South Korea Launches Digital Residence Cards for Foreign Residents

South Korea has launched a digital residence card system for foreign residents as part of the country’s comprehensive digital identity modernization strategy. This initiative builds upon South Korea’s ongoing efforts to digitize national identification systems, aiming to streamline administrative processes while maintaining robust security measures for its foreign resident population.

Foreign nationals aged 14 and above who reside in South Korea can apply for digital residence cards through the “mobile id-card app,” which is compatible with both iOS and Android platforms. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety developed the application following extensive security testing and user experience research.

The system offers two distinct methods for obtaining digital residence cards. Foreign residents with physical cards issued before 2025 must visit an immigration office to scan QR codes for their digital versions. While this enables immediate issuance, obtaining a new digital ID on a different phone requires another immigration office visit. For cards issued after January 1, 2025, the process is simplified through integrated circuit chips embedded in physical cards, allowing direct smartphone scanning without visiting immigration offices.

The digital residence cards incorporate blockchain technology and advanced encryption protocols to protect personal information, building on South Korea’s expertise in blockchain-based identity solutions. Each digital card is linked to a single smartphone, with automatic security measures that block access if the device is reported lost. The digital IDs carry equivalent legal status to physical cards and can be used for identification at public institutions, hospitals, convenience stores, and during financial transactions.

The Ministry of Justice oversees the issuance process through the dedicated mobile application, working in coordination with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. The initiative leverages South Korea’s existing digital identity infrastructure, which has been developed in partnership with major South Korean technology companies and has already demonstrated success in previous digital identity programs.

The digital residence card program represents the latest advancement in South Korea’s digital identification strategy, following the successful implementation of mobile driver’s licenses in 2022 and mobile veterans registration cards in 2023. The country is set to expand its digital identity ecosystem further with the launch of a trial program for digital national ID cards for citizens this month.

Sources: Daum

–

January 13, 2025 – by the ID Tech Editorial Team