E-debit card settlement system introduced in NKorea

PYONGYANG, March 24 (Itar-Tass) - An electronic system for settlement
with the use of debit cards has been for the first time introduced at the
international communications center, in major department stores, hotels,
and restaurants of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).
The debit card, dubbed Narae (wing), can be used both by the citizens
of the DPRK and by foreign diplomats and representatives of international
humanitarian organizations working here.
It takes only several minutes to issue the card to foreigners. The
card's cost is three US dollars. Not more than $1,000 may be placed in an
account. In case of settlement, the money is automatically converted into
the North Korean won in accordance with the official rate of exchange.
The card bears an inscription indicating a date of issue, a card
number, and a bank code. In the interests of financial safety, a client
enters a personal four-digit code of his own.
Most foreigners have acquired such cards, pointing out the convenience
of using them, first of all because cash register operators in local shops
quite often lack small denomination coins to give change to customers who
pay cash in US dollars or euros.