Travel certificates to replace passport lost abroad to be issued on real time

Starting December 6, it won’t be needed to submit documentary evidence such as resident registration papers or family registration papers to Korean diplomatic establishments abroad when you apply for issuance of passport.

Moreover, you do not have to go through all the complex procedures when you ask for issuance of travel certificates in case you lose your passport in foreign countries. Up until now, identification confirmation procedures in such case have taken around three or four days, but the task will be carried out on the spot from now on.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade noted November 30 that it plans to operate ‘e-Consul’ program, through which all the details regarding civil affairs can be freely referred to and processed. The program will be operated in 67 Korean diplomatic and consular offices abroad excluding those in some of Asian countries and Middle East and African countries starting from December 6.

An official from the ministry added that those who are going to apply for relevant service can see how the task is being processed in regard to passport, military service, family registration and nationality at the ministry’s web site, www.mofat.go.kr. 02-2100-7191

Hyong-gwon Pu bookum90@donga.com