South Korea is moving to add facial verification to mobile phone activation and opening procedures as part of a broader effort to curb SIM-swap abuse and voice-phishing activity. Policy materials posted through Korea.kr describe a rollout that begins with a pilot on December 23, 2025 and transitions to formal introduction on March 23, 2026.
The policy description states that the verification process will compare the photo on an identification card against the person presenting the ID in real time. The materials indicate the system will leverage the PASS app used by carriers, while also noting it should be usable even if a user is not subscribed to PASS.
The same policy materials state that once an identity match is confirmed, only a yes or no result value is stored or managed, and biometric information used for verification is not separately stored. The rollout is described as applying to specific activation channels during the pilot, including certain MVNO non-face-to-face channels and major carrier face-to-face channels, before becoming part of the broader activation process.
South Korea has faced extensive voice-phishing activity in recent years, and telecom onboarding and line activation controls are frequently cited as a pressure point in attacks that rely on illicitly opened or transferred mobile lines. Measures that strengthen identity verification at activation can affect downstream fraud patterns, including risks tied to voice and SMS channels.
South Korea has been actively expanding its digital identity infrastructure. The country recently completed a nationwide digital ID rollout for 52 million citizens and launched digital residence cards for foreign residents. South Korea’s largest wireless carrier, SK Telecom, responded to a major data breach earlier this year by offering free USIM card replacements to address concerns about potential SIM swapping attacks.
Sources: Korea.kr
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By Ji-seo Kim
