Costa Rica Leaps Towards Digital IDs with Korean Expertise

The Korea Minting, Security Printing & ID Card Operating Corporation (KOMSCO) has joined forces with Costa Rica to usher in a new era of digital identification. This collaboration promises to leverage Korea’s advanced technology and expertise to boost Costa Rica’s digital transformation efforts.

A Meeting of Minds

On March 19, in the heart of Seoul, KOMSCO CEO Sung Chang-hoon welcomed Orlando Vega Quesada, Costa Rica’s Vice Minister of Science, Innovation, Technology, and Telecommunication, for a pivotal discussion. The rendezvous centered around Korea’s digital government advancements and the revolutionary K-DID, a blockchain-based mobile ID system designed to ensure the secure storage of personal information on users’ mobile devices.

Korea’s Digital ID Milestones

Korea’s journey towards digital identification has been marked by significant milestones. The journey began with the introduction of mobile public officer IDs in 2020, followed by the integration of driver’s licenses in 2022, and the issuance of veteran certifications in 2023. With ambitious plans to implement mobile national IDs for all citizens aged 17 and above by next year, Korea is setting the pace for a fully digitized society.

Philippines: A Budding Partnership

The Philippine government’s active engagement with Korea on the K-DID initiative underscores the system’s potential to enhance the reliability and transparency of digital government systems globally. This budding partnership is a testament to the growing international interest in Korea’s digital ID solutions.

Costa Rica’s Digital Ambition

As an OECD member, Costa Rica is committed to a comprehensive digital transformation that aims to catalyze digital economic growth and foster social cohesion. The country is laying the groundwork for this ambitious transformation by updating laws and regulations to support the rollout of digital IDs for its citizens.

KOMSCO: A Beacon of Digital Innovation

Under CEO Sung Chang-hoon’s leadership, KOMSCO has emerged as a paragon of digital transformation, setting a precedent for other state-run entities within Korea. The organization’s success story is a powerful endorsement of the potential benefits of digital IDs.

The K-DID Model: A Game Changer for Costa Rica

Adopting the K-DID model could position Costa Rica favorably in the international digital government assessment conducted by the OECD. This move would not only revolutionize the country’s ID system but also bolster its standing on the global digital stage.

Collaboration in Action

KOMSCO’s spokesperson revealed that plans are underway to tailor the collaboration with Costa Rica, drawing from Korea’s extensive experience in establishing and operating mobile IDs. This partnership marks a significant milestone in the global march towards digital governance and identity verification, promising a future where personal information is securely managed and effortlessly accessed.