Uljin-gun SKT Service Outage → Resumed in 2 Hours... Ministry of Science and ICT "Full Response"

Crisis Alert Raised to 'Caution'
Full Efforts for Restoration of Broadcasting and Communication Disruptions
Measures Such as Disaster Roaming Implemented

Due to wildfires, SK Telecom's mobile communication service was interrupted throughout the Uljin-gun area in Gyeongsangbuk-do but was restored using nearby lines. The Ministry of Science and ICT has announced its commitment to fully respond to the restoration of broadcasting and communication disruptions caused by the wildfire spread.

On the 26th, the Uljin Coast Guard in Gyeongbuk is rescuing residents stranded at ports or breakwaters due to wildfires. Photo by Yonhap News

On the 26th, the Ministry of Science and ICT stated that it is making every effort to respond to the nationwide simultaneous wildfire spread through a close reporting and cooperation system among the government, telecommunications companies, and comprehensive wired broadcasting companies.

When a fire broke out in the Uiseong area of Gyeongbuk on the 25th and spread to nearby regions, the Ministry upgraded the broadcasting and communication disaster alert from the 'interest' stage to 'caution' at around 7:19 PM that day to proactively respond to damage to large-scale broadcasting and communication facilities. Subsequently, through the operation of the broadcasting and communication disaster response situation room, the ministry strengthened a 24-hour response posture between the government and operators.

At around 10:27 PM that day, SK Telecom's mobile communication service was interrupted throughout the Uljin-gun area due to the wildfire. In response, the Ministry issued a disaster roaming order to KT at 10:33 PM. During the disaster roaming application test, SK Telecom independently restored mobile communication services in the affected area at around 12:28 AM on the 26th by utilizing nearby lines that were not damaged by the wildfire.

Disaster roaming refers to a disaster measure under the Broadcasting and Communications Development Act, which provides services to users of a telecommunications company experiencing a mobile communication service outage by using the wireless communication facilities of another operator.

Meanwhile, broadcasting and communication disruptions in the northern Gyeongbuk areas such as Uiseong and Andong mainly occurred due to Korea Electric Power Corporation's power cut measures to prevent accident risks caused by large wildfires. The government and operators are conducting restoration work sequentially and safely in accordance with KEPCO's power restoration and wildfire suppression.

A Ministry of Science and ICT official stated, "In response to the wildfire spread and broadcasting and communication disruptions, we are maintaining a full-scale response system through 24-hour monitoring," adding, "We will do our utmost in response and restoration to ensure the public’s use of broadcasting and communication services during disaster situations."

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