State-run Korea Minting, Security Printing & ID Card Operating Corporation (Komsco) said on Wednesday that it will supply self-developed micro chips for biometric identification for Iranians.

The shipment of 5 million integrated circuit (IC) chips is the second largest after similar supply to Central Asia last year.

According to Komsco, its IC chip is a major component of a smart card that not only stores and processes data but also prevents data spill.

The chips going to Iran will be equipped with a smart card chip operating system developed by Komsco and will be loaded inside national identity cards

Ever since Komsco won a deal to export IC chips to Central Asia last year, it has supplied 3 million electronic resident cards to the region. The contract with an Iranian manufacturer will more than double Komsco’s IC chip revenue next year.

An unnamed official from Komsco said that the latest deal is significant in that it shows it has been globally acknowledged of its IC chip manufacturing technology. The country’s sole coin producer and bank note printer will actively pioneer into overseas identification card markets involving medical insurance cards, electronic driving license cards, and car registration certificates.

By Kim In-oh and Lee Eun-joo

[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business Newspaper & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]