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From limitless LTE to cram school crackdowns, gov't rolls out list of public relief initiatives

Published: 09 Apr. 2026, 18:54

A person walks by a telecommunications store in Seoul on April 9. [NEWS1]

The government rolled out a list of policies to help alleviate the burden of inflation on the public, including a new mobile data service from telecommunications companies and fines for unfair fees at private cram schools.

The measures were prepared through a joint ministerial task force meeting at the central government complex in Jongno District, central Seoul, on Thursday to discuss special measures to manage everyday costs.

To mitigate the burden of communications costs, Korea’s three major carriers — SK Telecom, KT and LG U+ — will allow users to continue using data at a minimum speed free of charge even after exhausting their subscription allotment across all LTE and 5G services.

Although this option is currently available only for several plans, it will be expanded to all plans offered by the country’s three major carriers. The government estimates that about 7.17 million users will benefit from the new measure, saving a combined 322.1 billion won ($217 million) annually in mobile bills.

“We plan to complete the restructuring with the three telecom companies within the first half of the year,” an official from the Ministry of Science and ICT said.

Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol speaks during a ministerial meeting on livelihoods at the central governmental complex in Jongno District, central Seoul, on April 9. [YONHAP]

In response to the rising prices of laptops due to high semiconductor prices, the government plans to increase the supply of computers used in public institutions that are distributed to disadvantaged groups for free by local governments.

Kang Gi-ryong, deputy vice minister at the Ministry of Finance and Economy, said that the government intends to significantly increase the number of PCs handed over to localities from the current 25 percent of computers used by state agencies.

“[The government] has confirmed that there is demand for such PCs among organizations serving socially disadvantaged groups,” Kang said.

Packages of Australian beef are on display at a supermarket in Seoul on April 7. [NEWS1]

Using the 4.8 trillion won increase in local education subsidies included in the pending supplementary budget, education offices across the country plan to expand programs that help students from low-income households buy computers.

Considering recent price trends, support per student will be raised from 1.04 million won last year, but the specific amount has not been disclosed.

The policy to provide one device — such as a laptop or tablet — per student will also be implemented without disruption.

“For young people today, laptops are essential devices for studying and other purposes,” the deputy vice finance minister said. “The government must take the necessary steps to help those who cannot afford them themselves.”

Banners are posted in an area where private academies are clustered in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, on March 12. [YONHAP]

The government will also strengthen penalties for illegal increases in private academy fees. Although the current legal framework prohibits academies from charging more than the announced tuition, surcharges have been applied under various pretexts, such as textbook and mock-exam fees. The government will introduce a new penalty system to reclaim illicit gains.

A penalty of up to 50 percent of an academy’s total profit is under consideration. Fines for misreporting or misadvertising tuition will also be raised from the current maximum of 3 million won to 10 million won. Rewards for reporting illegal practices will increase tenfold. Compensation for reporting unregistered teaching will jump from 200,000 won to 2 million won, while that for overcharging will be raised from 100,000 won to 1 million won.

Additional measures to stabilize the prices of other items are also planned.

Regarding school uniforms, the government will conclude its investigation into alleged collusion among four manufacturers and cap the maximum price for each item within the first half of this year.

To address high residential maintenance fees, the government will revise the law to mandate the disclosure of maintenance fee details for all residential buildings. It will soon announce measures to improve the bidding system for the selection of property management.

The government also said it will monitor the price and supply status of 43 specially managed items, including manufactured goods and processed foods, to mitigate the inflationary impact of rising oil prices resulting from the Iran war.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY NAM SOO-HYOUN [[email protected]]