Last year the entire world staggered due to the global financial crisis, but still the New Year has dawned. In 2009, the second year of the Lee Myung-bak administration, many regulations in different fields will be eased. Also, new voice services will be added to the WiBro protocol allowing people to communicate better through wireless internet. In addition, in the broadcasting sector, the era of the socalled Media Big Bang will begin due to the relaxed standards for large enterprise entry into the broadcasting business and the elimination of regulations regarding cable company market share.
Broadcasting & Communications
- Opening of WiBro Voice Service
A voice service function will be included in WiBro to enable voice communication using the wireless internet service. The number 010 will be designated for it. Experts expect that people using WiBro with voice services will be able to use wireless internet, SMS, MMS, and voice messaging at a cost cheaper than current mobile phones.
- Abolition of the WIPI-compatible Standard
From this April, mobile phone subscribers will be able to buy and use handsets such as smartphones loaded with a general-purpose mobile OS. The government has gotten rid of the Wireless Internet Platform for Interoperability, or WIPI, standard to comply with world telecommunication market trends which are turning from a mobile platform to a general-purpose mobile OS. If mobile phone operators can choose their technology freely, users will be happier with a broader range of choices for handsets.
- Service Digital Network Law to Reinforce Privacy Protection
From now on, operators of web sites are required to allow Internet users a way to join without ID numbers. And the law promoting the use of digital service networks and privacy protection will be enforced. The purpose of that law is to intensify the punishment of privacy violations. In addition, a surcharge of less than one one-hundredths of the sales will be charged to the people who collect, use, or offer private information to others without consent.
Science and Education
- Operation of Unified Security Management of IAEA
In January, the unified security management of the International Atomic Energy Agency is coming to Korean nuclear energy establishments such as nuclear energy power plants, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, and Korea Nuclear Fuel. With this application, Korea will have an opportunity to prove its nuclear clarity. And domestically, the number of investigative cases that IAEA has concerning domestic nuclear establishment is expected to decrease from 104 to 36 per year.
- Elimination of Employment Restriction for Foreigners
From the first of January, people can hire foreigners in every public office field except national security, peace preservation, and secrecy.
- Energy Life Support for Middle Class
The acquisition tax and registration tax for less than 1,000 cc displacement small passenger vans and trucks is wholly eliminated as of January first.
- Support of Local Tax to Foster Eco-friendly Automobile Industry
To foster an eco-friendly automobile industry and save energy, the acquisition and registration taxes for hybrid cars will be reduced. The acquisition tax will be reduced by 400,000 won and the registration tax will be reduced by 1,000,000 won. When the price of a car is less than 20 million won, all tax will be exempted. It will be effective July first according to local tax laws.
- Support for Industrial Complexes to Revitalize Economy
In the case of rebuilding or largely repairing industrial buildings in industry complexes, the acquisition tax and the registration tax will be exempted. It will be operated from January first according to the rules of local tax reduction.
Industry
- Increase in Software Business Earnings Allowances
From April first, the lowest amount of money for software business participation in public information-oriented business will increase. Now, businesses with more than 800 billion won sales are able to participate in business with more than 2 billion won, and businesses with less than 800 billion won in sales are able to participate in business with 1 billion won. However, from April, the former will be changed to 4 billion won business and the latter will be changed to 2 billion won business. In addition, the report process of software businesses will be simplified. So, companies can just prepare business reports once, not every year. When they make some changes, they can then report again.
- First Appearance of Hybrid Cars
In July of 2009, the first hybrid cars will come out, which use both a traditional combustion engine and an electric motor together. Individual consumption tax of the hybrid passenger car will be exempted. The tax exempt limit for one hybrid passenger car will be 1 million won, or, if the educational tax is included, 1.3 million won. In addition, the acquisition tax and registration tax will also be exempted.
Culture Content
- Broadcast Advertising Agency Reforms
From January first, the requirements for broadcast advertising agents will be eased. And the existing agency registration system will be changed into a contract system. As for the requisite, the required amount of advertisement related sales changed from over 80% to 10% of whole sales. This is a huge alleviation.
Environment
From 2009, environmental safety management standards will be applied to all child-oriented areas such as schools and playgrounds, and also kids' goods like toys. So, if there is any harm done, the government will be able to issue an improvement order, observance order or recall recommendation.
- Management system for Managing Danger
After evaluating children's goods such as toys and school supplies, if there is some concern about health damage, a recall will be conducted. Furthermore, for new nurseries, kindergartens, schools, and playgrounds after March twenty- first, there will be some investigations with environmental safety management standards. And if there are some harmful materials, the agency will issue an improvement or observance order.
- Soil Contamination Test Changes
From April, the test period of specific soil contamination management facilities such as gas stations will be adjusted from 3 years to 5 years for the first 15 years. After 15 years, the period will become every 3 years. Leakage check periods following the installation of a store have also been changed from 10 years to 20 years from installation.
