Choi Min-hee “Where did the missing 4,000 won from the movie go?” SKT “I’ll find out”[2024 국감]

Purchase discount benefits from telecommunication companies… Actual receipt and price difference
SKT Vice President: “I can’t tell you about the details of the contract with our affiliates.”
Choi Min-hee “The film industry, telecommunication companies, etc. should gather together and look into this issue.”

In the government audit on the 25th, problems with the settlement structure of movie admission discounts received through telecommunication company membership benefits were pointed out.

At the National Assembly audit held at the Science, Technology, Information, Broadcasting and Communications Committee of the National Assembly on this day, Chairman Choi Min-hee interrogated Lim Bong-ho, Vice President and Head of Customer Business at SK Telecom, who appeared as a witness.

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Before asking questions in earnest, Chairman Choi explained the structure of movie admission fee settlement as follows.

If the ticket price is 15,000 won, 3% (450 won) of the film development fund and 10% (1,455 won) of value-added tax are deducted. Then, from the remaining 13,095 won, the movie theater deducts half (6,547 won) and the investment, distribution, and production company deducts half (6,547 won).

Chairman Choi said, “The movie admission fee is originally 15,000 won, but the per-person price is much lower than this due to discounts from telecommunication companies and credit card companies.”

Next, a comparison was made between the payment window where SK Telecom subscribers received discounts on movie prices through the T membership application and the receipt issued by the movie theater (CGV).

A customer who paid 8,500 won for a discounted ticket and watched the movie had 7,000 won stamped on his receipt, and a customer who watched a movie for 11,000 won had 7,000 won stamped on his receipt. 1,500 won and 4,000 won respectively were ‘evaporated’. Chairman Choi continued to question the 1,500 won and 4,000 won whose whereabouts were unknown.

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However, Vice President Lim explained, “I learned about the 7,000 won stamped on the receipt during this National Assembly inspection.”

He added, “Because we purchase in large quantities and provide various benefits to customers, the benefits are different for each customer. However, this is not a structure in which SKT makes a profit.”

Chairman Choi continued to ask about the details of the contract between SK Telecom and CGV, but Vice President Lim maintained his position, saying, “It is difficult to talk about the details of the affiliate contract.” He repeatedly said, “We are providing various benefits by purchasing tickets without the burden of inventory.”

Chairman Choi raised his voice, saying, “I asked for data, but they said the same thing and did not submit the data,” and added, “This unreasonable structure continues even now.”

When he asked, “The receipt should show 11,000 won, but it actually shows 7,000 won, so only 3,500 won goes to the investment, distribution, and production company. How are we going to make the movie?” and “Will you check where (the missing movie money) went?” Vice President Lim replied, “I will check.”

Chairman Choi said, “CGV, the film industry, and telecommunication companies should all come together to look into the cause of this problem.” He asked again, “Will you come here?” Vice President Lim said, “Yes.”

Reporter Kim Bo-kyung bkly477@asiae.co.kr

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