Choi Min-hee, chairperson of the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information, Broadcasting and Communications Committee and a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized SK Telecom on the 6th for not applying its terms despite modifying them in response to past criticisms from the Fair Trade Commission during this server hacking incident.
According to Choi, the three telecommunications companies, including SK Telecom, had operated terms of service imposing cancellation penalties on customers regardless of the company's responsibility until 2015, and they were prompted to self-correct following a violation notice from the Fair Trade Commission. Subsequently, SK Telecom added a provision stating that cancellation penalties could be waived if the termination was due to the company's fault.
However, Choi pointed out that SK Telecom is avoiding responsibility by not confirming whether to waive penalties despite some users wishing to cancel due to the recent hacking incident, citing comprehensive internal reviews and board resolutions as reasons. He urged that "the waiver of penalties according to the terms of service is a measure consistent with public common sense" and called for prompt implementation.
Previously, SK Telecom has repeatedly stated that it is "comprehensively reviewing legal and practical matters" regarding whether to waive penalties, and specific policies have not yet been finalized.