Samsung begins refunding Note 7 owners in South Korea

Note 7 customers can opt for a full refund or exchange their handsets with other Apple, LG and Samsung phones

Samsung Electronics on Thursday began its refund and exchange programme for Galaxy Note 7 owners in South Korea after it discontinued production of the faulty smartphone.

Note 7 owners were recommended to take their phones back to the store from where they purchased the defective smartphones, Xinhua news agency reported.

South Korean consumers can opt to get a full refund or exchange Note 7s with other devices, including Apple's iPhone 7 or LG Electronics' G5 and V20, or Samsung's Galaxy S7, S7 Edge and Galaxy Note 5.

Samsung said in a statement that it will provide 100,000 won ($89) in gifts, including a 30,000-won coupon and a 70,000-won assistance for phone charges, if Note 7 owners replace their phones with Samsung products.

The 30,000-won coupon would be given to all Note 7 buyers even if they exchange their phones with other products such as iPhone 7 or the LG G5.

If Note 7 owners want to receive the full 100,000-won gift from Samsung, they are required to replace their phones with Samsung products until November 30.

The refund and exchange programme will continue by the end of this year. The programme will differ by country.