By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
SEOUL (Worthy News) – Despite political turmoil, South Korea rang in the New Year with a digital pledge to citizens aged 17 and over: They will soon be able to store their resident registration cards on their smartphones.
A trial has begun in nine regions across the country, with the Ministry of Interior and Safety evaluating the system’s stability before expanding the program nationwide by March, officials said.
The ministry announced that these new “mobile [identification documents or] IDs” use “blockchain and encryption” technologies to keep personal information “safe” and avoid fraud.
Observers called it a milestone moment as South Korea seeks to dump its traditional physical ID system introduced in 1968, a development closely watched by other Asian nations.
Worthy News learned that in late 2023, when South Korea prepared to expand its digital ID toolbox, some 15 government officials from Indonesia, Southeast Asia’s largest economy, visited the country to study its digitalization efforts.
“The age of digitalization has presented countries around the globe with unique opportunities and challenges. For Indonesia, the introduction of a digital ID system is not just a technological advancement but a strategic necessity,” the World Bank Group said in a statement seen by Worthy News.
“It promises to revolutionize how citizens interact with government services, enhance the efficiency of public service delivery, and significantly improve data security and integrity,” it argued.
INDONESIA INTERESTED
“By adopting a digital ID system, Indonesia can streamline administrative processes, bolster economic growth, and ensure a more inclusive and equitable access to government services for its diverse population,” the World Bank Group added.
This is the fourth type of mobile identification card issued by the South Korean government, following the mobile driver’s license, the national veterans’ registration card, and the overseas Korean identification card, which have all been introduced since 2021.
The nine regions included in the latest test of digital car registration include
Sejong City, HongCheon County in Gangwon Province, Goyang City in Gyeonggi Province, Geochang County in South Gyeongsang Province, Seo-gu District in Daejeon, Gunwi County in Daegu, Ulju County in Ulsan as well as Yeosu city, and Yeongnam county in South Jeolla province, officials said.
Although critics expressed concern about privacy issues, the digitalization of IDs seems unstoppable in Southeast Asia.
There were no indications Sunday that the launch of a new digital ID system in South Korea was undermined by a standoff between the country’s military and forces of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol.
South Korean investigators have again asked the country’s acting president to order the presidential security service to comply with an arrest warrant for Yoon over his brief declaration of martial law last month.
Copyright 1999-2025 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
Latest News from Worthy News
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee declared Thursday that Hamas must be completely dismantled–drawing a sharp comparison to post-World War II Germany where the Nazis were barred from playing any future role. Speaking in a series of interviews, Huckabee reiterated President Donald Trump’s firm stance that Hamas will have “no future” in Gaza, calling any proposal that allows the terror group to retain power “as senseless as letting the Nazis rebuild Germany.”
The Trump administration on Thursday announced sweeping new sanctions aimed at crippling Iran’s oil revenue and its ability to fund terrorism and develop nuclear weapons.
In a major legislative triumph for President Donald Trump and House Republicans, the House of Representatives passed the “One Big Beautiful Bill” in the early hours of July 3 by a 218-214 vote, sending the sweeping $4.5 trillion package to the president’s desk for signature just ahead of his self-imposed July 4 deadline.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a U.S.-backed Christian-led aid organization, has issued a stark warning following what it calls “credible reports” that Hamas has placed bounties on both American and Palestinian aid workers. Despite the escalating threats, GHF says its mission will continue without fear or compromise.
The Pentagon has paused some shipments of U.S. weapons to Ukraine as part of an internal review to assess the impact on America’s own military stockpiles, Defense Department officials confirmed Wednesday. The move comes as the Trump administration prioritizes recalibrating U.S. defense commitments in light of strategic needs, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.
The U.S. economy added 147,000 jobs in June, beating forecasts of 115,000, while the unemployment rate edged down to 4.1%, according to Labor Department data released July 3. Economists had expected a rise to 4.3%.
The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to take up two cases in its next term on laws banning transgender women from participating in girls and women’s sports, based on biological sex.