[Korean Law Insights] Practical Changes in Korea You Should Know

[Published on December 23, 2025 edition of the "Korean Law Insights" column in the Korea Daily’s Economic Expert Section]

• Mobile Resident ID Introduced to Improve Convenience

• New Identity Verification Service for Overseas Koreans Launched

For Koreans residing in the United States, traveling to Korea to handle administrative or legal matters is often not easy. In addition, many overseas Koreans are not aware of changes to systems and procedures that are easily accessible to those living in Korea. As the year comes to a close, the following is a summary of key practical changes that were implemented or announced by the Korean government this year.

▶ The mobile resident registration ID can now be used with the same legal effect as the physical resident registration card, eliminating the need to carry the physical card. Nationwide issuance began in March 2025, and applications can now be submitted regardless of registered address—either at resident centers in other regions or through the gov.kr.

▶ To address difficulties in online identity verification on Korean websites due to the lack of a Korean mobile phone number, an official identity verification service for overseas Koreans was launched in March 2025. Applicants must have a resident registration number and meet certain requirements, such as holding a valid electronic passport and being registered as an overseas Korean. In principle, applications must be submitted in person at a Korean consulate.

▶ Starting in August 2025, if an applicant consents to the joint use of personal information, basic certificates no longer need to be submitted separately when applying for, changing, or reporting relocation under overseas Korean registration. However, if the application is handled by a representative, submission of a basic certificate is still required.

▶ An issue that long troubled overseas Koreans, including Korean Americans, regarding apostilles for National Pension benefit certificates has recently been resolved. These certificates are often required as proof for pension applications, employment history verification, or permanent residency applications in the country of residence and must be submitted with an apostille. In the past, online issuance was not available, forcing many to rely on relatives in Korea or agencies to apply on their behalf. However, as of November 27, 2025, apostille certificates can now be issued immediately online through the Korea Apostille website (apostille.go.kr) or the Overseas Koreans 365 Civil Service Portal (g4k.go.kr).

▶ The four-year grace period for the housing lease contract reporting system ended on May 31, 2025. For lease contracts entered into on or after June 1, 2025, failure to report a reportable contract, late reporting (beyond 30 days from the contract date), or false reporting may result in administrative fines of up to KRW 1,000,000. This is essential information for those renting out property in Korea or managing lease contracts on behalf of family members.

▶ Many overseas Koreans assume that notarization for matters such as real estate transactions, leases, powers of attorney, or inheritance documents in Korea requires traveling to Korea or visiting a consulate. However, through the Ministry of Justice’s electronic notarization system (including online and video notarization), overseas Koreans can receive notarization of private documents from abroad without leaving home. This system has been in place for several years, and usage instructions and updates are provided regularly through Korean consulates. Please note that prior registration as an overseas Korean and possession of a 공동인증서 (Korean digital certificate) are required, along with a device capable of video conferencing and a Korean form of identification (typically a resident registration card or driver’s license) for identity verification. Use of this service is restricted for foreign nationals.

▶Inquiries: (424)218-6562

Jin Hee Lee/K-Law Consulting Korean Attorney

[Reference link in original Korean]

https://www.koreadaily.com/article/20251223223001420