**SKT to Delete Femtocells if Unused for Three Months, While KT Offers 10-Year Valid Certification**
During a public hearing held by the National Assembly’s Science, ICT, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee, ruling party lawmakers urged Kim Young-sup, CEO of KT, to resign over the unauthorized small payment incident. Kim acknowledged the mismanagement of femtocells and apologized for causing anxiety nationwide.
The hearing, addressing a major hacking incident involving telecommunications companies and Lotte Card, was attended by Kim and Cho Jwa-jin, CEO of Lotte Card, among others. Kim Byung-joo, Chairman of MBK Partners, Lotte Card’s largest shareholder, did not attend, but MBK Vice-Chairman Yoon Jong-ha appeared instead.
Democratic Party lawmakers criticized Kim, with Hwang Jung-a saying, “You should take responsibility and step down,” and Han Min-soo calling KT’s failure in basic security and control “shameful.”
Kim replied, “Now is not the right time to discuss this,” emphasizing that resolving the situation is his priority. His term as CEO lasts until the shareholders’ meeting in March next year.
Concerns over femtocells’ management were also raised. SK Telecom deletes unused femtocells from its network after three months, while KT’s certification is valid for ten years, which Kim acknowledged as a managerial shortcoming.
In addition, Lee Hye-min, Chairperson of the Innovative Country Party, called for KT to support device changes following IMEI leakage, warning of potential secondary damages such as penalty fees. Lee criticized KT’s lax security, pointing out unresolved issues since the introduction of femtocell equipment in 2014, and stressed the need for accountability in policy changes and compensation procedures.