Samsung SDS develops futuristic immigration tools

Samsung SDS has developed a new management system for Korea’s immigration authorities by incorporating smart chips that can read passports with biometric data embedded in them. The devices can also scan fingerprints and eyes. The project was one sought by the Institute of Information Technology Assessment, a research center under the Information Ministry, following a recommendation by the International Civil Aviation Organization. The “somatic immigrations authorization system” is a device that includes a camera for face recognition, a fingerprint scanner and a smart card reader. It speedily processes immigration tasks for those who have passports equipped with electronic chips containing biometric data and personal identification information. However, the government hasn’t said when it will make these kind of passports mandatory. “We hope to make this somatic passport a global standard,” said Samsung SDS PR official Park Jung-suk. Separately, Samsung SDS is the main developer of a new passport that is scheduled for release in November, upon the request of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The features of the new passport make it more difficult to forge, the company said. by Wohn Dong-hee