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Kim Young-seop, CEO of KT, bows in apology during a press conference at KT’s Gwanghwamun West building in Jongno, Seoul, on September 11, addressing the recent unauthorized micro-payment incidents. |
[Alpha Biz= Paul Lee] The fallout continues to grow for KT after a surge in customer inquiries over unauthorized small-payment charges, which have now reached more than 90,000 cases.
According to data submitted by KT to Rep. Hwang Jung-ah of the National Assembly’s Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee on September 14, a total of 92,034 inquiries related to micro-payment issues had been received by 6 p.m. on September 11. This figure is roughly six times higher than the 15,044 complaints filed across the entire mobile micro-payment market last year.
KT’s internal investigation confirmed 278 victims with damages, including canceled transactions, amounting to approximately 170 million won (US$124,000). However, given the overwhelming volume of customer inquiries, concerns are mounting over so-called “shadow damages” that may not yet have been identified.
Rep. Hwang’s office revealed that it had requested data from KT covering the number of users and transaction amounts for micro-payments between August 27 and September 6. KT reportedly responded on September 10 that it could not provide accurate figures immediately, citing that the information was managed on a monthly basis.
Alphabiz Reporter Paul Lee(hoondork1977@alphabiz.co.kr)
