Kang Dohyun, 2nd Vice Minister, "Will Do Everything Possible Before the Abolition of the Mobile Phone Distribution Act" (Comprehensive)

On the 6th, Ministry of Science and ICT Visits 'Seongji' Riverside Technomart
Merchant: "Expecting Free Competition with the Abolition of the Handset Distribution Act"
Deputy Minister Kang: "Aiming to Ease the Burden of Device Costs on Citizens"

Kang Dohyun, the 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT, visited Gangbyeon Technomart, commonly referred to as the so-called 'holy ground,' and emphasized strengthening on-site cooperation regarding the abolition of the Device Distribution Improvement Act and the revision of its enforcement decree.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 6th, Kang Dohyun, the 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT, visited a mobile carrier store inside Gangbyeon Technomart in Seoul and stated, "The revision of the enforcement decree is planned to be discussed as a priority at the Cabinet meeting held today," adding, "Before the abolition, we will prioritize what can be done through the enforcement decree." The government is completing the revision of the enforcement decree and promoting the establishment and revision of notifications to activate competition prior to the abolition of the Device Distribution Improvement Act.

As part of follow-up measures after the public discussion forum, the Ministry of Science and ICT visited this place, known as the so-called 'holy ground,' to check the market situation following the push for the abolition of the Device Distribution Improvement Act and to listen to the opinions of the three major mobile carriers and retail stores.

Vice Minister Kang directly listened to the difficulties faced by store merchants and shared the purpose and progress of the law's abolition. The merchants expressed expectations for the abolition of the Device Distribution Improvement Act, such as shortening the device replacement cycle and activating competition.

Mr. Lee Kihoon, who operates a retail store, said, "Citizens visit Technomart to purchase mobile phones under slightly cheaper conditions," adding, "Currently, the replacement cycle is three years, but if reasonable prices are formed through competition activation, consumers will replace their devices every two years, maintaining the consumption ecosystem."

He continued, "In a situation where free competition is difficult, selling devices cheaply makes one a lawbreaker," and added, "I hope that through the abolition of the Device Distribution Improvement Act, free competition will improve the sales environment and consumer welfare."

Vice Minister Kang stated, "Through the abolition of the Device Distribution Improvement Act, we will activate competition among businesses so that the benefits of reducing device cost burdens can return to the public. At the same time, we will actively promote various measures to reduce communication costs, such as revitalizing the use of used phones, expanding the release of mid- to low-priced devices, and diversifying 5G mid- to low-priced plans."

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