"Must Bring Valid ID When Boarding Plane During Seollal Holiday"

On the 30th, amid ongoing concerns about the COVID-19 Omicron variant, overseas arrivals are waiting at Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Hyun-seok] Korea Airports Corporation announced on the 27th that starting from the 28th, when the Lunar New Year holiday begins, the revised Aviation Security Act will be enforced, requiring passengers to carry a valid ID when boarding planes at 14 airports nationwide.

The new Aviation Security Act specifies the scope of identification documents to verify identity in order to prevent illegal boarding and strengthen anti-terrorism measures. It includes a penalty clause of up to 10 years imprisonment for using forged or altered IDs, such as using someone else's ID.

The identity verification procedure when boarding an aircraft has not changed significantly. However, passengers cannot board using an "expired ID" or a "copy of an ID." Passengers under 19 years old and those aged 70 or older must also carry identification documents.

Valid identification documents include passports, resident registration cards, driver's licenses (including international driver's licenses), disability registration cards, and foreigner registration cards. Passengers under 19 can verify their identity with documents such as resident registration extracts, family relation certificates, student IDs, or youth IDs.

Additionally, identity verification can be conveniently done using information and communication devices such as the Mobile Government24 app, mobile driver's licenses, or by registering with Korea Airports Corporation's "Bio-information Identity Verification Service."

The "Bio-information Identity Verification Service" allows passengers who have registered biometric information at nine airports, including Gimpo Airport, to use dedicated lanes at airports nationwide for faster and more convenient boarding.

This service is available for those aged 7 and older, and only requires a valid ID at the time of initial registration. After registration, passengers can verify their identity without carrying an ID.

Son Chang-wan, CEO of Korea Airports Corporation, said, "Identity verification is necessary when using airports to prevent illegal boarding and terrorism on aircraft," and added, "We will do our best to ensure customers can use airports with peace of mind through thorough quarantine and active use of non-face-to-face services."

Detailed information about valid IDs required for domestic flight boarding and bio-information registration can be found on the Korea Airports Corporation website or via the KakaoTalk chatbot (Mureoboan).