates in South Korea and is a major gateway for Korean internet shopping malls and online merchants. It also supports foreign-currency PG services and partnerships for cross-border. If you sell into Korea, KCP is a common behind-the-scenes gateway your PSP may already use.

  • South Korea
  • Major gateway for Korean online merchants
  • Supports foreign-currency PG and cross-border partnerships

How customers pay at checkout

At a KCP-powered checkout, Korean customers see local options: domestic cards, bank transfer, virtual account, mobile billing, and easy-pay wallets. KCP handles the two-step authentication and authorisation required by Korean regulation, then returns the result to your store.

  • Local cards, transfer, virtual account, mobile billing
  • Easy-pay wallets supported
  • Handles Korea's two-step auth and authorisation

How merchants get access

Merchants contract with KCP directly or through a PSP that uses KCP as its Korean gateway. Direct KCP onboarding expects Korean business documents and KYC. KCP also offers developer documentation for integration. Many Korean e-commerce platforms bundle KCP as a selectable PG.

  • Contract directly or via a PSP using KCP
  • Direct onboarding expects Korean documents
  • Developer docs available for integration

PSP and aggregator route

For cross-border merchants, the simplest route is a global PSP or Korean aggregator that uses KCP under the hood, so you get Korean coverage without a separate KCP contract. Aggregators can also route between KCP, Toss Payments, and Inicis without code changes.

  • Use a PSP or aggregator that runs KCP
  • No separate KCP contract needed
  • Can route between KCP, Toss, Inicis

Pricing and settlement

KCP fees are set in your gateway contract and vary by payment method, volume, and industry. As a gateway, KCP charges processing fees on top of any card association costs. Published pricing is for initial screening only; confirm the provider's official pricing page or a written quote before you go live.

  • Fees set in your gateway contract
  • Vary by method, volume, and industry
  • Always confirm official pricing in writing before launch

Public contact route

KCP publishes an official site with an English company introduction and a services page, plus developer documentation. Merchant contact is handled through KCP's business lines rather than a single public sales email. Use the official channels below, or a LocalPayMap consultation.

  • Official site: kcp.co.kr
  • English company introduction: kcp.co.kr/eng
  • Services page: kcp.co.kr/service
  • No public sales email found; use the official website contact page or LocalPayMap consultation

Questions merchants ask

Is KCP a wallet or a gateway?

KCP is a payment gateway, not a consumer wallet. It processes Korean cards, transfers, and wallets (including PAYCO) behind your checkout.

Do I need a Korean company to use KCP?

Direct KCP onboarding expects Korean business documents. Cross-border sellers usually go through a PSP or aggregator that uses KCP.

Can KCP process foreign cards?

Yes. KCP supports major international cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB) as well as Korean local methods.

What are the fees?

KCP fees are set in your gateway contract and vary by method and volume. Published pricing is for initial screening only; confirm the provider's official pricing page or a written quote before you go live.

Do I need to integrate KCP separately from other gateways?

If you use an aggregator, KCP is one selectable route you can switch without code changes. Direct use needs the KCP integration.

Where do I start?

Review the official KCP site and English introduction, or contact a PSP that uses KCP for Korean coverage.

Public sources