Due to public demand?

Korea’s two largest mobile carriers, SK Telecom and KTF, said yesterday they will launch a service that enables users to make donations to local politicians via wireless Internet. In partnership with political parties and the National Election Commission, the mobile phone companies aim to deliver “clean” monetary support for lawmakers. Users can log onto wireless Internet services ― Nate for SK Telecom and MagicN for KTF ― and select the “clean political patronage” option or input special numbers. The donations can only be made by customers who have registered their credit card number with the mobile carriers or users of automatic bank account withdrawal services. Users will also be able to research lawmakers through the service, by entering which party, region and standing committees they belong to. Donors are entitled to a tax deduction on their year-end tax assessment if payments exceed 100,000 won.