Starting on Tuesday, people who want to activate a new cell phone must undergo facial recognition.

The Ministry of Science and ICT announced that it began implementing the new program on a trial basis.

Under the program, the three major mobile carriers - SK Telecom, KT Corporation and LG Uplus, will add "facial recognition" in-person when activating a new phone while 43 mobile virtual network operators will implement the mandatory step in remote settings. 

Those seeking to get new phones will have to scan their face using PASS, an identification app developed by the three carriers and which is used by many public agencies.

The government plans to operate the program on a trial basis for three months before introducing it to all channels available from March 23.

The measure is aimed at preventing the act of setting up illegal burner phones and for such devices being used in criminal activities.