Korea to introduce redesigned residence cards this weekend

The new foreigner residence card (right) that will be issued starting Saturday and the current ID card (left). [MINISTRY OF JUSTICE]

The Ministry of Justice will issue foreigner ID cards with new designs and functions starting Saturday.

The change applies to all residence cards, regardless of visa type.

The new ID cards will have a QR code so that the holder's personal information such as name, registration number, home country, which visa they are on and issue date can be read digitally.

The holder's gender will not be printed on the card. Instead, the seventh digit of the registration number will be used to indicate gender, with either five or seven given to males and either six or eight to females.

Photos will be printed in color instead of black and white. The photo will also be larger than on the previous registration cards.

Foreigners who currently have an ID card but wish to get a new one can apply at their local immigration office. Holders must return existing IDs and pay a 30,000 won ($23) fee. It is not mandatory to update an existing card.

BY LEE TAE-HEE [lee.taehee2@joongang.co.kr]