'20,000 Won Communication Fee' Includes Prepaid Phones, Excludes Corporate Phones... "No Application Procedure Needed"

[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgina Jo] In the wake of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), detailed criteria and content have been disclosed regarding the 20,000 KRW nationwide communication fee payment for those aged 13 and above, prepared by the ruling party and government.

According to the Ministry of Science and ICT on the 15th, the principle is to provide 20,000 KRW support for one mobile communication line per person currently held as of September, targeting all citizens aged 13 and above born before December 31, 2007. MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) and prepaid phones are also included, while corporate phones are excluded.

The basic principles are established as follows: ▲ If both prepaid and postpaid phones are used, postpaid phones are prioritized for support ▲ If there are multiple postpaid phones, the phone activated first is prioritized ▲ If only prepaid phones are held, prepaid phones with more than 15 days of usage period remaining as of the end of September are supported.

The payment method is principally to deduct the amount from the September bill during October. If the bill is less than 20,000 KRW, the amount will be carried over to the next month or otherwise adjusted so that a fixed 20,000 KRW support is provided.

No separate application procedure is required. If the phone is used under another family member’s name, it can be changed to the user’s own name to receive support. The Ministry of Science and ICT explained, "By simply bringing an ID card and health insurance card or a family relation certificate to a nearby agency or sales point, the change can be easily made," and added, "We are discussing easier methods with telecommunication companies."

If eligible for support, notification will be sent in advance via text message (SMS) to the relevant mobile communication line. Additionally, after the payment, a notification regarding the deduction will be sent again.

The Ministry of Science and ICT plans to provide more detailed information via SMS after the National Assembly budget bill is passed. For inquiries, consultation is available through the Ministry of Science and ICT CS Center (☎1335) and telecommunication company call centers (☎114). From next week, a dedicated call center (☎1344) will also be operated.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.