By Oh Hyun Woo and Kim Hwaya

Verification of a driver's identity through smartphones will be possible within the first half of next year.

The Korean National Police Agency (KNPA) on Oct. 2 announced that it signed a memorandum of understanding on a mobile driver's license service with the nation's top three Korean telecom carriers -- SK Telecom, KT and LG U+.

Using the quick response or bar code, the new service will allow a driver to simply to register his or her driver's license to the identity verification app. The license will then be connected to the KNPA and the Korea Expressway Corp.'s driver's license data verification system, allowing real-time checking of both the driver's identification and driving qualification.

The three carriers will apply security technology such as a blockchain, computer vaccine and security keypad as well as reinforce security for personal information.

The KNPA will also raise public convenience by adding more functions to the new service, such as an alert for driver's license renewal.

hyunw54@korea.kr