South Korea has announced the expansion of its mobile identification cards to its nationals and resident customers who are currently living overseas. 

Following this announcement, the mobile ID card service is set to be made available to Koreans who are residing outside of the country, aiming to solve their difficulties and challenges in accessing public solutions from abroad. 

In addition, this initiative is set to continue to focus on meeting the needs, preferences, and demands of clients and customers in an ever-evolving market, while also prioritising the process of remaining compliant with the regulatory requirements and laws of the industry. 

More information on the announcement

At the moment, most online platforms for administrative services require Korean customers to provide their phone numbers for verification, which means that some individuals continue to pay monthly phone bills in order to maintain their numbers active in the country. In order to receive a mobile ID Card, Korean nationals residing overseas will need to apply through diplomatic offices, including the Korean Ministry of Interior and Safety. 

As the United States, China, and Europe have become important players in standards and standardisation, Korean firms also have attempted to be among the first to adopt international requirements and demands. The government of South Korea introduced its ID mobile in 2022, with a mobile driver’s licence (mDL) being rolled out the same year. Furthermore, a year later, there was an issuing of mobile veterans registration cards, while the mobile ID cards for foreign residents in Korea are expected to be rolled out in the first half of 2025. 

Earlier this year, Samsung Wallet became the first privately-run mobile application to introduce mobile ID cards, including mobile driver’s licences and veteran cards. 

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