Overseas Koreans to be allowed to access digital services without local phone numbers

By Kim Dong-young Posted : July 18, 2024, 15:18 Updated : July 18, 2024, 15:18
Participants pose during a ceremony to launch a mobile ID system for overseas Koreans in Seoul on July 3, 2024. Yonhap
SEOUL, July 18 (AJU PRESS) - The Korea Internet and Security Agency (KISA) announced on Thursday that Korean citizens living abroad will soon be able to access domestic digital services, including banking, without maintaining a Korean mobile phone subscription.

KISA has signed an agreement with five major financial institutions and government bodies to allow overseas Koreans to use electronic signature authentication issued by these entities. The pilot service, set to launch by year-end, will enable those with a resident registration number to utilize electronic passport-based authentication through the institutions' applications.

Previously, Koreans abroad had to either visit diplomatic agents for in-person identity verification or maintain an active Korean mobile subscription for authentication purposes. The new system is expected to streamline access to various digital services for the Korean diaspora.

The initiative involves KB Kookmin Bank, Shinhan Bank, Woori Bank, Hana Bank, Viva Republica as well as the Presidential Committee on the Digital Platform Government and the Overseas Koreans Agency.

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