The Ministry of Science and ICT, together with the Korea Internet & Security Agency, is launching a large-scale initiative to spread blockchain technology throughout everyday life and across industrial sectors.

In an effort to identify innovative new blockchain services this year, the two organizations have chosen a total of 11 key areas to focus on—including mobile ID cards, online voting, digital vouchers, and digital badges. Following the rollout of five projects earlier this year, six additional projects will commence this month, starting from August 8.

Busan Metropolitan City is taking the lead in developing a "battery passport" platform, allowing seamless tracking of electric vehicle battery lifecycles from production and operation to post-use stages. This system is designed in preparation for the EU's upcoming Digital Product Passport regulation and will initially be piloted with over 2,500 electric vehicles and battery manufacturers in Busan. The platform aims to provide transparent management of battery production, usage, performance, and lifespan data, ultimately strengthening the export capabilities of local companies.

Meanwhile, the Korea Health Industry Development Institute is advancing the use of blockchain in healthcare. It plans to integrate services such as medical consultations, e-prescriptions, pharmaceutical deliveries, and supplemental health insurance claims into a single online platform. As a result, users will be able to experience the entire healthcare process, from consultations to insurance claims, remotely and efficiently.

The private sector is also embracing blockchain technologies in diverse fields, including ticket sales, food distribution, transportation, and identity verification. AhnLab Blockchain Company’s upcoming “K-Culture Performance Ticketing Infrastructure” will connect easily with existing ticketing sites to manage ticket issuance, distribution, and validation on the blockchain, significantly enhancing the prevention of ticket scalping.

Block Odyssey is developing a “digital distribution tracking platform” that offers a comprehensive view of food distribution chains—from production and processing to export and consumption. Thanks to simple QR code labeling, even small food producers can participate, and consumers will be able to instantly verify product histories with a single scan, fostering a highly trusted consumption environment.

In transportation, LeadPoint System is introducing a platform that automates the collection and trading of carbon emission credits. Previously, the process relied heavily on manual data entry, creating administrative burdens. With blockchain, the system will automate and boost transparency across the board.

Other notable projects in development include Sooho.io’s digital voucher platform, Zikrypto’s community support tool for surveys and opinion polls using zero-knowledge proof (ZKP) technology, Whatcon’s digital certificate wallet for international students, NICE Information Service’s NFT-based financial platform for foreigners, and Soft Empire’s AI and blockchain-integrated learning platform.

Song Sang-hoon, Director General of ICT Policy at the Ministry of Science and ICT, commented, “We aim to expand our blockchain support program across all aspects of everyday life, including healthcare, distribution, and culture, to accelerate the mainstreaming of blockchain technology. Even as AI and digital asset environments evolve, blockchain remains a core infrastructure for digital trust and asset ecosystems, and the government will actively support related companies and ecosystem development.”

Note “This article was translated from the original Korean version using AI assistance, and subsequently edited by a native-speaking journalist.”

Photo=Korea Policy Briefing