Mobile Driver's License Launching in May... Expansion of 2nd-Year ICT Regulatory Sandbox

[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgina Jo] A mobile driver's license based on a smartphone application will be launched in May. This will enable convenient identity verification not only for using car-sharing services but also for purchasing alcohol and cigarettes at convenience stores.

The Ministry of Science and ICT held a briefing at the Government Seoul Office on the 30th to announce the 2020 ICT (Information and Communication Technology) Regulatory Sandbox promotion plan. The mobile driver's license service was designated as an ICT regulatory sandbox item last September. It is expected to reduce the possibility of misuse or loss of the existing plastic driver's license while also saving reissuance costs.

Jang Seok-young, the 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT, explained, "We will support the early market launch of mobile driver's licenses and taxi app meters," adding, "Based on the demonstration results, we will promote related legal revisions in the future."

Along with this, a "wristwatch-type electrocardiogram device-based heart management service," which can be worn like a watch to measure electrocardiograms, will also be launched. However, the Ministry of Science and ICT has limited its use to 2,000 cardiovascular patients who cannot receive treatment at primary medical institutions.

Additionally, the ministry plans to launch ▲ taxi app meters using GPS ▲ mobile currency exchange services ▲ housekeeping service platforms ▲ shared accommodation services ▲ mobile virtual reality horseback riding experience trucks within the first half of the year.

The Ministry of Science and ICT announced that during one year of operating the regulatory sandbox, it received 120 applications and processed a total of 102 cases with an 85% processing rate, including ▲ 62 expedited processes ▲ 18 temporary permits ▲ 22 demonstration exceptions. After seven review committee meetings, 40 new designations were made, and 16 cases led to market launches.

The regulatory sandbox is a system that exempts or defers unreasonable regulations for companies when new technologies are launched. The late-night taxi ride-sharing service Banban Taxi, launched in August last year, reportedly grew to 60,000 subscribers and 8,000 drivers. The 'administrative and public institution mobile electronic notification' service has saved 6.57 billion KRW in costs since its launch in April last year.

The Ministry of Science and ICT plans to discover representative regulatory sandbox projects in new industrial technology fields such as 5G application services and artificial intelligence (AI) convergence this year as well. Major unresolved issues include AI-based online eyeglass sales services and remote video-based general medicine vending machines.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.