South Korea's Broadcast Media Telecommunications Commission will ask police to investigate three businesses suspected of providing location-tracking services without registering or filing a report as operators.

The commission said on Tuesday it decided at its 35th plenary meeting to request an investigation by the National Police Agency into three businesses suspected of collecting and using location information without registering as location information operators or reporting as location-based service providers.

The commission conducted a fact-finding survey in April and May of 49 sellers of location trackers with high sales on major online shopping malls, as portable location trackers are easily distributed through online shopping malls and other channels and have been misused for crimes including stalking.

The survey found circumstances suggesting that three businesses collected and used location information and provided location-tracking services without registering as location information operators or reporting as location-based service providers under the Act on the Protection and Use of Location Information.

Under current law, operating as a location information business without registration can be punished by up to 5 years in prison or a fine of up to 50 million won. Operating as a location-based service business without filing a report can be punished by up to 3 years in prison or a fine of up to 30 million won.

The commission plans to continue checking services that use location information for compliance with relevant laws and regulations, including whether operators are registered or have filed reports and whether they have implemented location information protection measures.

Chair Kim Jong-cheol said, "We will strengthen management and supervision so that location information is not leaked or misused by unregistered and unreported operators and so that a safe environment for use can be created." He added, "If violations of the law are found, we will respond strictly, including requesting investigations by investigative agencies."