HiPass

I didn't have a car or a lot of money when I was an English teacher, so I never really paid too much attention to the Korean highway system -- I didn't have anywhere to go nor a means to get there.

Now that I have both a vehicle and some money to travel around, I've noticed that most of Korea's largest highways are tollways. Of course, that made me want to get a "HiPass" so I could take advantage of the electronic tollbooths. [Source]

The website Korea4Expats.com has a good explanation for setting one up. Basically, you need 1.) either a pre-paid card or a credit card, and 2.) the on-board unit (단말기) you plug it into (though new-built Korean cars have this as a built feature). Once you register these things to go along with your car, you're all set.

For a while, I thought we couldn't get one because the car is registered in my name, but as a U.S. servicemember I don't have an alien registration number. However, it turns out the system can accommodate the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) driver's license number. This is what our device looks like. It goes in the bottom center of the windshield, and the charges show up on SY's credit card statement.