Their total overseas card spending stood at US$6.1 billion in the first quarter, almost the same as $6.11 billion in the previous quarter but up 14.2 percent from a year earlier.
Although the number of South Koreans traveling abroad increased over the period, spending remained almost unchanged, according to the BOK.
Purchases through overseas online shopping malls fell to $1.35 billion from $1.55 billion, while the number of South Korean departures rose to 8.33 million from 7.89 million.
Card spending by foreigners in South Korea totaled $3.57 billion in the first quarter, down 5.4 percent from the previous quarter but up 30.2 percent from a year earlier.
Foreign tourist arrivals to South Korea hit a first-quarter record of 4.76 million, but spending fell from the previous quarter.
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