December 27, 2005
Cell phones to S. Koreans: 'You've been indicted'
South Koreans may look at their mobile phones with some trepidation in the new year because prosecutors will start telling people they have been indicted via text messages, writes CNN.
"Most people in South Korea have mobile phones and since the notices don't reach them immediately by regular mail, this is a more definite way for the individuals to know they have received a legal notice," said Lee Young-pyo, an administrative official. "People will receive a text message of a legal notice only after they apply for the service," he added.
Prosecutors expect to save about 160 million won ($158,000) a year by shifting to the service and reducing the number of legal notices it sends through the mail. Other notices that will be sent by text messages include information on fines and penalties.
The service starts on Tuesday but will be fully implemented in 2006.
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