Phone scams are a growing threat in South Korea, costing victims massive amounts of money each year. Many fraud cases involve illegally opened mobile phones, known as “ghost phones,” which make it hard for authorities to track criminals.
To combat the problem, the government has introduced a new security measure requiring facial recognition to open a mobile phone line. The rule took effect on Dec. 23, 2025, as part of a trial period and will become fully mandatory on March 23.
Under the new system, customers must scan a government-issued ID and complete facial verification through the PASS mobile app. The technology confirms whether the user’s face matches the ID photo. Officials said facial data is not stored, helping protect personal privacy.
The Ministry of Science and ICT stated the goal is to stop criminals from opening phone lines under false names. Such phones are commonly used in voice phishing scams, which caused 1.13 trillion won in losses by November 2025, the highest total on record.
Authorities will monitor the system during the trial period and make improvements before full implementation, aiming to better protect the public from financial harm.