Suwon City Partners with KT for the Nation's First 'Two-Way Text Messaging Service'

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Suwon City in Gyeonggi Province has introduced the nation's first 'two-way text messaging service' that allows public officials and citizens to communicate via text messages.

Suwon City announced on the 2nd that, in collaboration with KT Corporation, it has established a 'two-way text messaging service' system where the city sends image files of notices and guidance documents to citizens, who can then confirm the message and reply via text.

Until now, the notification and guidance text messages sent by Suwon City to citizens did not have a function for recipients to respond.

With the two-way text messaging service, the city plans to send notices (agree/disagree) and guidance documents (receipt confirmation), and expand the service to be used for surveys (support/oppose) and reservations (attend/not attend).

The system allows bulk sending of text messages, including document files, to multiple recipients at once, and reply messages can be aggregated in real time. Recipients can easily use the service without installing any separate application.

Sending documents that were previously sent by registered mail through the two-way text messaging service also reduces costs. Registered mail costs 2,800 KRW per item, whereas text messages with attached images can be sent for 88 KRW per item. It is also efficient as it saves manpower needed for data production, sending, and storage.

Recently, the city used the two-way text messaging service to send 'Military Noise Compensation Decision Notices' to about 50,000 people. The notices were delivered quickly and accurately to complainants awaiting compensation, resulting in high satisfaction among citizens who received the text messages.

A city official explained, "The two-way text messaging service was a necessary service for public officials in charge of civil affairs and citizens," adding, "It allows for more efficient administrative work and reduces costs, achieving two benefits at once."