Prime Minister Kim Vows Zero Tolerance for Crimes Targeting Ordinary Citizens... Special Crackdown on Jeonse Fraud and More

Presiding Over the Policy Coordination Meeting on State Affairs
"Mobilize All Ministries' Capabilities for Labor Safety"
Strengthening Crackdowns on Counterfeit Goods, Jeonse Fraud, and Voice Phishing

Prime Minister Kim Minseok stated in his opening remarks at the inter-ministerial meeting held on the afternoon of the 30th, "We must respond firmly and without any tolerance to crimes that target ordinary citizens who lack power."

Prime Minister Minseok Kim is presiding over the Ministerial Meeting on State Affairs held on the 30th at the Prime Minister's Office video conference room in the Government Sejong Complex. Photo by Yonhap News

Participating in the policy coordination meeting at the Government Complex Sejong that afternoon, Prime Minister Kim said, "Young people are being driven out onto the streets due to jeonse fraud, and the methods used in voice phishing crimes are becoming astonishingly diverse. I believe we have reached a point where we can no longer leave these issues unattended."

He went on to announce plans to distribute comprehensive guides and checklists for lease contracts, establish a proactive artificial intelligence (AI) detection system to counter voice phishing, and launch special crackdowns on large-scale fraud cases.

In this regard, the Ministry of Justice reported at the meeting that, considering the characteristics of jeonse fraud cases to which the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes cannot be applied, it is reviewing ways to increase the statutory penalties for fraud under the Criminal Act.

The Financial Services Commission decided to support related lawsuits so that 'anti-social loan contracts'?those involving sexual exploitation, threats, or extremely high interest rates?are rendered invalid. It also plans to expand policy finance for ordinary citizens to block the inflow of illegal private loans to vulnerable groups.

Prime Minister Kim further stated, "Industrial sites, which are workplaces, must not become battlefields or places where lives are lost," emphasizing, "We intend to focus on preventive measures centered on the field."

He introduced the "Safe Workplace Project," which involves unannounced inspections and supervision of high-risk workplaces, and stressed, "All government ministries must mobilize their full capabilities for labor safety."

Regarding the comprehensive measures to prevent the distribution of counterfeit goods, which was an agenda item at the meeting, Prime Minister Kim said, "The government has so far only responded after the fact, but now we will utilize advanced technology from the manufacturing and monitoring stages and seek ways to fundamentally block counterfeiting. Through these efforts, we will protect not only honest consumers but also K-brand export companies."

The government plans to expand the number of brands subject to 'AI Counterfeit Goods Monitoring' to 500 by 2027 and to spread the 'one-strike out' policy?which immediately expels counterfeit sellers?across the distribution industry. It will also check whether overseas platforms are fulfilling their responsibilities to prevent the distribution of counterfeit goods.

Prime Minister Kim also addressed illegal occupation facilities along rivers and valleys, stating, "We will intensively inspect areas with repeated violations and take measures such as forced demolition and prosecution. We will do our utmost to support and incentivize local governments that implement these measures effectively."

To this end, a task force (TF) was formed under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety on July 4, and two nationwide investigations have identified a total of 645 illegal occupation facilities.

Prime Minister Kim remarked, "Precious lives have been lost due to the heatwave and heavy rainfall. It is a tragic and heartbreaking situation. Although we did our best to prepare, there were still shortcomings and regrets. We must continue to make even greater efforts moving forward."

This was the second time the policy coordination meeting has been held since Prime Minister Kim took office. The focus of this meeting was to examine risk factors present in everyday life.