"After Complex Procedures, Year-End Tax Settlement via Kakao, Pass, and Payco (Comprehensive)"

[Asia Economy Reporter Buaeri] Starting January next year, Kakao, the three major telecom companies' 'PASS', and NHN Payco's certificate services will be available for year-end tax settlement.

According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety on the 21st, Kakao, PASS, NHN Payco, and others were selected as pilot operators for electronic signatures in the public sector. From January 15 next year, their certificate services can be used in the National Tax Service Hometax year-end tax settlement simplification service.

Accordingly, users can easily and quickly use the National Tax Service Hometax year-end tax settlement simplification service, the issuance service of resident registration certificates for year-end tax settlement on Government24, and the online public participation portal 'People's Sinmungo' of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission with the Kakao certificate in the KakaoTalk Wallet.

The KakaoTalk Wallet can be accessed from the 'More' tab after updating to the latest version of KakaoTalk. KakaoTalk users can create a wallet after agreeing to the terms and completing identity verification. Users who have created a KakaoTalk Wallet and completed secondary authentication can select 'KakaoTalk' on the simple signature login screen for Government24, People's Sinmungo, and Hometax year-end tax settlement simplification service, then enter a 6-digit password or use biometric authentication on their smartphone to access the respective sites.

Yeo Min-soo, Co-CEO of Kakao, said, "We expect many citizens to experience the convenience of the Kakao certificate contained in the KakaoTalk Wallet through this pilot project," adding, "We will provide various identity and qualification verifications so that people can easily and safely verify their identity and qualifications via mobile in the future."

The PASS certificate created by the three telecom companies is also available. On the National Tax Service Hometax site, users select 'Simple Signature' and then choose 'PASS Certificate' to connect. By entering only their name, date of birth, and mobile phone number, the PASS app on their smartphone automatically generates an authentication popup, and users complete authentication by entering the PASS app password.

The PASS certificate can be issued with just two clicks without additional verification procedures if the PASS app is running. The company explains that this reduces the registration time and lessens the customer's burden compared to other certificates that require separate phone or account verification.

The three telecom companies stated, "We will expand the application of the PASS certificate not only to public services but also to many companies to enhance customer convenience."

The Payco certificate does not require plugin installation or complicated password input previously needed for authentication. Users can access the year-end tax settlement service on the National Tax Service site using fingerprint or pattern input.

Payco certificate is the first private certification authority to establish an electronic signature certification system and certification center based on international standard technology. It also supports lifelong management of authentication records through blockchain technology cooperation with Samsung SDS.

NHN Payco said, "We see this selection as a milestone for rapidly expanding the use of Payco certificates in private and public institutions," adding, "Payco authentication will establish itself as a lifestyle-oriented authentication service deeply integrated into daily life, finance, and public sectors."

Meanwhile, the 'Public Sector Electronic Signature Pilot Project' is a project promoted to introduce private electronic signature services early on major public websites along with the enforcement of the amended Electronic Signature Act. After announcing candidate operators in October, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety conducted on-site inspections and evaluations and finally selected five pilot operators on the 21st: Kakao, PASS, Korea Information Certificate (Samsung PASS), KB Kookmin Bank, and NHN Payco.