The Central Radio Management Office under the Ministry of Science and ICT cancelled the registration of telecom operator Onesetellink for failing to comply with corrective orders to block voice phishing that impersonates public institutions.

The office said on Wednesday it ordered the cancellation under the Electric Telecommunications Business Act for Onesetellink's failure, without justifiable grounds, to carry out corrective orders on measures to prevent caller ID spoofing.

The office conducted an on-site inspection of Onesetellink on Dec. 11 last year after receiving 30 reports suspected of voice phishing that impersonated main phone numbers of a post office, card companies and delivery firms since the end of last year.

The inspection confirmed violations of obligations to prevent caller ID spoofing, and the office issued 2 corrective orders. It said Onesetellink did not comply by the March 6 deadline this year without justifiable grounds, and it confirmed the cancellation after a hearing process on June 23.

The office also ordered Onesetellink to take user protection measures to minimise harm to existing subscribers. Onesetellink must individually notify subscribers without delay of service termination.

The person who committed the acts that led to the cancellation and the company's representative cannot become an executive of a telecom operator for 3 years after the penalty. If it operates as a telecom operator while its registration is cancelled, it can face up to 3 years in prison or a fine of up to 150 million won.

Joon-ho Choi (최준호), head of the Central Radio Management Office, said, "Voice phishing impersonating public institutions and others is a serious crime that causes severe financial damage to the public," adding, "We will thoroughly manage and supervise to ensure users do not face inconvenience."