[Edaily Reporter Yun Junghoon ] With pre-orders forSamsungElectronics(005930)’s next-generation foldable phones, the “Galaxy Z8 Series,” set to begin, consumers are advised to be wary of exaggerated advertising—such as excessive subsidies and giveaway offers—from some mobile phone retailers.

The Korea Communications Commission announced on the 27th that it has issued a consumer advisory ahead of the pre-orders (July 28–August 3) for the “Galaxy Z8 Series,” which is set to officially launch on August 7, to prevent consumers from falling victim to illegal or exaggerated advertising by some authorized dealers and retailers.

Recently, some retailers have been encouraging pre-orders through pre-order notification services and similar channels by promising high subsidies and expensive giveaways. However, there have been frequent cases where retailers fail to fulfill their promises—such as not providing the promised subsidies at the time of actual activation or repeatedly delaying the delivery of giveaways.

Accordingly, the Korea Communications Commission and the KoreaInformation&Communication Association (KAIT) have released a checklist of items that must be verified when making a pre-order and urged users to conduct a thorough review.

First, users must clearly verify the identity of the seller. KAIT has been implementing a registration system for distribution professionals since last May. When visiting a store, users should check the “Prior Approval Form” and the “Distribution Professional ID Card” to determine liability in the event of future issues.

It is also essential to verify that the promised subsidies and promotional gifts are properly specified in the contract. This is because even if a retailer makes a verbal promise, it is difficult to receive legal protection unless it is explicitly stated in the contract. Starting this September, following system overhauls by the three major mobile carriers, mobile service contracts will be distributed with the information of the activating retailer clearly stated. (SKTelecom has already implemented this.)

If you experience issues related to incomplete sales—such as failure to pay subsidies or failure to provide a contract—during the pre-order or activation process, you can immediately file a report through the “User Participation Reporting System” website operated by the Korea Consumer Protection Association (KCUP).

Kim Jong-cheol, Chairman of the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, stated, “Rather than rushing into a contract based solely on the subsidy information provided by retailers during the pre-order period, consumers should carefully review the terms specified in the actual contract.” He added, “If you suspect you have been harmed by exaggerated or false advertising, please report it immediately through the User Participation Reporting System.”