RaonSecure to develop the Korean Digital Driver’s License
Key Takeaways
RaonSecure to develop the South Korea’s first digital ID card after winning the order for the development of the mobile driver’s license that will be used nationwide
RaonSecure formed a consortium with LG CNS to implement a blockchain-based next-generation identification system
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RaonSecure, a leading IT integrated security and authentication company publicly traded in Korea and a branch of RAON, announced on June 24th that it has been selected as the final operator of the ‘Mobile Driver’s License Service Development Project’ commissioned by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS) and Korea Minting, Security Printing &ID Card Operating Corporation (KOMSCO). RaonSecure formed a consortium with LG CNS to win the state-led project, which is one of the key businesses of the Korean government’s Digital New Deal as it is the Korea’s first digital ID card.
The development of the digital driver’s license was ordered by the KOMSCO and the MOIS. The latter was looking for a solution enabling the use of digital ID cards via smartphones to implement the dual identity verification system with offline physical identification and online certificate-based identification. In the process, a blockchain-based DID technology was implemented to enhance security and convenience of the mobile ID technology while solving the problems of the existing centralized identification system.
Unlike centralized identification systems that store all personally identifiable information on the issuing agency or service provider’s servers, the DID technology removes the risk of massive information leakage as users’ data are securely stored in the secure element of their devices. It also allows the realization of Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) as individuals can take back control over their personal information.
The stability of the RaonSecure’s DID-based mobile ID service has already been proven last year through the introduction of the Mobile ID Card service for government officials, a pilot project for digital identification cards ran by the MOIS. The Mobile ID Card service was developed through a consortium formed by LG CNS, SysOne, and RaonSecure, and started to issue and operate services for central government officials from January 2021.
The Mobile driver’s license, which is scheduled to be developed by the end of this year, is the Korea’s first digital national ID card that can be used as the existing plastic driver’s license and that will be issued by the National Police Agency on smartphones. In other words, it can be used everywhere the driver’s license is currently accepted, including in online environments where drivers’ licenses are accepted as a non-face-to-face identification means. Thus, through this digital ID, users will be able to use their mobile driver’s licenses issued in mobile wallets for age or identity verification when accessing various private online and offline services such as shopping, car rental, travel, digital content, etc.
Upon issuance by the National Police Agency, the mobile driver’s license will be sent to users’ smartphones in real time and securely stored in their devices. The security of the project will be enhanced through the implementation of a blockchain-based DID technology, preventing data forgery and falsification while enabling Korean’s drivers to provide only necessary information when accessing services. In this regard, RaonSecure will provide the DID technology that will be deployed and the company will issue and verify mobile driver’s licenses in this project. By leveraging the DID platform OmniOne, RaonSecure will provide identity verification service that combines FIDO biometric authentication and blockchain DID technology, implementing the next-generation identification system.
OmniOne has already been recognized for the reliability and stability of its DID technology as the platform has successfully been implemented in a variety of public and financial use cases such as in the development of the Mobile ID Card service for government officials. OmniOne also serves as the foundational technology for ADI Association, a non-profit foundation that leads the global standardization of Decentralized Identity, and DID Alliance, an organization aiming at supporting the use of decentralized identity in Korea.
To enhance access to the mobile drivers’ licenses through private services, RaonSecure and LG CNS signed MOUs with the Korea Financial Telecommunications and Clearings Institute, Nonghyup Bank, Woori Bank, Shinhan Card, Nice Information and Telecommunications and KST Intelligence.
“RaonSecure’s blockchain-based DID technology is being recognized once again by winning the Mobile Driver’s License Development Project and being able to develop the first digital ID card to be used by the entire nation, ” said Soonhyung Lee, the CEO of RaonSecure. He added that “through DID technology, which prevents data to be falsified and tampered while enabling users to realize their SSI, all citizens will be able to enjoy the next-generation identity verification services in a safer and more convenient manner than the existing system. Based on advanced DID technology, RaonSecure will continue to lead the next generation identification market to fit with the needs of a constantly changing world.”
