S. Korean military officers lose operational cellphones to economic downswing

SEOUL, Jan. 6 (Yonhap) -- South Korea has retrieved thousands of cellular phones
that had been supplied to its military commanders for operational purposes amid
an economic downturn slamming the country, a defense official said Tuesday.
Over 4,500 phones were recently returned to the Ministry of National Defense,
while about 500 of the highest-ranking commanders, including generals, and
emergency personnel were allowed to retain their equipment, the official said.
"The budget has been entirely slashed, and it took effect starting this year,"
the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. "We had to come up with a
measure to meet the call for thriftiness."
As economic woes deepen across the world following a housing slump in the United
States, South Korea has been one of the hardest hit, and President Lee Myung-bak
has stressed the need for cost-cutting measures across the government since he
took office early last year.
The defense ministry estimates that over 300 million won (US$226,000) would be
needed to cover the expenses related to operational cellphones, including service
charges, but less than half the amount was granted in the 2007 budget, shrinking
to zero last year.
Those who had their cellphones taken away have to rely on their personal phones,
the official added. South Korea boasts one of the highest subscription rates to
mobile phone service in the world.
samkim@yna.co.kr
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