What is KRDS? The Korean Government Design System That Even Government Staff Don't Know About
Source: Dev.to
What is KRDS?
Korea Government Design System – a design guideline for public‑sector websites created by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety in 2023.
If you’ve noticed that Korean government sites such as Gov24 and the National Health Insurance Service share a similar look and feel, that’s KRDS in action.
Why Was It Created?
1. Consistency
Government sites previously varied wildly in navigation placement, button colors, and overall layout, making it hard for citizens to find services. KRDS standardizes structure, navigation, and UI components so users encounter a familiar experience across sites.
2. Accessibility
Public‑sector sites must meet accessibility certification in Korea. KRDS embeds requirements for color contrast, keyboard navigation, and screen‑reader support, helping agencies satisfy basic accessibility standards without reinventing the wheel.
3. Cost Savings
Designing each site from scratch is expensive. Reusing KRDS components reduces design and development effort, leading to lower costs.
The Reality
Staff Don’t Know It
RFPs often request “KRDS compliance,” yet many project managers aren’t sure what that entails or how to verify it.
Non‑Technical People Struggle
The KRDS website talks about “components,” “design tokens,” and “semantic colors.” Developers and designers understand these terms, but administrative staff frequently cannot determine whether a site is KRDS‑compliant.
Designers Feel Restricted
Guidelines such as “use this color,” “make buttons like this,” and “apply exact spacing” can feel limiting to designers accustomed to creative freedom. Concerns about the design being “too plain” or “out of trend” are common.
So What Should You Do?
KRDS Is a “Minimum Standard”
You don’t need to follow KRDS 100 %; meeting the core requirements is enough.
- Colors – Government brand palette (blue) as the base.
- Accessibility – Minimum 4.5:1 color contrast, full keyboard navigation.
- Structure – Simple header‑content‑footer layout.
If these essentials are satisfied, you can claim “KRDS applied.”
Customization Is Allowed
You may mix additional agency colors or branding within the KRDS palette.
/* KRDS default */
--krds-primary: #256EF4; /* blue */
/* Agency addition (example) */
--agency-primary: #00A86B; /* Ministry of Environment green */You’re not replacing KRDS; you’re extending it.
Realistic Implementation Steps
| Step | Actions |
|---|---|
| 1. Minimum Compliance | - Apply the KRDS color palette - Use the basic button and form styles - Follow the header/footer structure |
| 2. Accessibility | - Verify color contrast (≥ 4.5:1) - Test keyboard navigation - Ensure alt text and form labels are present |
| 3. Agency Branding | - Add agency logo and any extra brand colors - Design content areas freely while keeping the base layout - Express the agency’s visual identity |
How to Explain KRDS to Non‑Technical Staff
What is KRDS?
“It’s a design guide for government websites created by the Ministry of the Interior. The similar look of all government sites comes from KRDS, and following it automatically satisfies accessibility requirements.”
Is our site KRDS‑compliant?
“If the header and footer follow the guide’s structure, the colors use the government palette, and the site can be navigated with a keyboard, then yes, it’s compliant.”
Summary
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is KRDS? | Korean government website design guide |
| Why was it made? | Consistency, accessibility, cost savings |
| Must follow exactly? | No – meet the minimum standards |
| Can customize? | Yes – extend the base system |
| Too plain? | Base is plain; content area remains flexible |
KRDS itself isn’t a problem; the challenge lies in clear explanations and practical implementation guidance.
Open‑source React components based on KRDS are available at:
Tags: #react #designsystem #accessibility #government #opensource