South Korea will begin scanning fingerprints and
faces of foreign nationals suspected of trying to enter the country using fake identification or other illegal means as it steps up security measures ahead of the G-20 summit in November, the Justice Ministry said Monday.
Starting Tuesday, the immigration service at all ports of entry will scan fingerprints of
foreign visitors whose profile matches those of terrorists, hold passports reported as missing or which appear to have been faked, have a one-way ticket or are not familiar with the language or conditions of their native country, officials said. If necessary, immigration authorities will demand face scanning as well, officials said.
Anyone who has criminal records in South Korea or used fake passports will be banned from entering the country, officials said.
The measure is the first in a series of steps from a law passed in May requiring foreigners entering South Korea to be fingerprinted and photographed in a bid to screen out criminals.
The government plans to gradually expand the system to fingerprint long-term foreign residents who stay in the country for more than 90 days and then to all foreigners residing in the country, officials said.