South Korea’s three main mobile carriers have launched a new service called ‘PASS ID Payment,’ which combines age verification and payment in one step.
SK Telecom, KT, and LG Uplus announced on December 1 that users can register their ID cards or driver’s licenses in the PASS app, add a credit card, and then complete both ID checks and digital payments by scanning a single QR code at places like convenience stores or vending machines.
Before, buying age-restricted items like alcohol or cigarettes required showing a physical ID to prove you were an adult, and then making the payment. This new service makes that process easier. Users who already have the PASS ID, about 15 million people, can start using it right away by registering their card, without needing to download any extra apps. For sellers, this service lowers the risk of selling to minors with fake IDs, as the app keeps a record of the ID checks.
The service is available today at GS25 convenience stores and some vending machines. The companies plan to expand it to more locations, like self-checkout counters and tourist spots, where age or residency verification is needed.
A spokesperson from the telecom companies called this service a "global first" because it combines identity verification and payment into one process.
To celebrate, KT and LG Uplus are giving away 5,000 Korean won gift cards to customers who use the service to spend 5,000 Korean won or more at GS25, with winners chosen by lottery.