Blocking Voice Phishing Numbers Reduced from 30 Days to 3... Ministry of Science and ICT's 'Speedy Administration' Shines

The administrative process to block phone numbers used for voice phishing and illegal loan advertisements, which previously took nearly a month, has now been reduced to about three days. This improvement comes as the Ministry of Science and ICT, in cooperation with the National Police Agency and the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA), has upgraded the blocking system for illegal phone numbers to a real-time response mode. This is being hailed as a case where a so-called "race for administrative speed" to protect the public from harm has led to tangible institutional improvements.

On April 13, the Ministry of Science and ICT held the '2026 1st Proactive Administration Best Practice Award Ceremony' and selected the 'Establishment of a Rapid Crime Prevention and Illegal Phone Number Suspension and Blocking System' as the top example.

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Previously, even when an order to suspend the use of an illegal phone number was issued, it was difficult to immediately determine which telecommunications company the number belonged to, causing repeated delays. At times, it could take up to 30 days to block a number, making it difficult to prevent the spread of voice phishing damage.

The Ministry of Science and ICT swiftly improved the key procedures that caused these delays. By working with the National Police Agency and the Korea Internet & Security Agency to link the spam number blocking systems, and by building a new system to instantly identify the relevant telecom company, the ministry was able to drastically reduce the processing period for suspensions from up to 30 days to about three days through proactive interpretation of the law.

Beyond simply shortening processing times, this has significant meaning as it established an integrated inter-agency response system for communications-related crimes. By cutting off phone numbers used for crime at an early stage, a foundation was created to proactively reduce harm to the public.

The achievement of 'becoming the second country in the world to resume international mail service to the United States' was also selected as a top example. In August of last year, following changes in U.S. customs policy that introduced new pre-arrival customs declaration and payment procedures, international mail services to the U.S. were suspended worldwide.

The Korea Post began collaborating with customs payment agents the day after their designation, immediately activating a dedicated response system and accelerating the development of an IT system. As a result, a process expected to take more than three months was completed in just 20 days, making Korea the second country, after the United Kingdom, to resume international mail service to the United States.

This was highly regarded for quickly resolving inconveniences faced by parents needing to send emergency items to their children studying abroad, as well as small businesses that had lost access to the U.S. export market.

In addition, other excellent and commendable cases included the reorganization of research institute evaluation systems reflecting feedback from the field; improvements to the management system for text message operators to eradicate illegal spam; relaxation of general mail delivery standards to ensure postal worker safety; support for small business owners affected by fire damage to national information resources; and strengthening ready-mixed concrete quality and public safety through 5G-based smart factories.

Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT Bae Kyunghoon stated, "These are cases where proactive problem-solving in the field has helped ensure public safety and address issues affecting daily life." He added, "We will continue to expand field-centered proactive administration to deliver tangible policy outcomes that the public can truly feel."

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