In response to a growing number of young adults who carry only smartphones, the South Korean government is promoting the use of its certified mobile identification card for verifying age when purchasing alcohol and tobacco. The mobile ID holds the same legal status as a physical card, and officials say it could boost small business sales by making age verification easier and more accessible.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety and HiteJinro announced a campaign in Seoul’s Seocho district to raise awareness among retailers. The initiative includes 1.5 million bottles of Soju labeled with mobile ID promotion and guides for store owners on verifying ID authenticity using anti-counterfeiting features like animated backgrounds and tilt-responsive effects.
Starting late July, mobile ID access will expand beyond Samsung Wallet to include platforms like KB Star Banking, Naver, NH AllOne Bank, Toss, and KakaoBank.