Starting Next Year, Passport Information Accessible via Smartphone: Launch of the “Mobile Passport Information Verification Service”
In the near future, Korean citizens will no longer need to carry their physical passport to use it for identification purposes. With the government’s upcoming “Mobile Passport Information Verification Service,” passport data will soon be accessible anytime and anywhere directly through smartphones.
On the 24th, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) announced that citizens will be able to conveniently check their passport details and resident registration number via mobile apps, without presenting the actual passport. Once introduced, the service will allow individuals to prove their identity at hotels, during financial transactions, or in other everyday situations requiring identification—all with just their smartphone.
To enable this, MOFA revised the Enforcement Decree of the Passport Act in March, creating the necessary legal framework. Later, the initiative was selected as part of this year’s Open Digital Services program, ensuring strong institutional backing.
The Ministry will also collaborate with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the National Information Society Agency (NIA), and private-sector partners through a dedicated consultative body to develop detailed service infrastructure and technical standards. The official service is targeted to launch in the first half of next year.
A government official explained, “The Mobile Passport Information Verification Service will mark an important step in digital transformation, enabling citizens to use their passport information more safely and conveniently. Security and trustworthiness will be prioritized so the public can use the service with confidence.”
Looking ahead, the service is expected to expand its usability across a wide range of private-sector apps and industries, including aviation, finance, and hospitality. Through this initiative, the government aims not only to enhance public convenience but also to align with global trends in digital passport adoption.
Inquiries: Passport Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (+82-2-2002-0184)
