South Korea is implementing a nationwide rollout of mobile resident registration cards, marking a significant milestone in the country’s ongoing digital transformation initiatives. The expansion follows successful pilot programs in nine regions and represents the latest step in South Korea’s comprehensive digital identity modernization strategy. The phased implementation will begin February 14, 2025, and complete by March 14, 2025.
The rollout will proceed in three distinct phases. The first phase, from February 14-28, will extend the system to regions where pilot programs were conducted, including Daegu, Daejeon, Ulsan, Gangwon Province, North and South Jeolla Province, North and South Gyeongsang Province, and Jeju Island. The second phase, running February 28-March 14, will cover Incheon, Gyeonggi Province, and remaining areas of North and South Chungcheong Province. The final phase on March 14 will integrate major metropolitan areas including Seoul, Busan, and Gwangju.
Citizens aged 17 and above who possess physical resident registration cards can apply for the mobile version through the Korea Mobile ID app on their registered devices. Digital cards can be issued by tapping the physical card to their phones, eliminating the need for in-person visits to community service centers. The streamlined process builds upon South Korea’s broader digital identity ecosystem, which already includes mobile banking integration and mobile driver’s licenses.
The mobile cards will maintain functional equivalence with physical cards and will be accepted at administrative offices, financial institutions, and hospitals. The system includes robust security features including automatic suspension of both physical and mobile versions if a physical card is reported lost, while lost mobile cards result in suspension of only the digital version. The technology uses near-field communication (NFC) and facial recognition for authentication, using similar security protocols to those successfully implemented in South Korea’s financial services sector.
“The mobile resident registration card will greatly enhance convenience for citizens in the digital era by enabling access to a wide range of online services,” said Ko Ki-dong, acting minister of the interior and safety. The initiative supports the ministry’s broader efforts to digitize government services and improve accessibility for citizens.
Citizens with older cards lacking an integrated circuit chip can obtain a mobile ID by visiting their local community service center to scan a QR code. The mobile version is provided free of charge for both new applicants and those replacing older cards. Upgrading a physical card to one with an IC chip requires a re-issuance fee of 10,000 won ($6.85) and can be completed at community centers. While the system has shown promise, authorities are working to prevent service disruptions like the six-hour outage that affected the mobile ID system during earlier testing phases.
Sources: Korea Times, Korea Tech Today
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