This Government Agency to Issue Staff with Blockchain IDs, Reward Tokens

Adoption Blockchain South Korea Tokenization

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Tim Alper

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Tim Alper

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Tim Alper is a British journalist and features writer who has worked at Cryptonews.com since 2018. He has written for media outlets such as the BBC, the Guardian, and Chosun Ilbo. He has also worked...

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June 26, 2023 06:55 EDT

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Blockchain-powered employee authentication is taking off in South Korea – with a government agency doing away with smart cards in favor of smartphone-based solutions. The agency will also issue its employees with blockchain-powered “reward” tokens.

Per news agency Yonhap, the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA) will officially become the first public institution in the country to launch a companywide blockchain-powered mobile employee ID system next month – following similar moves in the private sector.

Commercial bank Nonghyup (NH Bank) introduced a platform named Mobile Employee ID, also making use of blockchain technology, in conjunction with telecom giant SK, back in February.

KISA’s system will allow employees to either use near field communication (NFC) technology – a feature of most modern smartphones – or scannable QR codes to gain access to their workplaces via a blockchain platform.

The agency will also require employees to use the new ID platform when borrowing books from company libraries or gaining access to the agency’s cafeterias and coffee shops.

KISA added that rewards for outstanding employees would be issued using a tentatively named KISA Coin, which would allow staff to purchase office supplies, snacks and beverages using the new blockchain-powered tokens.

The agency will roll out its mobile employee ID cards at its Naju headquarters by the end of October, and then to its offices in Seoul and Pangyo offices before the end of the year.

NH, SK and KISA are all part of a large consortium comprising some of the nation’s biggest companies – all working with government ministries to implement a nationwide, cross-industry blockchain-based authentication platform that will make use of telecom networks, smartphone technology and banking platforms. The aim is to do away with paper- and card-based ID in favor of smartphone-hosted solutions.

A blockchain-powered driver’s license, co-built by the nation’s police force, has also proven to be a major hit in the country, with many retailers accepting it in place of proof-of-age documentation.
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