South Korea To Roll Out Blockchain-based Identity: Report

The South Korean government will launch digital blockchain-based IDs via citizens’ phones as it prepares for post-pandemic era

article-image

Seoul, South Korea | Source: Shutterstock

share
  • Citizens will be able to access their digital IDs via their smartphones
  • The tech-savvy nation ranks highest among developed markets for smartphone use

South Korea plans to leverage blockchain technology for the use of digital identity cards as the country pivots towards a post-COVID-19 era of remote work and online verification processes.

The country’s government will allow citizens to verify their identity via digital IDs embedded into their smartphones, replacing Korea’s resident registration cards by 2024, Bloomberg reported Sunday.

It comes as South Korea — one of the most digitally developed countries globally — seeks to bolster economic growth following the pandemic. The country was among the most significantly impacted among developed nations.

According to a recent report by the United Nations Conference on Trade Development, the pandemic accelerated the shift toward digitization. As such, cybersecurity concerns are front and center in an increasingly hostile environment safe storage of sensitive data.

Blockchain-based IDs are one attempt to alleviate some of that strain placed on countries seeking to bolster their defense against cyberattacks which have, at times, wreaked havoc across Europe, the US and Australia.

The initiative will leverage the benefits of storing user data in a decentralized manner while keeping citizens’ phone data, including how and where they use their digital IDs, private from the government, per the report.

South Koreans rank as some of the most technologically-savvy individuals across the globe.

Research conducted by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s Program for International Student Assessment in 2011 showed its younger generation topped other nations for use of online learning.

South Korea also ranks at the top for smartphone ownership, with roughly 96% of all Individuals of any age owning at least one smartphone and using it at least once per month. The US stands at roughly 80% on the same metric.


Get the news in your inbox. Explore Blockworks newsletters:

Tags

Decoding crypto and the markets. Daily, with Byron Gilliam.

Upcoming Events

Javits Center North | 445 11th Ave

Tues - Thurs, March 24 - 26, 2026

Blockworks’ Digital Asset Summit (DAS) will feature conversations between the builders, allocators, and legislators who will shape the trajectory of the digital asset ecosystem in the US and abroad.

Old Billingsgate

Mon - Wed, October 13 - 15, 2025

Blockworks’ Digital Asset Summit (DAS) will feature conversations between the builders, allocators, and legislators who will shape the trajectory of the digital asset ecosystem in the US and abroad.

recent research

Unlocked by Template (1).jpg

Research

As AI supercharges surveillance, privacy becomes a prerequisite and the winning stack will combine confidentiality with selective disclosure. Zcash’s Tachyon, composable standards on Ethereum/Solana, and compliance-aware pools aim to make private rails the new norm.

article-image

Swiss regulator Gespa is assessing whether FIFA’s tokenized ticket sales for the 2026 World Cup violate gambling laws

by Blockworks /
article-image

The deal gives Ondo Finance SEC-registered broker-dealer, ATS, and transfer agent licenses to operate regulated tokenized securities markets

by Blockworks /
article-image

Ethereum and Solana funds mark industry first as Grayscale adds staking to spot crypto products

by Blockworks /
article-image

US bitcoin ETFs that seen more than $2.2 billion of net inflows over the last four trading days

by Blockworks /
article-image

More than 75 million U.S. Galaxy owners gain integrated Coinbase One access through Samsung Wallet, with global rollout planned

by Blockworks /
article-image

The central bank signed agreements with firms for fraud, payments, and app services ahead of a potential launch

by Blockworks /