Proposal to protect disabled telecom users earns top prize in Ulsan regulation contest

A proposal to amend laws protecting people with developmental disabilities on basic welfare benefits from harm caused by mobile phone contracts they do not fully understand has won top honors in Ulsan's regulation reform idea competition.

The winning proposal calls for legislation requiring that, when such individuals sign mobile service contracts, a specialized support agency explain the terms and an automated notification system alert relevant parties — measures aimed at preventing unfair harm stemming from a lack of understanding of contract details.

The competition, open to the general public, drew 228 submissions during its run from April 6 to May 22. After two rounds of screening, including an eligibility review, nine ideas were selected: one top prize, two excellence awards and six encouragement awards.

The two excellence awards went to a proposal to establish a legal basis requiring the local government where an unregistered welfare recipient dies to handle the entire process — from receiving the body to interment — and a proposal to build a fast-track administrative system for factories in industrial complexes seeking to install rooftop solar panels, letting operators check feasibility and complex permit requirements in advance through a joint review by relevant departments.

Ulsan plans to work with the relevant departments to implement winning ideas that fall within local regulations, and to submit those requiring national law changes to the central government. An awards ceremony will be held Thursday at 3:30 p.m. on the seventh floor of City Hall's main building, in the vice mayor for administration's office.