[The Chosun Ilbo, September 5 2007] E-Passports Coming Next Year

The government will start issuing electronic passports as early as the second half of next year. The change is part of a revision to the passport law which was approved at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

People who want a new passport will have to visit district offices in person, since their fingerprints must be taken to be contained in the new document. Until now, it has been possible to get passports through proxies like travel agencies or other family members.