Fingerprints to be Checked When Difficult to Identify Person by Photos before Issuance

The identification procedure for those who wish to issue a registered seal certificate will strengthen considerably.

On January 11, at the Central Government Complex on Sejongno, Seoul, government officials agreed on an “Enforcement Ordinance for Registered Seal,” allowing thumb fingerprints to be taken and matched to the print on the resident registration database when it is difficult to identify the filer (the person of the registered seal) or the applicant (the proxy requesting the certificate) at a Cabinet meeting held by Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan.

The measure was pushed forward after field officials pointed out that it was becoming more and more difficult to identify a person through the picture on the ID card when issuing registered seal certificates due to the pervasive trend of plastic surgeries and the advancement of photograph-modifying technology.

Yong-Gwan Jung yongari@donga.com