By Park Si-soo
Staff Reporter
The immigration office will launch an online system Tuesday that enables users to check the authenticity of ID cards issued to foreigners.
The system is meant to address a growing number of foreigners who fabricate ID cards for fraudulent deals and overstay their visas, the Korea Immigration Service (KIS) said Monday.
To do a check, the ID number and the date of issuance are required, the office said.
"Fabricated IDs have frequently been used to rent a house, car and open bank accounts, inflicting substantial damage to Korean citizens and dealing a blow to foreign residents here," an immigration office spokesman said.
"Basically, this is to protect Koreans but expats will also benefit from it because the system will help them restore confidence in making deals with domestic firms and people."
Forged IDs have also been used by those overstaying their visa or who are subject to deportation to avoid being seized, the spokesman added.
According to the Ministry of Justice, the number of fabricated IDs discovered has been on the rise.
In 2007, immigration officials confiscated 99 fake IDs, but they jumped to 199 last year. For the first seven months of this year, the number of confiscated cards had already topped 186, it said.
The international mail service has emerged as a new way to smuggle in such materials.
In 2007, authorities caught six Chinese and Taiwanese smuggling in 34 fake IDs through the service.
For the first seven months of the year, it has already arrested 17 people from China, the Philippines, Thailand and Sri Lanka for bringing in 42 fake IDs
KIS is monitoring travelers from China, Taiwan and Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines, Thailand and Sri Lanka. Criminals from these countries have brought in bogus ID cards.
To do a check, visit www.immigration.go.kr or www.hikorea.go.kr.