Paid 15,000 Won for Issuance
But Banks and Card Companies Still Unable to Use
Legal Basis Needed Such as Road Traffic Act
Poor Registration Guidance Leads to Giving Up
[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] Mr. Minhwa Lee (32, pseudonym) presented his mobile driver's license for identity verification while conducting business at a bank. However, the staff said, "The bank does not have a system to keep copies, so please provide your plastic driver's license."
Mr. Lee stated, "It seems there are still limitations to using it as an ID in daily life," and added, "It was not even utilized for non-face-to-face financial transactions." Mr. Hoonnam Kim (37, pseudonym) paid 15,000 won on the 28th of last month to obtain a mobile driver's license. However, he wasted 30 minutes during the app installation and IC driver's license registration process due to a lack of guidance on the 'basic mode.'
Ms. Minseon Hwang (34, pseudonym) also tried to get a mobile driver's license after hearing the news but gave up due to insufficient step-by-step instructions.
Although a week has passed since the mobile driver's license era began, confusion is arising due to system errors and usage restrictions. The mobile driver's license is a driver's license issued via smartphone and holds the same legal effect as a plastic driver's license. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the National Police Agency announced on the 28th of last month, "From this day, issuance will begin at all driver's license test centers and police stations nationwide." However, the mobile driver's license is currently being pilot-operated in two test centers and 14 police stations across two regions, Seoul and Daejeon. A total of 58,646 mobile driver's licenses were issued from January to June this year.
Its usage is more limited compared to plastic driver's licenses. It has been found difficult to use at banks, securities firms, insurance companies, and card companies. SC First Bank and the Korea Development Bank plan to introduce mobile driver's license systems starting in the second half of this year.
Legal requirements must also be met. The National Assembly Legislative Research Office stated, "Considering that the mobile driver's license has the same legal effect as the plastic license, it is necessary to review establishing the operational basis in the 'Road Traffic Act' through the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's ordinances," adding, "The matters to be delegated by administrative legislation and the specific scope should be stipulated by law." There are concerns that demand will be low if convenience services are not expanded.
The National Police Agency expects the issuance of mobile driver's licenses to gradually increase. A police official said, "Recently, among those who obtained driver's licenses at test centers nationwide, 5 out of 10 applied for mobile driver's licenses," and predicted, "Additional issuance will continue as convenience expands."
The National Police Agency anticipates 1.5 million mobile driver's license issuances next year. Meanwhile, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety plans to continuously promote the establishment and operation of a mobile ID platform after 2022 to introduce mobile IDs usable for online and offline identity verification services in various fields, including national merit certificates, resident registration cards, and foreigner registration cards.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
