Kang Dohyun, 2nd Vice Minister, "Reviewing Data Donation Plans for Vulnerable Groups"

Unlimited Plan Consumers Can Donate Data
"Reviewing Expansion of Data Gift Feature"

The government is considering a plan to allow consumers using unlimited mobile communication service plans to donate mobile data to vulnerable groups.

On the 25th, at the National Assembly Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee's audit, Kang Do-hyun, the 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT, is responding to a question from Park Jung-hoon, a member of the People Power Party. Photo by National Assembly Broadcasting.

On the 25th, during the National Assembly Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee's audit, when Park Jung-hoon, a member of the People Power Party, asked if there were any technical difficulties in donating data to vulnerable groups, Kang Do-hyun, the 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT, replied, "We are reviewing the plan."

Park proposed expanding the current data gifting function, which is only available among family members, to vulnerable groups as a concept to supplement public Wi-Fi blind spots.

Vice Minister Kang said, "When I reported to the Minister, he said it was a good idea and instructed us to review it," adding, "There is a function to send about 2GB as a gift, and we are looking into whether there is a way to expand that area."

He continued, "We are in the practical consultation stage with telecom companies, but the government has not disclosed any plans at the idea level," and added, "We plan to conduct comprehensive consultations with operators considering various issues raised during the audit."

Regarding criticism that the coverage of public Wi-Fi is weak and thus ineffective, Minister Yoo Sang-im of the Ministry of Science and ICT said, "Wi-Fi installation has been completed over a long period, so no more budget is being spent," and added, "We plan to re-examine to see if there are any blind spots and request additional budget if necessary."

Yoo Sang-im, the newly appointed Minister of Science and ICT, is delivering a greeting at the Economic Ministers' Meeting held on the 28th at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

Regarding the situation where illegal relay devices used for voice phishing are being distributed on overseas direct purchase sites, Minister Yoo said, "We do not manage related distribution status as separate statistics," and added, "Legal grounds for import regulation need to be established."

When Jo In-cheol, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, asked if the increasing channel number transmission fees related to home shopping were being reviewed, Minister Yoo said, "We have been operating a Home Shopping Industry Competitiveness Enhancement Task Force (TF) since June," and added, "We are seriously considering the transmission fee issue to come up with a reasonable solution."

Regarding Lee Hoon-gi, a Democratic Party member's criticism that the government's 5G mobile communication service quality measurement results are evaluated better than reality, Minister Yoo said, "We will continue to strive to provide users with more convenience." He explained, "The government's quality evaluation is conducted under optimal conditions for various comparisons, but users may not have the best conditions such as the latest devices or full battery, so there can be variations even in the same (evaluation) area."

Lee said, "I understand that measurements are conducted with over 1 billion won spent," and added, "Since a lot of money is spent, I hope that various conditions and situations are considered so that the measurements contribute to communication quality service and consumers." Minister Yoo responded, "Thank you for the good suggestion."