South Korea is implementing a nationwide mobile resident registration card system that will allow citizens to store and use digital versions of their ID cards on smartphones. The initiative, announced by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the Presidential Committee on the Digital Platform Government, launches on March 14, 2025, marking a significant expansion of the country’s digital identity modernization strategy that began with foreign resident cards.
The digital ID cards will be initially available through community centers under local government jurisdiction. Starting March 28, 2025, citizens can obtain their digital IDs through the Gov.kr web portal or at any community center nationwide, regardless of their registration address. The rollout supports South Korea’s broader push toward digital transformation, which includes the recent launch of the Hangang digital currency pilot and other financial sector reforms.
The mobile IDs incorporate advanced security features including blockchain technology and encryption. To prevent misuse, users are limited to one mobile ID per smartphone, and biometric verification is required. The digital cards maintain the same legal validity as traditional physical cards for official purposes. The security framework builds upon systems already implemented in healthcare settings, where QR code-based verification has been successfully deployed.
Users can digitize their IDs either by touching their smartphones to chip-embedded physical resident registration cards or by scanning a QR code at a community center. If a smartphone is lost, users can immediately deactivate their digital ID by contacting their telecommunications provider. The security measure is part of a comprehensive approach to protecting digital identity credentials in an increasingly mobile-first society.
The system is designed to work with government services, banking institutions, and other organizations that require official identification. The mobile IDs are being integrated into existing identification verification systems used by banks and other institutions across South Korea, complementing the country’s ongoing efforts to expand digital banking services and enhance secure authentication methods.
Sources: Korea.net (Policies), Korea.net (Press Releases), Gibson Dunn
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