South Korea Launches Mobile ID Card Trial Program Across Nine Regions

South Korea is launching a trial program for a mobile ID card system that will allow residents to store and use their national identification cards on smartphones. The initiative will be tested across nine regions nationwide as part of the country’s efforts to modernize identification processes, building on the success of KakaoBank’s digital certificate service which has attracted over 15 million users since its launch.

The mobile ID system will streamline identity verification for government services and security checks by enabling users to store identification documents digitally rather than carrying physical cards. Users will be able to access their identification through their smartphones, making the system both portable and convenient. The development follows South Korea’s earlier successful implementation of mobile driver’s licenses and builds upon the country’s robust digital infrastructure.

The initiative is part of South Korea’s broader digital transformation efforts in public services, including the Digital New Deal policy framework. The country has previously implemented various digital identification systems, including resident registration cards and driver’s licenses, with strong support from the FIDO Alliance’s Korean Working Group, which includes major technology firms like Samsung Electronics and RaonSecure.

The system will incorporate advanced security measures to protect user data and maintain confidentiality of personal information. While specific technical details have not been disclosed, South Korea has historically employed advanced encryption and authentication technologies in its digital government services, including blockchain-based solutions and biometric authentication methods similar to those used in Samsung Pass.

The trial program marks a significant advance in modernizing South Korea’s identification infrastructure, building upon the country’s existing digital governance framework. The initiative follows the country’s previous successful deployment of QR code and facial recognition systems for government building access control, demonstrating South Korea’s commitment to advancing its digital identity ecosystem. The implementation timeline and specific duration of the trial period have not been announced.

Sources: KBS WORLD

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December 28, 2024 – by the ID Tech Editorial Team