(1) A national who intends to enter the Republic of Korea from an area outside the Republic of Korea (hereinafter referred to as "entry") shall hold a valid passport and undergo an entry inspection conducted by an immigration control official at the port of entry and departure through which he or she enters the Republic of Korea; provided, if the national cannot enter the Republic of Korea through a port of entry and departure due to extenuating circumstances, he or she may enter after undergoing an entry inspection conducted by an immigration control official at a place, other than a port of entry and departure, with permission from the head of the competent Regional Immigration Service. <Amended on Mar. 18, 2014>
(2) If a national intends to enter the Republic of Korea without a valid passport as he or she has lost it or for any other reason, an immigration control official may permit the national to enter after verification.
(3) An entry inspection under paragraph (1) may be substituted by an entry inspection using an informatization device, as prescribed by Presidential Decree.
(4) The Minister of Justice may collect nationals' biometrics information or request a related administrative agency to submit nationals' biometrics information held by the administrative agency, if necessary for entry inspections. <Added on Mar. 29, 2016; Jun. 9, 2020>
(5) Upon receipt of a request for cooperation under paragraph (4), no related administrative agency shall reject the request without justifiable ground. <Added on Mar. 29, 2016>
(6) Immigration control officials may utilize the biometrics information collected or submitted under paragraph (4) for entry inspections. <Added on Mar. 29, 2016; Jun. 9, 2020>
(7) The Minister of Justice shall manage the biometrics information collected or submitted under paragraph (4) in accordance with the Personal Information Protection Act. <Added on Mar. 29, 2016; Jun. 9, 2020>[This Article Wholly Amended on May 14, 2010]