Facial recognition now mandatory for mobile phone sign-ups in South Korea

SEOUL, July 6 (AJP) - Starting Monday, South Korea is rolling out stricter identity verification procedures for signing up for a mobile phone line, according to the Ministry of Science and ICT said. To open a new account, customers must now complete identity verification via facial recognition. The measures aim to curb voice-phishing scams involving illegally obtained mobile phone lines.

The country's three major mobile carriers and other operators will apply the strengthened verification procedures to both in-person and online sign-ups. The stricter procedures will apply to new subscriptions and number transfers, while simple device upgrades within the same carrier will be excluded.

Customers are required to undergo facial recognition, which compares the photo on their ID with a live image of themselves. Those who do not wish to do so or fail the scan may instead verify their identity through a mobile ID app or by submitting a resident registration record issued the same day by an authorized government agency.

The ministry said the new measures are intended to crack down on sign-ups made through identity theft. While mobile phones are widely used for identity verification in financial transactions and online services, those registered under someone else's name can be sold as "ghost phones" and used for voice phishing, illegal loans and smishing.

But some inconvenience is expected, as facial recognition can fail depending on lighting conditions or differences between an ID photo and a person's current appearance. Online sign-ups and older users may also find the process more burdensome.

The ministry said it will work to minimize disruption by gradually offering more verification options, while also stepping up monitoring of retailers. Inspections and penalties will be strengthened for stores and agencies involved in fraudulent activations.