Ministries link free data calls to flood aid ahead of Chuseok

As South Korea prepares for Chuseok, multiple ministries are executing a coordinated campaign that blends digital convenience with physical safety nets. The government is expanding communication infrastructure for travelers, tightening inspections on fraudulent health products and accelerating financial aid for regions recently hit by severe floods.

The Ministry of Science and ICT announced it will work with telecommunications and platform companies to support a "comfortable and warm Chuseok holiday through digital means." Measures include 24-hour emergency response operations and intensified monitoring of services closely related to daily life, such as communications, transportation, travel, delivery, and online shopping.

To help people exchange greetings without cost, telecom providers will offer free video call data for all subscribers, including mobile virtual network operator users, during the four-day holiday from September 24 to 27. During last year's seven-day Chuseok holiday, approximately 2.8 million people used free video calls for about 310,000 hours.

Platform companies are also enhancing map app features to guide users to emergency medical facilities, free parking lots, and traditional markets. Tmap added traditional markets to its quick search function, while KakaoMap included them in recommended search terms.

The Ministry and telecom companies have tripled communication equipment in key sections of the Gyeongbu, Honam, and Jeolla KTX lines. Telecom operators also expanded base station capacity at major hubs including highways, train stations, airports, and tourist sites, completing approximately 37,000 preliminary inspections.

Support for small partners and merchants includes early payment of dues and funding support. Telecom companies plan to push a Chuseok coexistence program worth about 300 billion won. Platform industries also plan to reduce burdens on small merchants through early settlement payments and advertising fee support.

The government is also improving the system for overdue communication fees. The period during which recipients can receive calls and texts will be expanded by about four times, from 21 days to up to three months. Basic services such as identity verification and phishing spam blocking will be provided without interruption. Small payment arrears will be excluded from reasons for service suspension.

The Ministry of Interior and Safety declared Baeksu-eup in Yeonggwang-gun, Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City, a special disaster area following heavy rains from August 28 to September 1. The declaration followed presidential approval on September 17 after a joint central survey confirmed damage exceeded the threshold. Rainfall reached a maximum of 107.5 mm per hour and 579.5 mm cumulatively in Yeonggwang-gun.

Declared areas will receive additional national funding for local restoration costs. Residents will receive disaster relief funds, tax payment deferrals, and reductions in public utility fees. Minister Yoon Ho-joong stated the government aims to help residents recover their daily lives quickly through rapid restoration planning and budget execution.

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters confirmed damage from heavy rains between August 15 and 18 at 80 billion won and decided to invest a total of 230.8 billion won in restoration. Of this, 21.3 billion won is for disaster relief funds for private facilities, and 209.5 billion won is for public facility restoration.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety detected 308 cases of illegal distribution and unfair advertising of quasi-drugs, cosmetics, and medical devices online. Violations included 45 cases for quasi-drugs, 63 for cosmetics, and 200 for medical devices. The ministry requested site blocks from the Korea Communications Standards Commission and asked relevant agencies to inspect the companies.

For cosmetics, 44 cases involved advertising implying medicinal effects such as "skin regeneration" or "anti-aging." For medical devices, 142 cases involved illegal distribution via overseas direct purchases, and 58 cases involved industrial products falsely advertised as medical devices claiming pain relief.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety also visited its sister city, Jecheon-si, to return a performance reward bonus. Vice Minister Kim Yong-jae delivered a donation of 5 million won, derived entirely from a bonus the ministry received for being selected as an outstanding institution in performance target management for 2025. He also visited Jecheon Naeto Market to check food safety and encourage merchants.