Korea launches facial authentication for mobile sign-ups

Facial authentication was introduced into mobile phone activation procedures on Tuesday in an effort to eradicate so-called “ghost phones” used in voice phishing scams.

According to the Ministry of Science and ICT, the country’s three mobile carriers — SK Telecom, KT and LG Uplus — along with mobile virtual network operators (MVNO), are required to apply the procedure to both in-person and non-face-to-face transactions when the policy is officially launched in March.

Under the current system, the authenticity of an ID card is verified by linking with the issuing authority. The new procedure adds biometric authentication that compares the ID photo with the applicant’s real-time facial image.

The government will operate the system on a trial basis for three months to give users and businesses time to adapt, with full implementation scheduled for March 23.

If facial authentication fails, mobile phone activation may still proceed under exception rules. Authorities also plan to strengthen on-site guidance, particularly for older users who may be less familiar with digital devices.

During the three-month trial period, cases such as authentication failures will be collected and analyzed. The government will also review operational practices at distribution sites, including agencies and retail stores, to accumulate on-the-ground experience.

The core objective of the policy is to eliminate ghost phones, which are easily exploited for identity theft and illegal distribution due to the convenience of non-face-to-face activation. According to National Police Agency data, MVNOs accounted for 89,927 cases, or 92.3 percent, of the 97,399 ghost phone cases detected in 2024, fueling growing distrust over MVNO activation procedures.

Addressing security concerns, the ministry said that once the ID holder's identity is confirmed, only the verification result is stored and managed. Biometric data used for authentication is neither separately retained nor stored.

Facial authentication applies to new subscriptions, number portability, device changes and changes of ownership using resident registration cards and driver’s licenses. In the second half of next year, the scope will be expanded to include other forms of identification such as national veterans cards, disability registration cards and foreign registration cards.