"Why Block Seoul Public Wi-Fi?" District Mayor Supports... Ministry of Science and ICT Says "Must Follow Laws"

[Asia Economy Reporter Seol Gina] "Why oppose Seoul City's public Wi-Fi, which is the demand of the absolute majority of ten million citizens? (Seoul City District Mayors)" "The project should be promoted within the framework allowed by current laws. There is also a national concern about redundant investment of resources. (Ministry of Science and ICT)"

The Seoul City District Mayors' Council criticized the Ministry of Science and ICT, which put the brakes on Seoul City's public Wi-Fi project, escalating the controversy between local and central governments over public Wi-Fi. As public opinion warfare expanded with the support of the district mayors, the Ministry of Science and ICT responded with detailed rebuttals.

On the 24th, the Ministry of Science and ICT issued a separate explanatory statement, refuting point by point the position announced the previous day by the Seoul City District Mayors' Council. First, the Ministry welcomed Seoul City's initiative to provide free Wi-Fi services to guarantee citizens' basic communication rights, stating it could enhance national communication welfare, but pointed out that the self-owned network method Seoul City is pursuing violates laws and regulations.

Currently, the legal methods for building public Wi-Fi include ▲ projects where the government and local governments invest funds and telecom companies build, operate, and maintain the network ▲ establishing local public enterprises or special purpose corporations (SPC), or Seoul City-affiliated organizations providing public Wi-Fi services ▲ local governments leasing self-owned networks to telecom companies, which then provide Wi-Fi services to the local governments with discounted line fees.

However, the self-owned network method pursued by Seoul City falls under prohibitions in the Telecommunications Business Act, such as the ban on national or local government operating backbone telecommunications services (Article 7) and restrictions on using self-owned networks for purposes other than intended (Article 65). In the past, the central government’s Ministry of Communications supplied telecommunication services, but since transitioning to a private supply and competitive system in 1991, it has restricted national or local government officials from directly providing backbone telecommunications services.

In particular, the Ministry of Science and ICT pointed out concerns about Seoul City's approach, stating, "Many experts have expressed worries regarding periodic upgrades of communication services, security management, and rapid technological advancement response." It also noted, "Seoul already has a considerable level of network infrastructure, raising concerns about redundant national resource investment." While approximately 150,000 km of commercial networks exist across six telecom companies, Seoul City's self-owned network is about 4,000 km.

Furthermore, the Ministry emphasized, "The purpose of related laws that distinguish the roles of government and private operators in providing efficient and stable communication services and restrict direct communication service provision by local governments or the government must be respected," and urged, "Seoul City needs to promote the public Wi-Fi project through the three methods allowed under current laws."

Currently, the Ministry of Science and ICT and Seoul City are discussing reasonable alternatives through a public Wi-Fi working-level consultative body.

The previous day, the Seoul City District Mayors' Council released a statement titled 'Position of the Seoul City District Mayors' Council on the Promotion of Seoul City Public Wi-Fi Project.' The council argued, "It is a fundamental duty of local governments to expand public services for citizens, and Seoul City's public Wi-Fi project reflects the demand of the absolute majority of ten million Seoul citizens," adding, "Providing public services by local governments is not subject to business restrictions under the Telecommunications Business Act." They also stated, "Restricting the expansion of local governments' public services is inconsistent with the era of decentralization," and urged the Ministry of Science and ICT to "move beyond narrow legal interpretations and actively support Seoul City's public Wi-Fi project."