The Broadcast Media Communications Commission said on June 30 it will fully implement online issuance of I-PINs for teenagers aged 14 and older. It is working with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the task force for expanding public MyData services, the Korea Association for ICT Promotion (KAIT) and three I-PIN issuers including NICE Information Service, Seoul Credit Rating and Korea Credit Bureau.

An I-PIN is an internet personal identification number that replaces a resident registration number. It was introduced to reduce damage from personal data leaks.

Previously, teenagers aged 14 and older who did not have a mobile phone in their own name or a joint or financial certificate could not obtain one online. They had to visit an issuing institution in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul, in person. Teenagers living in remote areas or outside the capital often had to spend more than a day to obtain one.

To address this, the commission expanded the application of the public MyData family relation certificate service to teenagers aged 14 and older. The service had been used to verify legal guardians when issuing I-PINs to children under 14. With legal guardian consent, teenagers can now obtain an I-PIN immediately online even without a mobile phone in their own name.

Chairman Kim Jong-cheol (김종철) said, "I hope this service improvement will help increase online accessibility for teenagers who had been in a digital blind spot and serve as an opportunity to build an inclusive digital environment." He added, "We will continue to identify difficulties faced by vulnerable groups in using identity verification services and create an environment where everyone can use services safely without discrimination."