By Xu Aiying and Kim Young Shin
Photos = Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism uncovered the two draft proposals for Korea’s new passport design on Oct. 15. The new passport design will be applied from 2020.

The cover of regular passport will change from green to navy. The biggest difference between the two draft proposals are the position of the Korean and English title “Republic of Korea Passport” and the logo of the Korean government. The color of the passport for officials will be dark gray and the diplomatic passport, red.

Each page and the inside of the cover will be printed with Korea’s cultural artifacts such as the ancient tomb mural of Goguryeo Kingdom (37 B.C. – A.D. 668), Hangeul calligraphy from Joseon times (1392-1910) and Geobukseon turtle ship.

The information page will be made from polycarbonate which is clear, durable and impact resistant. The photo and the personal information will be laser-engraved, which will strengthen the security of the passport.

The drafts are modified versions of the winning design submitted by Seoul National University professor Kim Suzung to the design contest hosted by the two ministries in 2007.



The ministries will publish an e-book version of the new passport designs on the ministries’ websites and social media to get public opinion. The design will be finalized by the end of this year.

The ministries will also ask the public whether to keep the current custom of applying different colors for official and diplomatic passports or to unify the color regardless of the type.

xuaiy@korea.kr