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A Study on the Privacy Issue and Instruction of the Process of Citizen' Electronic ID Card Project

  • Korean Society and Public Administration
  • Abbr : KSPA
  • 2005, 16(3), pp.225-249
  • Publisher : Seoul Association For Public Administration
  • Research Area : Social Science > Public Administration

Heonman Lim 1

1배재대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this paper is to consider privacy concerns regarding South Korea’s Electronic ID card project. In 1996 the South Korean government proposed the world's first computerized personal information system project called "Electronic Identification Card Project", but the government has withdrawn the electronic ID card project in 1999 in the wake of heavy protest. The issue of introducing electronic ID card have double side where one, it is beneficial that it provides administrative efficiency, while on the other, it has the danger of infringing upon private lives. It seems now, as the project to introduce electronic ID card has been rejected, that it has been a costly and time-consuming effort. However, it has shown us enough lessons of its own. First, it made us realize the necessity to be more aware of privacy issue in this Information Age. Second, it showed the government policy and projects must be implemented with more detailed study on public consensus and policy preparation. Even though the electronic ID card project has been abolished, there are many issues regarding privacy matter that was raised which deserves much attention from both the government and the public sector. As shown through the electronic ID card project, the privacy issue will continue to be an important agenda in the Information Age. The government must immediately bring necessary revision to the Personal Information Protection Act to ensure the citizen that the government is ready face the Information Age that respects the quality of life and dignity of the public. Along with such effort by the government, the public must have continuing interest in the privacy protection. Public must not wait until a law or a legislation is passed in the Parliament to begin criticizing and bring it into an end. Rather, the public must show interest from the early stage of planning to bring effective policy.

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