Pins replacing resident Nos. for ID usage

Koreans will be allowed to use a new cyberspace identification tool that will replace resident registration numbers, the 13-digit number given to anyone of Korean nationality from birth. The move is intended to protect private information. The Ministry of Information and Communication yesterday announced a way to replace resident registration numbers, which have been widely used as identification when signing up with Web sites. Internet users have complained about the safety of the system because exposure of the figures could make them the target of cyberspace crimes. The new Web identification measures, called “i-PIN,” became valid immediately after the government announcement yesterday. There will be five kinds of government-issued i-PINS. If a number is accidentally exposed, a user may get a new one reissued at any time. Said Seo Byung-jo, chief of the information protection planning committee at the Information Ministry: “Because the i-PIN system is not legally enforceable, each Web site is to decide whether to adopt it or not.” “However, Korea’s major game and portal sites, such as NCSoft and Naver, have notified us that they intend to enforce the system as soon as possible.” The ministry is considering issuing government certificates to boost adoption of the system among Korean Web site operators. Mr. Seo added that if many sites implement the system, the government may consider making it mandatory. by Seo Ji-eun