Foreigners can enter S.Korean casino without physical passport

Visitors to South Korea will be able to enjoy tax-free shopping and casino experiences with ease, thanks to the mobile passport identity verification service created by South Korean tech-fin company Lordsystem Co. This innovative platform streamlines the identity verification process for foreigners by allowing them to register their passport information and verify their identities through a simple mobile application.

The mobile passport identity verification service has been approved as a pilot project by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's "Industrial Convergence Regulatory Sandbox," and the technology digitizes passport data using decentralized identifier technology, providing users with a QR code after government agency verification.

This approval represents a major step forward in establishing a digital system for foreign tourists visiting Korea and aligns with the Grand Korea Leisure's Smart Pass access verification project.

The solution is expected to boost the domestic tourism industry by reducing the burden on duty-free shops to purchase passport readers and enhancing security. The platform also simplifies the refund process by eliminating the need for physical passport presentations.

"We are committed to leading the growth of the domestic duty-free market by pursuing collaboration with existing tax refund businesses and utilizing the company's unique mobile passport identity verification solution and service," said Lordsystem CEO Jang Yang Ho.

The company aims to expand the Smart Pass access verification system to other domestic casino operators and duty-free shops, developing a comprehensive casino solution that incorporates cashless drop and mobile comp prepaid card services. Lordsystem continues to work toward strengthening the mobile passport identity verification system to further promote the tourism industry.

Write to Kyung-ju Kang at qurasoha@hankyung.com