 |
|
|
|
 |
Statement: The exclusion of the clause for separated public disclosure, which is a core item of the Mobile Device Distribution Improvement Act, under the pressure from a specific mobile device distribution business, impairs the purpose of the law
|
|
|
#701 Seoul YWCA 20, Myeong-dong 11-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, Korea
TEL.: 82-2-774-4050/FAX: 82-2-774-4090
|
|
|
|
|
: The Information and Communication Committee of KNCCO
Jung Ji-Yeon, Secretary General.
|
|
|
|
The exclusion of the clause for separated public disclosure, which is a core item of the Mobile Device Distribution Improvement Act, under the pressure from a specific mobile device distribution business, impairs the purpose of the law
- The exclusion of the Mobile Device Distribution Improvement Act should be withdrawn
- The President Park’s election pledge for lowering communications expenses should be kept
- The rights of Consumers should be put ahead of a specific business
☐ With regard to the deletion (9/24/2014) of the notice about the separate public disclosure of sales incentives paid by a manufacturer and the subsidies paid by a communications service provider from the Mobile Device Distribution Improvement Act by the Regulatory Reform Committee of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, the Information and Communication Committee of KNCCO (President: Lee Deok-seung) would like to express its concerns about the decision made by the Ministry of Strategy and Finance (MOSF) and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE). The reason that the KNCCO is concerned is because these two agencies broke their promise to consumers in order to help a specified business post a higher operating profit.
☐ The separate public disclosure of sales incentives paid by a manufacturer and subsidies paid by a communications service provide is the core item of the Mobile Device Distribution Improvement Act and was agreed to after a lengthy discussion between the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning (MSIP); the Korea Communications Commission (KCC); businesses; scholars; and consumer organizations. It was expected that the separate disclosure would lead to the establishment of a transparent and fair mobile device market, the lowering of mobile device prices, and the securing of consumers’ right. However, the Regulatory Reform Committee took side with one specific business on the excuse of protecting the business’s operating secrets. The committee did so without considering consumers’ benefits or rights thus impairing the purpose of the said act.
□ Under the separate disclosure, the amount of subsidies provided by a manufacturer and a telecom business would be clearly disclosed and would help consumers choose which mobile device to buy based on the information about the amount of subsidies paid for each mobile device. Thus, we cannot help but express our deep regret over the Regulatory Reform Committee’s decision not to reflect the general population’s demands.
□ We at KNCCO once again urge that the Mobile Device Distribution Improvement Act, which contains President Park’s election pledge for lowering communications expenses, should pass through the National Assembly without lawmakers changing the clause concerning the separate disclosure of the Mobile Device Distribution Improvement Act.
-----------------------------Partners of Korea National Council of Consumer Organizations------------------------------
National YMCA of Korea, Green Consumers Network in Korea, Korea Federation of Housewives Clubs, National Council of Homemakers Classes, Korea Consumer Education Center, National Council of YMCAs of Korea, Consumers Union of Korea, Consumer Affairs Institute, Citizens Alliance for Consumer Protection of Korea
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
