Seoul Metropolitan Government said Friday that it will develop a smartphone application by 2014 through which citizens can process their civil affairs.

The city will invest more than 250 million won ($216,000) in the development of the application equipped with antivirus programs and password protection for the security of personal information.

Citizens will be able to use all the services with the mobile app that are currently available on the city’s internet website such as paying taxes and issuing public documents.

Public servants can check their clients’ photos sent through the app in real time.

The app will be compatible with both Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS, the two main operating platforms for smartphones.

The app will also be accessible through smart pads without any difficulties.

People will be informed of the process of civil services through text messages and mobile push notifications.

Users will use a digital certificate to log in instead of manually entering in their personal information to access the app.

Other district offices and city governments including Yongsan-gu in Seoul and Hanam City, east of Seoul, have introduced similar smartphone apps in recent years to improve their own services.

By Kim Young-won (wone0102@heraldcorp.com)