The mobile entry system for the Civilian Control Zone (CCZ) operated by Paju, Gyeonggi Province, has surpassed 120,000 annual entries in its fourth year of operation. The system, which replaced paper-based entry procedures with smartphone QR code authentication, has been credited with simultaneously improving convenience for border-area residents and modernizing the security framework since its full rollout in 2022.
According to the Paju city government on Tuesday, annual entries surged from 6,673 in 2022 — the first year of full implementation — to 28,891 in 2023, 87,843 in 2024, and 121,423 in 2025. The figure represents an 18-fold increase compared to before the system's introduction.
Monthly average entries also rose from 556 in 2022 to 10,119 in 2025, entering what officials call the "10,000-entry-per-month era." The lower entry barriers have boosted farming activities and local economic activity within the CCZ, according to analysis.
The system uses dynamic QR code authentication with enhanced security. Leveraging GPS technology, it also features safety functions for farmers, including emergency rescue signal transmission, alerts for military-designated danger zones, and real-time disaster and safety notifications.
A military official responsible for on-site operations said, "The speed of identity and vehicle verification at Unification Bridge has improved."
Paju has continued to address on-site inconveniences throughout 2023 and 2024. The system developer also said it is "carrying out stabilization work to enhance user convenience and security."
"We are working hard on everyday administrative innovation for citizens who endure significant inconvenience due to the characteristics of living in a border area," said Park Ji-young, head of the Urban Planning Division at Paju. "We will continue to do our best for the stable operation of the entry system based on strong trust with the military."