Administrative Trends in Korea
Pan-Government UI/UX Design System (KRDS),
Transforming Public Websites and Applications
Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS) officially launched the ‘Pan-Government UI/UX* Design System (KRDS**)’ service in January 2025. KRDS is a standardized system that provides UI/UX design frameworks and code, enabling citizens to access public websites and applications more easily and conveniently. Similar initiative include the US Web Design System(US-USWDS,) and the UK Government Digital Service(UK-GOV.UK).
Moreover, institutions often faced challenges such as design inconsistencies and collaboration difficulties among developers due to changes in website. By implementing KRDS, which provides reusable design components and standardized design tokens*, organizations can streamline development processes, reduce redundant tasks, and significantly enhance efficiency.
· Source: Ministry of the Interior and Safety
*UI/UX:A combination of ‘User Interface’ and ‘User eXperience’, encompassing all aspects of user interaction including interface design, communication flow, and user responses.
**KRDS(KoRea Design System):A comprehensive system that offers a collection of design and developed codes, allowing anyone to assemblage public websites and application effortlessly, similar to building with Lego Blocks. (URL: www.krds.go.kr)
Previously, public websites were developed independently by each institution, resulting in inconsistent layouts and service methods that often confused users. To address this issue, KRDS ensures a uniform design language and user experience, making government websites more intuitive and user-friendly. This initiatives is expected to enhance the standardize of digital services across administrative and public institutions, immaculately improving accessibility for all citizens. Moreover, institutions often faced challenges such as design inconsistencies and collaboration difficulties among developers due to changes in website. By implementing KRDS, which provides reusable design components and standardized design tokens*, organizations can streamline development processes, reduce redundant tasks, and significantly enhance efficiency.
*Design Tokens:Predefined codes that establish consistent design attributes across a system, ensuring uniformity in website aesthetics and functionality.
In February 2024, MOIS conducted a usability evaluation after developing the UI/UX guidelines for digital government services and applying the UI/UX to websites of five major public institutions on a pilot basis. As a result, the average satisfaction increased by 13.2%, showing a significant improvement in the convenience and satisfaction of public websites. Moving forward, the widespread adoption of KRDS in the public sector is expected to further streamline digital government services, making them more user-friendly and accessble to all citizens.