Seo Samsuk: "Three Major Telecom Companies to Open Retail Stores in All Local Governments Nationwide"

Completion by 2027
Raising Hopes for Bridging the Rural-Urban Digital Divide

Seosamsuk, Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker.

With the three major domestic telecommunications companies confirming plans to establish retail stores in all 226 basic local governments nationwide, residents in rural and fishing communities are expected to receive the same telecommunications services as those in urban areas.

Seosamsuk, a Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker representing Yeongam, Muan, and Shinan in South Jeolla Province, announced on October 14, "The three major telecommunications companies-SKT, KT, and LGU+-have decided to sequentially open retail stores in regions where there are currently no outlets."

Earlier, on October 11, Assemblyman Seo pointed out the inconvenience faced by residents in certain areas without retail stores, who have to travel to nearby cities if they fall victim to USIM hacking. Following this, his office and the three telecom companies held several rounds of discussions and agreed to establish retail stores in all local governments nationwide. The regions currently without retail stores are as follows: KT in 3 locations, SKT in 5 locations, and LGU+ in 47 locations.

KT plans to set up stores in the three basic local governments without outlets by next year. SKT aims to start with Shinan County in March next year and complete installations in the remaining areas by the first half of 2027. LGU+ will open its first store in Shinan County this December, add 21 more in the first half of next year, and gradually open the remaining 25 locations by 2027.

Assemblyman Seo stated, "Residents in rural and fishing communities have the right to receive fair telecommunications services just like those in cities. This decision by the three telecom companies will serve as a turning point in bridging the digital divide between regions." He added, "I will continue to work tirelessly to address the telecommunications gap in rural areas, which was highlighted by the recent USIM hacking incident."

Meanwhile, after the USIM hacking incident in April, which resulted in the leakage of personal information from 26.96 million lines, SKT has been operating a 'mobile USIM replacement service' for digitally vulnerable groups since May, and is also providing education to prevent voice phishing and smishing.

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