Government Expands Introduction of 'Digital Student ID' for International Students, One-Stop Benefits from Library Access to Discounts

The government is expanding the introduction of the 'Digital Student ID' to assist international students in settling down and enhancing their convenience in daily life, while accelerating the digital transition in the education sector. This initiative was established to address the drawbacks of the existing plastic student ID, which takes time to issue and has a high risk of loss, aiming to build an integrated platform that allows users to enjoy various benefits and identity verification with just a smartphone.

The newly introduced digital student ID is becoming an essential tool for campus life, going beyond simple identity verification. International students can now freely access major campus facilities such as libraries, seat assignments, electronic attendance, and dormitory access through a smartphone app without needing a physical card. This not only simplifies administrative procedures but is also expected to help international students adapt to school life more quickly.

Particularly noteworthy are the various discount benefits that continue outside of school. The government and related agencies are working on providing discounts for cultural facilities such as museums and art galleries through the digital student ID, as well as linking it to essential services like public transport and convenience stores to alleviate the financial burden on international students. This is also positively evaluated as it offers international students the opportunity to experience Korean culture more broadly.

Officials from the Ministry of Education and related departments emphasized that this digital transition will be a crucial factor in enhancing the competitiveness of attracting international students. Once the digital student ID system is established, not only will the efficiency of managing international students increase, but it will also enable the establishment of data-driven tailored support policies. The government plans to continue expanding digital infrastructure to resolve the inconveniences faced by international students in their daily lives.