Internet Privacy Status in South Korea

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I'm gonna introduce a serious privacy problem in South Korea.

In South Korea, there is a SSN called '주민번호(Jumin Beonho - Resident Number)'. This number is widely used as Citizen ID in web sites.

As I understand, South Korean government forces (or strongly advise?) websites to check visitors' name and 주민번호 in some circumstances such as...

1. every porno-site. they are using 주민번호 and name for age checking.
2. most community sites. they require 주민번호 and name when visitor writes any message to forums or joins to community.
3. wireless Internet connection. they require 주민번호 and name to enable a connection.

I still don't know what kind of databases or validation systems are working inside of such websites. Anyway it is very clear that this kind of civil ID usage will lead to serious privacy problem.

Who wants to provide their name and SSN to pornosite?
Also, this system rejects all foreigners' access (including Korean American or Koreans who living in Japan...).

South Korea web site architecture denied any anonymousness from the Internet! This problem should be recognized and discussed.

Its a pity that my Korean literacy is still very limited to pursue this issue...

ARAI Shunichi (family, given)
http://www.moodindigo.org/blog/