[Digital Today reporter Jin-ho Lee (이진호)] South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT held an award ceremony on April 13 for the first round of 2026 active administration best cases.
The ministry selected 7 cases from active administration carried out in last year's fourth quarter. It evaluated public impact as well as initiative, creativity and expertise. It chose 2 top cases, 2 excellent cases and 3 commendation cases.
One top case, "Building a rapid crime prevention and illegal phone number suspension blocking system," prevented harm to the public by quickly blocking phone numbers used for crimes such as voice phishing and illegal loan advertising. Previously, when issuing an order to suspend the use of an illegal phone number, it was difficult to confirm the carrier for the number in real time, causing delays in processing.
Another top case was "Achieving a record as the world's second to resume international mail service to the United States." The case involved swiftly resuming international mail service to the United States, which had been suspended due to changes in U.S. tariff policy that took effect in August 2025, to minimize inconvenience for the public and support export sales channels for very small and medium-sized firms. Korea Post responded proactively by working with a designated tariff prepayment company starting the day after it was named, including developing an IT system in a short period.
Other excellent cases selected were: an overhaul of the research institute evaluation system completed together with the field; and an improvement of the management system for text-message service providers to eradicate illegal spam. Commendation cases selected were: ensuring mail carrier safety by easing delivery standards for ordinary mail; supporting small merchants affected by fire damage to national information resources; and securing ready-mixed concrete quality and public safety with 5G-based smart factories.
Bae Kyung-hoon (배경훈), deputy prime minister and minister of science and ICT, said, "We will continue to expand field-oriented active administration to create policy results that the public can feel."