First, I have just managed to change my 'conventional' maybank card( the yellow card) to a new Debit Visa Card ( with cherries logo) for easier withdrawal of money while in South Korea.
I have come across the following quote by a forummer with a username ' Mile&More' offer an advice as follow:
The rate offered by banks in Korea is better. The KRW exchange rate offered by money changers in Malaysia is around KRW1,000 = RM2.86-RM2.88. However, banks in Korea can offer you around KRW1,000 = RM2.76-RM2.83. Getting KRW1,000 at just RM2.76 is possible at all Hana Bank branches in Seoul (their money exchange booths at the airport quote slightly higher rate) provided you have an Asiana Airlines boarding pass. Otherwise, the rate is KRW1,000 = RM2.83 and this is still better than the rate offered by local money changers. And yes, Hana Bank accepts MYR in all of their money exchange booths as well as in all their 650 branches in South Korea.At first, I thought it is the other way round, as many have told me that it is better to change your money while in Malaysia to avoid being charged higher than normal by money changer in airport.
After reask, his reply was :
You'll need an Asiana Airlines boarding pass to get a cheaper preferential rate though. Else the rate is actually quite expensive.
Anyway, the exchange rate is actually very cheap nowadays. You can just buy your Korean Won here.
Btw, just in case you run out of money and only have MYR left, you can buy Korean Won at a money changer in Dongdaemun directly with your MYR. It's located outside Exit number 6 if my memory serves me correctly on the left. Seoul is a great place. You have a good time.
I have never used my ATM card to withdraw cash in South Korea, thus i can't advise you on this. But do note that there is a 0.5% admin fee for all overseas transactions and this include overseas ATM cash withdrawals + RM10 fee for every withdrawal.
Anyway, since you have a Maybank VISA debit card. I strongly suggest that you just use your Maybank VISA debit card to pay for anything at all places that accepts debit/credit card in Seoul. I've used my Maybank credit card many times during my last trip to Seoul just two months ago and the rate was KRW1,000 = RM2.73-RM2.74. I used the card to buy something online again and was charged in KRW just last month and the rate was KRW1,000 = RM2.73 for the first time and KRW1,000 = RM2.76 for another transaction done a few weeks later. As you can see, the final exchange rate is even lower than the rate offered by money changer in Malaysia which is around KRW1,000 = RM2.78-RM2.82
The Maybank staff told me that RM12 will be charged for every withdrawal. I will definitely change a partial sum of money right here to avoid any extra charges, but it is rather unsafe to carry large sum of money with me too. Luckily, the Maybank Debit Card which I apply can allow me to spend up to RM5000 for shopping purchases in South Korea. And one more thing is, for those really want to withdraw money overseas, remember to activate overseas flag or else, Maybank will impose a ban on your account.
Since the currency exchange rate is RM1= 356 woon , so RM3 =1057 woon. Korean food and stuffs are quite expensive. Though this APL program have some free field trips for us, but I guess I still need to really save on that ! Hope ISC will bank in enough allowances on time as per wish.
