South Korea to launch ID cards based on blockchain technology

South Korean lawmakers are considering the introduction of digital identification (ID) based on blockchain technologies to replace physical identity cards. As Bloomberg has found out, the innovation may come into force in early 2024, as South Korea is actively integrating blockchain technologies into the country’s everyday life.

According to the plans of the South Korean government, digital identifiers will be built into the mobile phones of the country’s residents, and the ID system will work as a regular application, taking up a minimum of RAM. It is expected that about 45 million South Korean citizens will use digital cards in the first 2 years of the system’s launch.

According to Suh Bo-ram, Director General of the Korean Digital Government Bureau, the identification system will protect the personal data of South Koreans — the government will not have access to information stored on citizens' phones (including confidential data and IDs). Digital identifiers can be used in all government agencies in South Korea by presenting an electronic ID card if necessary.

A few days ago, it became known that the South Korean city of Seongnam offers its residents to obtain NFT citizenship. For this purpose, the city hall planned to fully recreate Seongnam in virtual reality to provide residents with access to a large amount of municipal information. According to the city administration, the authorities should complete the project by April 2023. The metaverse will start functioning in May or June next year.