"Help me"—Call Will Connect Even if Mobile Phone Service Stopped for Unpaid Bills

Starting in October, those whose mobile phone service has been suspended due to unpaid bills will be able to use the Suicide Prevention Hotline 109.

The Presidential Committee on Regulatory Reform, the Ministry of Science and ICT, and the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced on the 8th that they will jointly promote institutional improvements to designate the Suicide Prevention Hotline 109 as an emergency communication service.

This measure was implemented following public feedback posted on the Blue House social media channels that people with suspended mobile phone service due to economic difficulties were unable to access the 109 counseling service.

109 is a suicide prevention counseling hotline that operates 24/7, 365 days a year, with no call charges for callers. However, unlike 112 and 119, it had not been designated as an emergency communication service, making it inaccessible from mobile phones whose outgoing service was restricted due to unpaid bills.

Emergency communication services are designated by the Ministry of Science and ICT to maintain social order and protect lives. Telecom companies must guarantee connection to designated numbers even when outgoing service has been suspended due to bill delinquency.

The Ministry of Science and ICT determined that 109 meets the requirements for emergency communication service designation in protecting public safety and initiated institutional improvements.

Considering that ordinance amendments typically take around three months, the government plans to conduct prior consultations with telecom companies and advance system development first, then apply the service beginning October 1st before amendments are finalized. The administrative notification period will also be shortened from the existing 20 days to 10 days to expedite the amendment process.

Mobile phone manufacturers will also add 109 to their emergency call list and cooperate to enable direct connection from the lock screen. The Ministry of Health and Welfare, as the operating authority for 109, will provide necessary support for operating the emergency communication service.

The government expects this measure to reduce gaps in crisis counseling access caused by communication service restrictions due to economic hardship.