Resident registration number (South Korea)
Encyclopedia
A resident registration number (Korean
: 주민등록번호 Jumin Deungrok Beonho, Hanja
: 住民登錄番號) is a 13-digit number issued to all residents of the Republic of Korea. Similar to national identification number
s in other countries, it is used to identify people in various private transactions such as in banking and employment. It is also used extensively for online identification purposes. Upon registration with their city office, foreigners (except those affiliated with the U.S. military) receive an alien registration number, which serves as a substitute, on their alien registration card
.
The first six digits signify the person's date of birth. For example, a person born on September 1, 1946, such as former President Roh Moo-Hyun
, would have 460901 for the first six digits.
s, the seventh digit, indicates the sex and the century in which the person was born. The code used for each category follows:
bbbb, the eighth through eleventh digit, signify a code for the person's place of birth:
n, the 12th digit, is a sequential number used to differentiate those of the same sex born on the same day in the same location.
c, the 13th digit, is a check digit
, used to verify that the number has been transcribed correctly. It is generated from the rest of the digits.
, rather than allowing anonymous registration. Because only a few large websites allow alternate means of identification, such as an alien registration number or passport
number, foreigners cannot use many South Korean websites.
The principal means of authenticating
a valid resident registration number is to use an algorithm
to check the last digit against what it should be based upon the rest of the digits entered.
There is an alternative for the online use of Resident Registration Number called i-PIN
(Internet Personal Identification Number) for South Korean internet users.
and other fraud
. For example, it was found that former South Korean president
Roh Moo-Hyun's resident registration number was used to gain access to hundreds of pornographic websites, as well as to register accounts on a number of entertainment and gaming web sites. Complaints about identity theft led the South Korean government to implement stiff penalties for using someone else's resident registration number. Offenders are eligible to serve 3 years in jail or to be imposed a 10,000,000 ₩ fine.
Korean language
Korean is the official language of the country Korea, in both South and North. It is also one of the two official languages in the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture in People's Republic of China. There are about 78 million Korean speakers worldwide. In the 15th century, a national writing...
: 주민등록번호 Jumin Deungrok Beonho, Hanja
Hanja
Hanja is the Korean name for the Chinese characters hanzi. More specifically, it refers to those Chinese characters borrowed from Chinese and incorporated into the Korean language with Korean pronunciation...
: 住民登錄番號) is a 13-digit number issued to all residents of the Republic of Korea. Similar to national identification number
National identification number
A national identification number, national identity number, or national insurance number is used by the governments of many countries as a means of tracking their citizens, permanent residents, and temporary residents for the purposes of work, taxation, government benefits, health care, and other...
s in other countries, it is used to identify people in various private transactions such as in banking and employment. It is also used extensively for online identification purposes. Upon registration with their city office, foreigners (except those affiliated with the U.S. military) receive an alien registration number, which serves as a substitute, on their alien registration card
Alien registration card
An alien registration card may refer to:*Alien registration in Japan*Resident registration number *Permanent residence...
.
Components
The resident registration number consists of 13 digits, with each block serving a certain function, as illustrated below:- yymmdd-sbbbbnc
The first six digits signify the person's date of birth. For example, a person born on September 1, 1946, such as former President Roh Moo-Hyun
Roh Moo-hyun
Roh Moo-hyun GOM GCB was the 16th President of South Korea .Roh's pre-presidential political career was focused on human rights advocacy for student activists in South Korea. His electoral career later expanded to a focus on overcoming regionalism in South Korean politics, culminating in his...
, would have 460901 for the first six digits.
s, the seventh digit, indicates the sex and the century in which the person was born. The code used for each category follows:
- 1: male Korean citizens (born 1900 - 1999)
- 2: female Korean citizens (born 1900 - 1999)
- 3: male Korean citizens (born 2000 - 2099)
- 4: female Korean citizens (born 2000 - 2099)
- 5: male foreign citizens residing in Korea (born 1900 - 1999)
- 6: female foreign citizens residing in Korea (born 1900 - 1999)
- 7: male foreign citizens residing in Korea (born 2000 - 2099)
- 8: female foreign citizens residing in Korea (born 2000 - 2099)
bbbb, the eighth through eleventh digit, signify a code for the person's place of birth:
n, the 12th digit, is a sequential number used to differentiate those of the same sex born on the same day in the same location.
c, the 13th digit, is a check digit
Check digit
A check digit is a form of redundancy check used for error detection, the decimal equivalent of a binary checksum. It consists of a single digit computed from the other digits in the message....
, used to verify that the number has been transcribed correctly. It is generated from the rest of the digits.
Online use
Many South Korean websites require the submission of a valid resident registration number in order for users to register an account. This practice ties each registered account to a unique online identityOnline identity
An online identity, internet identity, or internet persona is a social identity that an Internet user establishes in online communities and websites...
, rather than allowing anonymous registration. Because only a few large websites allow alternate means of identification, such as an alien registration number or passport
Passport
A passport is a document, issued by a national government, which certifies, for the purpose of international travel, the identity and nationality of its holder. The elements of identity are name, date of birth, sex, and place of birth....
number, foreigners cannot use many South Korean websites.
The principal means of authenticating
Authentication
Authentication is the act of confirming the truth of an attribute of a datum or entity...
a valid resident registration number is to use an algorithm
Algorithm
In mathematics and computer science, an algorithm is an effective method expressed as a finite list of well-defined instructions for calculating a function. Algorithms are used for calculation, data processing, and automated reasoning...
to check the last digit against what it should be based upon the rest of the digits entered.
There is an alternative for the online use of Resident Registration Number called i-PIN
I-PIN
i-PIN is a "commercial" alternative to the Resident Registration Number used in South Korea for on-line identification...
(Internet Personal Identification Number) for South Korean internet users.
Fraud
The widespread requirement of a valid resident registration number to create an account on many South Korean websites presents many opportunities for identity theftIdentity theft
Identity theft is a form of stealing another person's identity in which someone pretends to be someone else by assuming that person's identity, typically in order to access resources or obtain credit and other benefits in that person's name...
and other fraud
Fraud
In criminal law, a fraud is an intentional deception made for personal gain or to damage another individual; the related adjective is fraudulent. The specific legal definition varies by legal jurisdiction. Fraud is a crime, and also a civil law violation...
. For example, it was found that former South Korean president
President of South Korea
The President of the Republic of Korea is, according to the Constitution of the Republic of Korea, chief executive of the government, commander-in-chief of the armed forces, and the head of state of the Republic of Korea...
Roh Moo-Hyun's resident registration number was used to gain access to hundreds of pornographic websites, as well as to register accounts on a number of entertainment and gaming web sites. Complaints about identity theft led the South Korean government to implement stiff penalties for using someone else's resident registration number. Offenders are eligible to serve 3 years in jail or to be imposed a 10,000,000 ₩ fine.