Major internet companies in South Korea have begun to provide OpenID service that makes OpenID-enabled websites accessible by one ID.

In January, 'Openmaru Studio', an affiliated company of NCsoft, embarked for the first time the service in the name of 'myIDnet'. 'Hedgehog', an internal venture of AhnLab Inc., is also about to provide same service by the name of 'IDtail'. As Daum Communication will enter the market by the end of this month, concerns on the market are more and more increased.

This is because OpenID based on Web 2.0 has been regarded as an alternative technology that improves user's internet accessibility dramatically.

Once web users register OpenID, they can sign in other OpenID-enabled websites without traditional username and password. This implies that web users can gain the ability to manage their authentication. For instance, homepage or blog users can use their URL as their username.

In a world-wide trend, MS already decided to support OpenID by adding a new function of 'CardSpace', which provides authentication service, in the Vista. AOL introduced it and already had 63 million members.

According to Daum, more than 550 sites in the US supported OpenID by November 2006. In addition, the number was increased 5% per week.

The need to think of a long-term prospect rather than short-term profits
OpenID project, however, does not seem to make profits immediately. It is difficult to do marketing, including advertising, in the situation that users can easily go and come over websites. Although providers make their members’ information available for selected sites, its scope is still limited.

Some critics indicate that it is not appropriate in South Korea in which one's real name authentication is needed. It is technically possible, but, because the government chooses agencies for the authentication, providers have no legal rights to let users to authenticate their real names.

According to David Recordon, the vice president of OpenID Foundation, who was invited by the Hedgehog, "technologies for authentication are already prepared. To have effects, however, institutions must back up."

In the long-term, however, the prospect for OpenID is optimistic. Standing at the center for authentication may provide various chances. If it is popularly used, its influence could be powerful as much as large portal sites.

According to Song Kyo-Seok, a director of the Hedgehog, "we have tried to find some effects in the same way that simple e-mail services evolve into present large portal sites. A new age that users represent themselves by OpenID, instead of e-mail and blog, is coming soon!"

Meanwhile, both 'Hedgehog' and 'Openmaru Studio' are positive for the Daum's participation in OpenID project. They expect that concerns on OpenID will be increased as the large portal takes part in. Because the Daum has approached OpenID project not to make profits but to meet the convenience of its users, there will be little competition to lure new members.