(image: Korea Bizwire)
SEOUL, Oct. 8 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s foreign ministry said Monday it will introduce a system to inform the country’s citizens of the need to renew their passports in advance, in a move to help them avoid being turned away at airports.
Many countries have an entry policy of requiring foreign visitors to carry passports that are valid for at least several months.
In the case of many Asian nations, the period is six months from departure date.
The ministry said it will use text messages to notify South Korean passport holders of expiration dates six months and 10 days in advance to allow enough time for renewal.
The ministry has forged a partnership with KT, a local mobile carrier, for the service to be launched on Oct. 15. But users of services provided by two other major local telecom firms — SKT and LG U+ — will also be able to benefit from the system, it added.
(Yonhap)
