Politics · South Korea · 1 hr ago
South Gyeongsang lawmakers propose 20-minute limit for education office calls
A South Gyeongsang provincial lawmaker proposed a 20-minute limit for calls and meetings between the provincial education office's staff and residents.
The proposal is part of an amendment to rules on protecting and supporting officials who handle public inquiries.
It recommends keeping each call or meeting to 20 minutes or less, rather than making that limit mandatory.
South Korea's existing law allows officials to set time limits but does not specify how long calls or meetings should last.
Staff could warn callers after 15 minutes that the conversation is nearing its end.
They could also end a call or meeting after explaining why if repeated abuse, threats, insults or sexual harassment disrupts their work.
The provincial council will consider the amendment during its final regular session of the year.
South Gyeongsang lawmakers have proposed recommending that calls or meetings between education office staff and members of the public last no more than 20 minutes.
The amendment was introduced by provincial lawmaker Min Ho-young, with 30 lawmakers participating.
It would allow staff to warn callers when a phone consultation reaches 15 minutes.
Staff could end calls or meetings after explaining why if repeated abusive or insulting conduct substantially exceeds the recommended time and disrupts their work.
The provincial council is set to review the amendment during its 438th regular session.
- Who
- South Gyeongsang provincial lawmaker Min Ho-young led the proposal, joined by 30 lawmakers.
- What
- An amendment would recommend a 20-minute limit for each call or meeting between provincial education office staff and members of the public.
- When
- The proposal was announced on Nov. 15, 2026. The council will review it during its 438th regular session.
- Where
- South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.
- Why
- The stated aim is to protect education office staff from prolonged calls or meetings, verbal abuse and repeated complaints, and to improve public service quality.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The provincial council announced that Min Ho-young had introduced the amendment with 30 lawmakers participating.
The provincial council is set to review the amendment during its final session of the year.
- Recommended duration
- No more than 20 minutes per call or meeting
- Warning point
- Staff may notify callers when a phone consultation reaches 15 minutes
- Lead lawmaker
- Min Ho-young
- Support
- 30 lawmakers participated in introducing the amendment
- Review
- 438th regular session of the South Gyeongsang Provincial Council