Average spam texts received by users down 74% in first half of the year amid gov't crackdown

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The average number of spam text messages received by mobile users in South Korea fell significantly in the first half of 2025 from a year earlier, data showed Friday, as part of the government's broader efforts to curb illegal messaging activities.

According to the data compiled by the Korea Media and Communications Commission, South Koreans received an average of three spam messages per month during the January-June period, sharply down from 11 in the same period of 2024.

The study, carried out jointly with the Korea Internet & Security Agency, was based on mobile messages and calls received by 3,000 mobile phone users aged 12 to 69.

The total number of spam messages and calls reported or detected came to 319.3 million, down 85 percent over the period, the report added.

In November last year, the government unveiled a comprehensive plan to root out spam messages, including imposing fines on mobile carriers that fail to prevent illegal messaging activities.