The NFC-enabled iCarte 420K case has been developed by Canadian vendor Wireless dynamics and is officially approved by Apple. KT's Olleh Touch NFC technology enables customers with the case to use their iPhones for contactless payments in stores and on public transport.

Yang, Hyunmi, EVP, integrated customer strategy, KT, says: "As a global leader of NFC services, KT plans to provide more convenient and differentiated NFC services to its customers."

It is still not clear whether the iPhone 5 - expected to hit shelves soon - will come with built-in contactless payments functionality.

In the meantime, Wireless Dynamics is one of several companies looking to provide a fix, and has been working with Visa Europe to introduce its case. Another company, DeviceFidelity, has trialled a similar offering in the US and Australia, although ANZ recently decided not to take its pilot any further.

One iPhone 4 owner who couldn't wait for Apple to catch up with the likes of Google has taken matters into her own hands, simply sticking a contactless bank card inside her phone.