First Hawaiian Bank, the state’s largest credit card processor with 7,500 locations, said today it will now accept the BC Global Card, a South Korean credit card, to make it easier for South Korean tourists to shop in Hawaii.

The issuer, BCcard, implemented an agreement with Discover Financial Services that allows the card to be used on the Discover network, as well as the Diners Club International and PULSE networks.

First Hawaiian Bank, which has a long-standing partnership with Discover, processed the first global transaction yesterday during a ceremonial purchase of a Koa wood bowl by BCcard President and CEO Jong Ho Lee at a Halekulani Hotel boutique.

BCcard, founded in 1982, has 54 million cards issued through 11 financial institutions and has marketed the BC Global Card as the first Korean domestic card with international acceptance. Altogether, Korean cardholders spent more than $13 billion outside of Korea in 2010, according to the Korea Tourism Organization.