Your Resident Registration Number: Unlocking the First Six Digits

Your resident registration number (RRN), also known as your social security number, is a unique identifier assigned to all residents of South Korea. The first six digits of your RRN hold significant information about your identity, including your birth year, gender, and registration region.

Understanding the RRN Structure

The RRN consists of 13 digits divided into three sections:

• First Section (6 digits): Contains information about birth year, gender, and registration region
• Second Section (7 digits): Unique identifier for individuals registered on the same day
• Third Section (1 digit): Checksum digit to ensure accuracy

The Significance of the First Six Digits

The first six digits of your RRN reveal the following details:

• First and Second Digits: Birth Year

  • 00-99 represents the year of birth, with odd numbers indicating female and even numbers indicating male.

• Third and Fourth Digits: Gender

  • For birth years 00-99, odd numbers represent female and even numbers represent male.
  • For birth years 2000 onwards, the third and fourth digits are solely used for gender determination. Odd numbers indicate female, while even numbers indicate male.

• Fifth and Sixth Digits: Registration Region

  • 00-12: Seoul
  • 13-32: Gyeonggi Province
  • 33-42: Incheon
  • 43-52: Gangwon Province
  • 53-62: Chungcheongbuk Province
  • 63-72: Chungcheongnam Province
  • 73-82: Jeonbuk Province
  • 83-92: Jeonnam Province
  • 93-97: Gyeongsangbuk Province
  • 98-99: Ulsan
  • 10-11, 50-51: Gyeongsangnam Province
  • 12, 52: Daegu
  • 40-41, 70-71: Busan
  • 42, 72: Daejeon
  • 60-61, 80-81: Gwangju
  • 62, 82: Sejong City
  • 90-91: Jeju Province

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Mixing up the gender digits: For birth years 2000 onwards, the third and fourth digits solely determine gender.
• Confusing the registration region digits: The fifth and sixth digits indicate the specific registration region, not the province or city of birth.
• Misinterpreting the checksum digit: The last digit is used for verification purposes and does not provide any additional information.

Why Your RRN Matters

Your RRN serves as a crucial identification tool in everyday life in South Korea. It is required for:

• Personal identification: Driver's license, passport, etc.
• Financial transactions: Banking, credit cards, etc.
• Government services: Social welfare programs, healthcare, etc.
• Employment: Job applications, payroll, etc.

Benefits of Understanding Your RRN

Understanding the first six digits of your RRN provides several benefits:

• Identity protection: Helps you identify potential identity theft or fraud.
• Easier data retrieval: Can assist government agencies and businesses in retrieving your personal information.
• Smoother transactions: Ensures accurate processing of financial and other transactions.

Compare and Contrast: RRN vs. Other Identification Numbers

Call to Action

Understanding the first six digits of your resident registration number is essential for your identity and daily life in South Korea. Avoid common mistakes and take advantage of the benefits of knowing your RRN. Protect your identity, facilitate transactions, and empower yourself with this valuable information.