Interior ministry launches AI pension services on KakaoTalk

The interior ministry said Thursday it has opened four National Pension services to the public through private mobile applications, allowing users to check contribution histories and apply for voluntary coverage by chatting with an AI assistant.

Starting Sept. 17, users of the Kakao AI National Secretary can inquire about their pension enrollment details and total contributions using natural language commands such as "Check my National Pension history." The service requires identity verification before displaying payment amounts and the number of months contributed. A function to apply for voluntary pension enrollment will follow at the end of September.

While the Kakao platform handles inquiries and new applications, other services will roll out across different channels later this year. The ministry plans to introduce features for regional subscribers to report the resumption of payments and apply for insurance premium support for low-income earners through private banking apps, including Woori Bank, starting in December.

This expansion builds on a pilot program launched in March that connected the AI National Secretary with Naver and Kakao to handle over 100 types of electronic certificates and provide access to more than 1,200 idle public facilities. In May, the Kakao version added voice recognition capabilities, allowing users to process requests verbally.

"Providing public services closely related to people's lives, such as the National Pension, through the Kakao AI National Secretary has made them easier for citizens to use," Yoon Ho-joong, the minister of the interior and safety, said. He added that the government will concentrate all its capabilities to expand AI-based public services that substantially change people's lives.

Kim Sung-joo, chairman of the National Pension Service, noted that citizens can now easily confirm their enrollment status and contribution amounts as if conversing with the AI assistant. He stated that the pension service will continue to expand public-private cooperation to lead the AI transformation of public institutions.