Korea Customs Service (KCS) Commissioner Lee Myeong-ku speaks during an interview with The Korea Times at Seoul Regional Customs in Seoul's Gangnam District, Feb. 5. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
Korea Customs Service (KCS) Commissioner Lee Myeong-ku has identified the homegrown electronic clearance system, UNI-PASS, as central to reinforcing the role of KCS in Korea’s drive to become a top-three global artificial intelligence (AI) powerhouse.
The system has been at the heart of Korea’s global expansion and digital transformation in customs administration. Originated in 1974 to support the computerized processing of trade statistics and related data, it has since evolved into a sophisticated tool used in 16 countries across Asia, Europe, Latin America and Africa.
“We want to upgrade UNI-PASS with AI as part of a sweeping overhaul to bolster operational capacity,” the top customs official said in an exclusive interview with The Korea Times, Feb. 5.
The upgrade focuses on applying AI across all areas of KCS operations and enhancing the 11 AI models currently in use within UNI-PASS, a fully digitalized platform that processes all documentation, inspection and approval of goods crossing the border without paper or in-person visits.
The 11 models are entirely AI-based, covering screening of regular and high-risk cargo, travelers, mail and overseas e-commerce packages, as well as information analysis.
They enhance operations through smarter use of X-ray scanners, surveillance cameras, big data, early warning systems and other monitoring technologies.
These models will be upgraded under the Information Strategy Plan (ISP), which aims to determine optimal AI solutions for customs policies by considering how they connect with related components.
The ISP is the centerpiece of the customs agency’s goal to make 2026 “the watershed year for a major AI transformation,” in line with President Lee Jae Myung’s vision of establishing Korea as one of the world’s top three AI leaders alongside the United States and China.
“We have been receiving increasing requests from partner countries to expand cooperation in AI, and in turn we have been working on customized models to meet their specific needs,” the commissioner said.
Source: Korea Times News
