Overseas Koreans Can Verify Identity Without Visiting Korea or Consulates

오재경OhJaeGyung
28 Nov 2024


The Overseas Koreans Agency (Director Lee Sang-deok) announced that starting November 28, it will launch a pilot service for the "Overseas Koreans Certification Center" to enhance access and convenience to domestic digital services for overseas Koreans. The initiative is a collaborative effort with the Korea Communications Commission (Acting Chair Kim Tae-gyu), the Ministry of Science and ICT (Minister Yoo Sang-im), and the Digital Platform Government Committee (Chair Kim Chang-kyung).

Since signing an agreement in March 2024, the involved parties have developed a non-face-to-face identity verification system based on electronic passports. This includes inter-agency discussions and business briefings for private sector operators to implement the "Overseas Koreans Certification Center."

Previously, overseas Koreans needed to visit distant consulates to obtain joint or financial certificates for access to domestic online services. Even with these certificates, they often faced additional hurdles like verifying their identity through a Korean mobile phone, leaving many in a digital accessibility gap.

With the new system, overseas Koreans can now:

  1. Register as overseas nationals,
  2. Possess a resident registration number, and
  3. Hold a valid electronic passport.

Using these, they can issue an overseas national certification through private applications, enabling online identity verification without in-person visits.

The government, including the Overseas Koreans Agency, aims to address digital exclusion for overseas Koreans with this pilot service. It plans to offer inclusive and proactive services to minimize unnecessary social costs for this population.


https://newsk.net/korea/?idx=129212730&bmode=view


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