{"id":98188,"date":"2024-11-06T08:58:00","date_gmt":"2024-11-06T07:58:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/monetplus.cz\/mezi-soulem-a-athenami-eduard-nesiba-o-platebnich-systemech-a-zivote-v-koreji\/"},"modified":"2025-07-07T10:21:20","modified_gmt":"2025-07-07T08:21:20","slug":"between-seoul-and-athens-eduard-nesiba-on-payment-systems-and-life-in-korea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/monetplus.cz\/en\/between-seoul-and-athens-eduard-nesiba-on-payment-systems-and-life-in-korea\/","title":{"rendered":"Between Seoul and Athens: Eduard Nesiba on Payment Systems and Life in Korea"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Eduard Nesiba joined Monet+ just three months after its founding\u2014nearly 28 years ago. At that time, the company focused on banking software, particularly around in-house banking systems and launching a chip card-based digital wallet. Today, Eduard continues to play a key role at Monet+, where he acts as a crucial link between business development and technical delivery.<\/span><\/p>\n

“I connect business with development. I’m responsible for the technical design of our projects. While our sales team handles the commercial side, I design the technical solution, consult with clients to ensure the concept makes sense, and then hand it off internally. That\u2019s how we build the technical framework of a deal. I attend all meetings with new clients to stay aligned on the project\u2019s progress,”<\/em> says Eduard.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Why Did LG Request a Transport Payments Consultation?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

South Korean technology leader LG recently sought consultation on a transit payments project. Through long-term business relationships\u2014particularly with Monet+ team member Jan \u0160ilar\u2014LG turned to Monet+ as a trusted advisor. The request was part of LG\u2019s involvement in a major public transport tender.<\/span><\/p>\n

Where\u2019s the Gap?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

LG has a division that develops closed-loop transport payment systems and has delivered several large-scale deployments around the world\u2014including in Seoul, Athens, South America, Malaysia, and New Zealand. In Athens, a project is currently underway to expand the existing system to support open-loop bank card payments.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, LG lacks experience with EMV standards and fare payment models based on MTT (Mastercard Transaction Types) and PAYG (Visa\u2019s Pay As You Go). This is new ground for them.<\/span><\/p>\n

“I help them understand how EMV fare payments work so they can make informed decisions. Once they see how complex the process is\u2014how many systems, certifications, and specifications are required\u2014they start to realize that it might be better to buy the solution rather than build it. And of course, we believe the best solution comes from us,”<\/em> Eduard explains.<\/span><\/p>\n

What\u2019s Next?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Eduard's work is taking him around the globe. After two more weeks in Seoul, he will spend a month and a half in Athens, returning home in December. His expertise, built across nearly three decades at Monet+, continues to shape the future of transport payment systems worldwide\u2014connecting not only technologies but also regions, clients, and ideas.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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What did a typical day in Korea look like?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWe started at 9 a.m. every day in the office. Each morning, the team would brief me on what happened the day before. They hold their own meetings with subcontractors, which I don\u2019t attend, but they bring me the issues they encountered and ask for possible solutions. After that, we focus on current matters and plan the next steps. That\u2019s how our cooperation works.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In the early phase, Eduard\u2019s main focus was on education\u2014explaining the fundamentals of bank card payment systems, especially contactless transactions.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI prepared daily presentations and training materials. That first phase was about laying the groundwork. The second phase moved into system design: they provided their input, and I proposed technical solutions.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

His next trip will involve system testing in Seoul, followed by deployment in Athens.<\/span><\/p>\n

What\u2019s the Korean work culture like compared to ours?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThey mostly use cards, but the system is a bit different. Local banks issue their own proprietary cards, so in addition to Visa and Mastercard, you see a lot of local options that people prefer. And the payment terminals? Completely different from what we\u2019re used to.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThey don\u2019t use PINs at the terminal\u2014you sign instead. Every terminal has a touchscreen for your\nsignature. You only use your PIN at ATMs, never during regular purchases.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Is that secure?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cApparently it works for them.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Was there anything that personally surprised you in Korea?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cDefinitely the density. Seoul has 10 million residents living on just 600 square kilometers\u2014that\u2019s like\nsqueezing everyone from Otrokovice to Vizovice into one compact space. But despite that, people are incredibly considerate of one another.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIf someone has a cold, they automatically wear a mask. It\u2019s a common courtesy, and you see it everywhere. With that many people, you just can\u2019t afford to be inconsiderate\u2014it simply wouldn\u2019t work.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Final question, Eduard: Did you experience any culture shock?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cHonestly? The biggest one was bread. They don\u2019t have real bread! Everything\u2019s sweet\u2014it\u2019s like\nbrioche or sweet rolls. That was tough to get used to.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

We wish Eduard continued success on his next assignment and look forward to more insights from\nhis travels. His work reminds us that behind every smart system is a human story\u2014and often, a surprising one.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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