A Safe Holiday Protected by Gangwon Province: A Chuseok Without Voice Phishing

Starting in Wonju on September 24, training sessions will be held across all 18 cities and counties through the end of October
On-site education led by active-duty police officers
Covers voice phishing tactics, response strategies, and hands-on simulation training

Gangwon Province Special Self-Governing Province (Governor Kim Jin-tae) announced on September 23 that it will launch a full-scale educational campaign to prevent voice phishing crimes targeting the elderly in the province, as attempts at such crimes tend to surge around the Chuseok holiday.

Voice Phishing Crime Prevention Poster. Provided by Gangwon Province Special Self-Governing Province

In recent years, the amount of financial losses caused by voice phishing has continued to rise annually, with nearly half of all victims being seniors aged 60 or older. This has created an urgent need for on-site training that can effectively enhance practical response capabilities.

This educational initiative is being carried out in cooperation with the Gangwon Provincial Police Agency, with active-duty police officers serving as instructors. They will visit senior centers and welfare facilities across all 18 cities and counties in the province. The first session will be held at the Wonju Senior Citizens Association on September 24 and will continue through the end of October. The program is designed to go beyond simple lectures, focusing on hands-on practice and participation so that attendees can immediately apply the response techniques in their daily lives.

The curriculum includes: ▲ Major voice phishing tactics and real-life case studies ▲ Analysis of common types such as loan scams, impersonation of institutions or family members, and messenger phishing ▲ Review of the latest schemes involving cryptocurrency and remote-control apps ▲ Preventive behaviors and response strategies ▲ Real-time Q&A and scenario-based simulation training.

For example, participants will engage in simulated scenarios where police officers make phone calls, allowing them to learn step-by-step responses when suspicious signs are detected. Fake text messages and disguised apps will be displayed on actual screens to help participants easily distinguish them from legitimate notifications. Through these exercises, the program aims to reduce vague anxieties and help participants form concrete habits for effective responses.

Meanwhile, since 2021, Gangwon Province Special Self-Governing Province has been working to strengthen residents' digital skills through the Digital Learning Center initiative. By operating EduBus and Experience Zones, the province has improved educational accessibility and established a sustainable learning system by linking repeated training with counseling services.

The provincial government expects that this preventive education will help seniors develop habits to recognize warning signs early and respond immediately, thereby enhancing their self-protection abilities. In addition, through a collaborative system involving the province, the Gangwon Provincial Police Agency, and local governments, a robust safety net will be established throughout the community. It is also anticipated that seniors who receive the training will share what they have learned with their families and neighbors, further spreading a culture of safety.

Yoon Wooyoung, Director of Administration for Gangwon Province Special Self-Governing Province, stated, "Voice phishing is not just a simple crime but a serious social issue that threatens the lives of the elderly. By delivering the real-life experiences and response strategies of active-duty police officers during this vulnerable period around Chuseok, and by building a continuous learning system through the Digital Learning Center, we will empower residents to protect themselves."

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