UNI-PASS Operation and Maintenance
Unipass: The Backbone of Korea's International Trade
Overview of Unipass
- Unipass serves as the core infrastructure for Korea's international trade, facilitating various functions such as import/export clearance, cargo management, duty payment, and customs audits.
- It has evolved over 50 years to improve user satisfaction while adapting to changing customs policies and regulations.
Operational Importance
- The operation and maintenance of Unipass are crucial for a strong economy and safe society, ensuring stable operations that contribute to world-class customs administration.
- In 2018, Korea was the 7th largest trading nation globally, with significant annual export (9 million declarations worth $604 billion) and import (21 million declarations worth $535 billion) activities.
System Design and Functionality
- Unipass operates 24/7 to handle increasing workloads from trade and travelers (90 million annually), designed with a two-track concept for efficient risk management.
- This system allows swift clearance for low-risk cargos while enabling detailed inspections for high-risk items like unsanitary food or illegal drugs.
Security Measures
- To prevent system failures, Unipass incorporates redundancy in communication power supply and automated failure detection systems against hacking.
- A disaster recovery system is implemented at a remote location to respond effectively to unforeseen events like disasters or wars.
Maintenance and Team Structure
- The Korea Customs Service oversees a dedicated maintenance team that adapts the system based on policy changes while introducing new technologies.
- Collaboration between Kupia (operational responsibility) and KC Net (coding tasks) ensures smooth functioning of this extensive system within Korea’s trading framework.
Quality Assurance Standards
- Both the Korea Customs Service and Kupia have achieved ISO 20000 certification in customs clearance systems, establishing high service quality standards.
- Continuous monitoring of international trade trends leads to upgrades in Unipass through advanced technologies like big data, AI, and blockchain.