When purchasing alcohol and tobacco, adult verification can be done not only with a physical identification card but also with the government certified 'mobile identification card.' On the 14th, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and HiteJinro announced that they would strengthen promotions to allow store owners to verify and use the government certified mobile identification card at their business location in Seoul's Seocho district.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety explained that this agreement was initiated due to the increasing number of young people who carry only their smartphones without wallets. This is because incidents of being unable to purchase age-restricted items such as alcohol and tobacco without a physical identification card are frequently occurring.
According to the agreement, HiteJinro plans to distribute 1.5 million bottles of its Soju with labels promoting the mobile identification card across the country starting from the end of this month. Additionally, promotional posters and manuals on how to verify the authenticity of the mobile identification card will also be distributed to small business owners.
Store owners can check whether the government certified mobile identification card features anti-counterfeiting technology. Unlike fake mobile identification cards, the government certified mobile identification card has some elements in the background with animation effects, and the light shape around the identification card reacts and moves according to the tilt of the smartphone.
A Ministry of the Interior and Safety official noted that if the mobile identification card allows for accurate verification of adult status without a wallet, it is expected to have a positive effect on increasing sales for small business owners and stated, 'We will actively ensure that the mobile identification card, which has the same legal effect as a physical identification card, can be widely utilized.'
Starting at the end of July, this mobile identification card can be accessed through private applications as well. In addition to Samsung Wallet, which has been in service since March of last year, services are expected to commence from the end of this month in KB Star Banking, Naver, NH AllOne Bank, Toss, and KakaoBank.