Will South Korea Require Facial Recognition for New Mobile Numbers?
Synopsis
In a bold step to combat phone scams, South Korea mandates facial recognition for new mobile number registrations. This initiative aims to curb identity theft and fraudulent activities, enhancing security measures for mobile users nationwide. The new policy, set to launch in March 2026, follows a rising trend in voice phishing scams affecting thousands. Stay tuned for more updates!
Key Takeaways
Facial recognition will be mandatory for new mobile number registrations.
This measure aims to combat identity theft and scams.
The policy will take effect in March 2026.
Over 21,000 reported voice phishing scams this year.
Total damages from scams have exceeded 1 trillion won.
Seoul, Dec 19 (NationPress) In a significant move to combat scams, South Korea is set to enforce facial recognition for individuals seeking to register new mobile phone numbers, as announced by the science ministry on Friday.
This initiative mandates the nation's three major mobile operators, SK Telecom Co., KT Corp., and LG Uplus Inc., along with mobile virtual network operators, to implement this additional verification step. This measure aims to thwart the activation of new numbers through identity theft, according to reports from the Yonhap news agency.
The decision follows a broader strategy unveiled in August to tackle voice phishing scams, which includes harsher penalties for mobile carriers that fail to take adequate preventive measures.
In a ministry statement, they emphasized that by comparing identification card photos with the actual face of the holder in real-time, the activation of phones registered under fraudulent identities using stolen or forged IDs can be completely prevented.
Furthermore, the ministry noted that scammers will encounter more obstacles when trying to activate new phones using information obtained through hacks.
The new regulation is scheduled to officially take effect in March 2026, with a trial phase commencing next week.
As of November this year, there were 21,588 reported voice phishing scams, with damages amounting to 1.13 trillion won (approximately US$760 million), marking a significant increase beyond the 1 trillion-won threshold, according to a police report.
In related news, the government announced plans to establish an interagency task force to address the recent extensive data breach involving Coupang Corp., a major e-commerce player.
This decision was made during a meeting chaired by Science Minister Bae Kyung-hoon, and the task force will be led by Ryu Je-myung, the second vice minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT. It will include officials from various organizations, such as the Personal Information Protection Committee, the Korea Media Communications Commission, and the Financial Services Commission.
Point of View
It is imperative to highlight that this initiative by the South Korean government represents a proactive approach in the face of growing threats from cybercrime. By implementing facial recognition technology, the government is prioritizing citizen safety and addressing the urgent need to safeguard personal information against increasingly sophisticated scams. It reflects a national commitment to enhancing security in a digital age.
NationPress
22 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the new facial recognition policy in South Korea?
South Korea will require facial recognition when opening new mobile phone numbers to prevent identity theft and scams.
When will the facial recognition policy be implemented?
The new policy is set to be officially implemented in March 2026, with a trial run beginning next week.
What prompted this new policy?
The policy aims to combat the rising number of voice phishing scams and illegal mobile registrations.
How many voice phishing scams have been reported this year?
There have been 21,588 reported voice phishing scams as of November this year.
What is the estimated damage caused by these scams?
The total damage from voice phishing scams has reached approximately 1.13 trillion won (around 760 million dollars).
