4 Million Mobile ID Issuances... 3 Out of 10 Holders Have Driver's Licenses

Mobile ID Issuance After 2 Years
Enables Electronic Signature for e-Government Services

Since the launch of the mobile driver's license in July 2022, the fully implemented mobile ID has surpassed 4 million issuances within two years of its introduction.

According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety on the 18th, most of the 4 million mobile IDs issued over the past two years are mobile driver's licenses, accounting for 30% of all driver's license holders. This means that 3 out of 10 driver's license holders have obtained a mobile ID.

The mobile ID can be used to verify identity or submit identity information at public institutions, financial institutions, airports, restaurants, convenience stores, and more. Previously, mobile IDs lacked electronic signature functionality, so they could not be used for certain e-government services or online document issuance. However, starting next year, electronic signature features will be introduced, allowing mobile IDs to be used for various e-government services such as moving-in notifications and passport reissuance applications.

However, there are concerns that some teenagers might forge or misuse mobile IDs to purchase alcoholic beverages and cigarettes during the winter break after the college entrance exam. As a result, some small business owners require physical IDs only, citing difficulties in verifying the authenticity of mobile IDs, since providing alcohol to minors can lead to business suspension penalties.

How to Verify Mobile ID. Provided by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety plans to collaborate with the Small Enterprise and Market Service to guide small business owners on how to distinguish between mobile IDs and fake IDs, making identity verification easier. First, mobile IDs are legal identification based on law and are implemented with the same image as physical IDs. They include features such as a dynamic Taegeuk pattern image, hologram display, effects showing resident registration number and address by shaking the phone, and real-time date and time display, allowing visual verification of the ID’s authenticity to a certain extent.

Additionally, expansion of private online services for overseas Koreans is under consideration. Until now, the mobile overseas Korean identity verification certificate could only be used in public online services such as Government24, Consular Service 365, Apostille, and the Military Manpower Administration. However, starting in December, it will be linked with private services, enabling overseas Koreans to use mobile overseas Korean identity verification certificates for private admission services that verify eligibility.

Lee Yong-seok, Director of the Digital Government Innovation Office, stated, "Mobile IDs are transforming citizens' lives by not only replacing traditional ID verification but also enabling mobile identity verification and integration with private apps in various fields." He added, "We will continue to expand linked services so that citizens can conveniently use many services with their mobile IDs."