[Korea.net News, Society, February 13 2008] Korea to introduce pet ID tags

Korea will standardize microchip identification tags for pets within this year for full-scale use starting in 2009, the government said Wednesday (Feb. 13).

The new radio frequency identification (RFID) tag system is designed to quickly identify pet owners, check the health of the animals and trace their pedigree, the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (ATS) said. It can also help the government maintain better pet control by locating owners and preventing the sale of sick animals.

The agency under the Ministry of Commerce, industry and Energy said the tags are to used for dogs first, and will be expanded to cats and livestock if the system for dogs is successful.