Take Only Your 'Phone' to the Bank... Nationwide Issuance of Mobile Resident Registration Cards Begins

Issuance Now Available in Seoul, Busan, and Gwangju
Online Applications Possible Starting on the 28th
Private App 'Samsung Wallet' to Open in April

Mobile resident registration cards can now be issued at resident centers nationwide. Starting from the 28th, applications will be possible at local government offices other than the registered address.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the Digital Platform Government Committee announced on the 13th that from the 14th, mobile resident registration cards can be applied for at resident centers in Seoul, Busan, and Gwangju. The issuance of mobile resident registration cards began in Sejong last December and has been gradually expanded to other regions. While applications were previously only possible at resident centers in the jurisdiction of the registered address, from the 28th, applications can be made at any resident center regardless of address, as well as online through the 'Government24' platform.

Starting in April, mobile resident registration cards will be usable not only through the 'Republic of Korea Mobile ID' app but also via the private app 'Samsung Wallet.' Additionally, five private companies selected as participants in the private sector opening?namely ▲Kookmin Bank ▲Naver ▲NongHyup Bank ▲Viva Republica (Toss) ▲Kakao and Kakao Bank consortium?will also enable the use of mobile IDs through their private apps.

The mobile resident registration card holds the same legal effect as the physical resident registration card. It can be used wherever the current resident registration card is accepted, including government offices, banks, airports, hospitals, convenience stores, and elections. Integration with systems at 15 banks has already been completed.

For security, the mobile resident registration card can only be issued to one smartphone registered under the individual's name. The issuance process requires visiting a resident center, identity verification, and biometric authentication. In case of smartphone loss, reporting it will trigger a lock on the issued mobile resident registration card through coordination with the telecommunications company, immediately rendering it unusable.

Ko Gi-dong, Acting Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, stated, "We have prepared so that citizens can use the mobile resident registration card conveniently and with peace of mind as issuance expands nationwide." He added, "We will continue to discover and expand various innovative services utilizing mobile IDs through close cooperation with related agencies and private sector participants."