[2020 National Audit] Science and ICT Committee's 'Google Gapjil Prevention Act' Processing Fails

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Buaeri] The National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee continued the state audit until midnight, but the passage of the amendment to the Telecommunications Business Act, known as the 'Google Gapjil Prevention Act,' was ultimately blocked.

Originally, the ruling and opposition parties agreed to merge six amendments to the Telecommunications Business Act, which included provisions to prevent Google's forced in-app payments, and to pass the committee's alternative on the 23rd. However, on the final day of the audit, members of the People Power Party requested a delay in the passage, citing concerns over rushed legislation.

Nonetheless, both parties agreed to hold a public hearing on the bill on the 4th of next month.

Park Seong-jung, the opposition party's secretary from the People Power Party, said, "The principle regarding in-app payments is the same for both parties," but added, "It is not too late to conduct further research and fully listen to the affected areas and damage amounts. It is a bit difficult to do it this time."

He continued, "The ruling party did not make any concessions or agreements regarding the adoption of witnesses," and expressed frustration, saying, "If it is about coexistence, we should proceed together, but I am disappointed with the ruling party for not keeping their promises on this."

Cho Seung-rae, the ruling party's secretary from the Democratic Party of Korea, said, "Basically, I think it is possible to process the organized bill, but the opposition party asked for more time, so a complete agreement was not reached," expressing regret that "the state audit agreement was not implemented."

Lee Won-wook, chairman of the Science and Technology Committee, also said, "It is regrettable that at the final stage, the ruling and opposition parties are faltering, failing to pass the bill, and not keeping their promises to the public."

Google announced that all payments made when using apps distributed through Google Play must use its own system (in-app payments), and that it will take a 30% commission. This policy, which had previously been applied to game apps, expanded to content areas such as music, video, and webtoons, sparking controversy over abuse of power.