The Danish government will start issuing new passports with digital photos and fingerprints starting on Oct. 1.

The decision to introduce fingerprints in passports was made by the European Union as part of their war against terrorism, human trafficking and trade, illegal immigration and other transnational crimes.

The new biometric passport will allow Danish citizens to travel to countries which may demand this type of passport for entry in the future.

As of Oct. 1, Danes in Korea applying for a new passport will have to do so in person at the Danish Embassy in Seoul.

The Danish honorary consulate in Busan will no longer accept passport applications from that date.

The same applies for citizens of other European Union countries residing outside their home country.

In order to issue the new passports, the embassy is installing special photo and fingerprint recording equipment.

Applications must be handed to and handled by the embassy’s specially authorized staff who will have access to certain data in the Danish central citizens registry.

Danish passports are still valid until the date of expiry.

More information can be had by visiting the embassy’s website at www.ambseoul.um.dk or call (02) 795-4187.

(yoav@heraldcorp.com)