If you’ve tried signing up for a Korean app, booking something online, or confirming your identity in Korea, you’ve probably seen a familiar error: “Verification failed” — or you never receive the code.
This isn’t you “doing it wrong.” Korea’s system is built around mobile phone identity verification, and for foreigners the database details must match exactly. Even one mismatch (name spacing, plan type, or registration status) can trigger failure.
Below is a practical breakdown of why PASS/SMS, Kakao, and Naver verification fails for foreigners — and a fix checklist you can follow in order.
What “Korean online verification” usually means
Many Korean websites and apps use 휴대폰 본인확인 (mobile phone identity verification). KISA explains that mobile phone identity verification is commonly done by SMS or via the PASS app, and it relies on a phone number registered to the individual.
Official: KISA – Mobile phone identity verification (SMS / PASS)
Why verification fails for foreigners (most common causes)
1) The phone number is not registered under your name.
Kakao’s help pages state that identity verification works only with the mobile phone information registered under the user’s name. If your number is under a friend, spouse, employer, or previous owner, failures are common.
Official: Kakao – Identity verification keeps failing
2) Name format mismatch (spacing, order, hyphens, middle names).
Kakao notes verification can fail when you attempt with information that differs from what was previously stored/verified on the account. In practice, even small formatting differences can break the match with carrier records.
Official: Kakao – “Information does not match”
3) Prepaid plan limitations (carrier-dependent).
Some prepaid SIMs are restricted for identity verification depending on the carrier. Even if SMS works sometimes, PASS/verification can still fail depending on plan type and registration.
Official: Kakao – Prepaid phone verification
4) Corporate (company) phone plans.
Company plans may be restricted for personal identity verification depending on how the line is registered in the carrier system.
Official: Kakao – Corporate phone verification
5) SMS codes never arrive or arrive late.
Kakao notes verification codes may be delayed and suggests resending. It also notes some carriers may deliver verification via PASS push notifications.
Official: Kakao – Not receiving the verification code
6) You’re overseas / can’t maintain a Korean-number identity method.
KISA’s materials explain multiple identity verification methods and encourage preparing alternative methods when mobile verification is not feasible.
Official: KISA – Identity Verification Support Portal
Fix Checklist (do this in order)
Step 1) Confirm the phone line is under YOUR name.
If your number is not under your name, most verification systems will fail. This is the #1 root cause.
Official reference: Kakao – Identity verification keeps failing
Step 2) If you’re on prepaid, assume it may not work and test PASS immediately.
If prepaid is the only option, test verification on a low-stakes service first. If it fails repeatedly, a personal postpaid plan under your name is usually the clean solution.
Official reference: Kakao – Prepaid phone verification
Step 3) If you’re on a corporate line, switch to a personal line (if verification matters).
If your employer line is not set up for personal verification, you’ll keep hitting failures for banking, memberships, and many apps.
Official reference: Kakao – Corporate phone verification
Step 4) Use PASS when SMS is unstable.
KISA explains PASS is a mainstream method for mobile phone identity verification. If SMS doesn’t arrive, check PASS notifications.
Official references:
KISA – SMS vs PASS
Kakao – Not receiving the verification code
Step 5) Standardize your name spelling and reuse it everywhere.
Pick the exact spelling your carrier uses (spaces/hyphens included) and apply it consistently for Kakao/Naver/airlines/banks.
Official reference: Kakao – “Information does not match”
Step 6) If it still fails, contact the verification provider shown on-screen.
Kakao notes that persistent failures can be temporary/provider-side issues, and you should contact the service provider listed at the bottom of the verification page.
Official reference: Kakao – Identity verification keeps failing
Step 7) Prepare an alternative verification method (backup plan).
If you live abroad or can’t keep a Korean number active, set up alternative methods early. KISA provides the official identity-verification portal as the starting point.
Official: KISA – Identity Verification Support Portal
Step 8) For NAVER real-name verification issues, use NAVER’s official support route.
NAVER provides official help guidance for real-name verification issues (including cases involving foreigners/overseas users) through their help center.
Official: NAVER Help – Real-name verification support
Quick “symptom → fix” map
“I never receive the SMS code.”
Resend the code, wait for delays, and check PASS app notifications (some carriers push verification there).
Official: Kakao – Not receiving the verification code
“Information does not match.”
Your input likely doesn’t match the stored record (carrier record or the account’s previous verified info). Standardize spelling and try again.
Official: Kakao – “Information does not match”
“It fails even though everything is correct.”
It may be a provider-side error. Contact the provider shown at the bottom of the verification screen.
Official: Kakao – Identity verification keeps failing
Official links to bookmark (no random forums)
KISA (PASS/SMS + alternative verification methods):
https://identity.kisa.or.kr/
Kakao Account verification help:
https://cs.kakao.com/helps?category=188&service=52
NAVER Help (real-name verification support):
https://help.naver.com/service/5640/contents/19180?lang=ko