On the 25th, the Ministry of Science and ICT announced that it has issued a broadcasting and communication disaster alert at the 'caution' level due to widespread damage to broadcasting and communication facilities from a series of large wildfires.
The Ministry of Science and ICT has maintained the broadcasting and communication disaster alert at the 'concern' level since the onset of the wildfires in Gyeongnam region, and activated an emergency response system in collaboration with mobile communication operators and paid broadcasting operators. As the wildfires spread rapidly and additional damage to broadcasting and communication facilities occurred, raising concerns about a large-scale broadcasting and communication disaster, the alert was elevated to 'caution' according to the manual.
The Ministry of Science and ICT is operating a broadcasting and communication disaster response situation room, regularly receiving reports on the situation and preparing a response posture. It also plans to mobilize measures such as disaster roaming and opening disaster Wi-Fi if necessary.
The Ministry of Science and ICT also announced that it will implement support measures in the information and communication sector for the areas designated as special disaster zones due to the large wildfires: ▲ Ulsan Ulju-gun ▲ Gyeongbuk Uiseong-gun ▲ Gyeongnam Sancheong-gun ▲ Gyeongnam Hadong-gun. It will reduce communication service fees for residents of these areas, including mobile phone, landline, internet phone, and high-speed internet services, and will also promote reductions in fees for paid broadcasting services such as IPTV, cable TV, and satellite broadcasting.
Mobile communication service fees will be reduced by 12,500 won per household for one line for households affected in special disaster zones. Landline and internet phone fees will be reduced by 100% for monthly fees, and high-speed internet fees will be reduced by 50% for monthly fees.
Paid broadcasting service fees will be set by each paid broadcasting company at a level exceeding a 50% reduction in the basic fee for one month.
The Ministry of Science and ICT will send out notices reflecting the reduction amount in early next month, and those eligible for the reduction will receive the benefits without any separate application.