At 68 community centers including Seodaemun-gu
Report of service disruption for small business owners
Policy on payment of consolation money after confirmation of disability
KT announced on the 10th a compensation plan for service disruptions following a fire at its Ahyeon branch in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. The plan includes fee reductions based on the duration of the disruption, as well as compensation payments based on reports of service disruptions to small business owners.

As previously announced, KT will offer a one-month discount on its wired and wireless service for customers. Furthermore, KT will offer up to six months' worth of discounts for subscribers to the cable-based wired service affected by the fire. Cable-based internet users will receive a total of three months' discount, while cable-based PSTN users will receive a total of six months' discount.

The discount amount is calculated as the average of your usage fees over the past three months (August to October), and the calculated fee will be reduced monthly based on the discount period (months 1, 3, or 6). The discount will apply to bills billed in January 2019. For cable-based internet subscribers, it will apply to bills billed from January to March 2019, and for cable-based landline subscribers, it will apply to bills billed from January to June 2019.

For wireless subscribers, rate reduction recipients were selected based on the region and time of communication disruption, while for wired subscribers, rate reduction recipients were selected based on the line. Those eligible for the rate reduction can check the details on the KT website (www.kt.com) and the "My KT" smartphone app starting on the 12th. KT plans to identify additional eligible subscribers through the appeals process.

Additionally, KT will begin accepting reports of service interruptions from small business owners who have experienced inconveniences due to phone ordering or credit card payment issues. In collaboration with the Seodaemun-gu, Mapo-gu, Eunpyeong-gu, Yongsan-gu, and Jung-gu districts in Seoul, staff will be stationed at 68 community centers in these districts for two weeks, from the 12th to the 26th, to receive reports. Small business owners with annual revenue of 500 million won or less and KT landline and internet subscribers in areas experiencing service interruptions and experiencing phone ordering or credit card payment issues can apply individually.

The service interruption reporting center (080-390-1111) is the community center of all Seodaemun-gu, Mapo-gu, Eunpyeong-gu, and Yongsan-gu (excluding Huam-dong), the community centers of Hwajeon-dong, Samsong-dong, Changneung-dong, Hyoja-dong, and Daedeok-dong in Deogyang-gu, Goyang-si, the community center of Jungnim-dong in Jung-gu, and the community center of Yeoui-dong in Yeongdeungpo-gu.

According to the Specialized Credit Finance Act, small business owners with annual sales of 500 million won or less, who qualify as microcredit card merchants, can report their disability to a nearby community center with their ID and a copy of their business registration certificate. KT plans to verify the facts of the report and provide compensation. Individual recipients and the amount of compensation will be notified.

Separately, KT is running a campaign where employees of the Gwanghwamun Building and Hyehwa Branch can have lunch and dinner at restaurants in the area. In addition, in consultation with the market prosperity association of traditional markets, a program to revitalize local businesses, such as providing shopping baskets to market visitors who purchase over a certain amount, will be implemented starting on the 12th.

To minimize inconvenience to small business owners during service outages, KT has operated a "Small Business Help Desk" at its Yongsan Customer Center and its Eunpyeong, Seodaemun, and Sinchon branches. KT has also provided free wireless routers, wireless payment terminals, call forwarding services, and rental phones. To expedite recovery, the company has also been converting copper cables to fiber optic cables.

KT plans to consolidate and operate its 'Small Business Help Desk', which was previously operated in four locations including the Yongsan Customer Center, into the Yongsan Customer Center (080-390-1111) starting on the 12th.

KT Marketing Division Vice President Lee Pil-jae said, “We sincerely apologize to customers who experienced difficulties due to the wired and wireless service disruption caused by the fire.”