[2021 National Audit] Jo Seung-rae: "5 Years Since Sign Language Act Enactment, LGU+ Has Not Provided Sign Language Service"

Jo Seung-rae, a member of the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Communication Committee (Democratic Party of Korea).

[Asia Economy Reporter Eunmo Koo] Five years after the enactment of the Korean Sign Language Act (Sign Language Act), it has been revealed that barriers to communication service access for the hearing impaired remain high. The Sign Language Act was enacted in 2016 to recognize sign language, used as the first language by the deaf, as equal to the Korean language, thereby guaranteeing the language rights and quality of life of the hearing impaired.

According to data submitted by the Ministry of Science and ICT on the 20th, obtained by Assemblyman Seungrae Cho of the National Assembly’s Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Committee from the Democratic Party, among the three major mobile carriers, only LG Uplus does not operate sign language consultation services for subscription, cancellation, or customer service for the hearing impaired.

Assemblyman Cho reported that LG Uplus responded that they handle issues as much as possible through chat consultations and that sign language consultation services are under review. In contrast, SK Telecom and KT stated that they provide sign language consultation services.

Recently, civic groups filed a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission, requesting correction of discrimination against the deaf due to the absence of sign language consultation at LG Uplus. Article 21 of the Act on the Prohibition of Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities stipulates that telecommunications service providers must offer services so that persons with disabilities can access and use services on equal terms with non-disabled persons.

Assemblyman Seungrae Cho said, “While Korea’s communication services are advanced, being the world’s first to commercialize 5G, the guarantee of service accessibility for persons with disabilities is neglected and shows a backward appearance,” adding, “The government must step up to inspect and take measures so that no one is discriminated against and everyone can use communication services.”