[Exclusive] ruling party to hold 'Onple Act' debate on the 5th... Broadcasting Commission Chair to attend

Will the Jurisdiction Dispute Between the Korea Communications Commission and the Fair Trade Commission Over the 'Online Platform Act' Be Resolved?
Ruling Party's Science and ICT Committee Co-Hosts... Korea Communications Commission Chairman Han Sang-hyuk Also Attends

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] The Democratic Party will hold a forum on the 5th at the Federation of Korean Industries building regarding the 'Online Platform User Protection Act,' which has escalated into a conflict between ministries. The forum is expected to ignite a debate between the Korea Communications Commission (KCC), which has opposed the Fair Trade Commission's (FTC) 'Online Platform Fairness Act,' and the FTC, which supported the legislation. KCC Chairman Han Sang-hyuk will also attend the forum.

On the 3rd, Rep. Jeon Hye-sook of the Democratic Party (member of the Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee) said in a phone interview with Asia Economy, "We are preparing to hold a forum related to the Online Platform User Protection Act, which we have jointly proposed," adding, "We hope it will be an opportunity for experts, consumers, and the industry to build consensus and discuss effective countermeasures related to the platform law."

The forum is co-hosted by all ruling party members of the Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee, including Rep. Lee Won-wook (chairman of the committee), Rep. Cho Seung-rae (ruling party floor leader of the committee), and fellow party members Byun Jae-il, Cho Jung-sik, Jeon Hye-sook, Kim Sang-hee, Woo Sang-ho, Hong Ik-pyo, Yoon Young-chan, Lee Yong-bin, Han Jun-ho, Jung Pil-mo, and Yang Jung-sook. A committee official stated, "There is a strong consensus among lawmakers that not only the FTC's proposal but also the internal perspectives of the committee should be reflected in the handling of the Online Platform Act, so many ruling party lawmakers are expected to attend."

Currently, bills related to online platforms include the FTC's proposal (Online Platform Fairness Act), Rep. Kim Byung-wook's Democratic Party bill (Online Platform Act), and Rep. Jeon Hye-sook's bill (Online Platform User Protection Act).

Rep. Lee Won-wook told this outlet, "I expect various discussions during the February extraordinary session," adding, "I believe it is reasonable for the related ministry (KCC) to first oversee the platform law, and when issues arise that cannot be regulated, the FTC should handle them." Rep. Cho Seung-rae said in a phone interview, "I think the FTC's proposal and the committee's concerns can coexist," adding, "The FTC understands online platforms from a fair trade perspective, but it is not limited to that. It is an issue that needs to be viewed comprehensively from multiple perspectives."

The conflict between the FTC and the KCC began last month when the FTC pushed forward the 'Online Platform Fairness Act' as a government bill. The FTC's bill mandates platform operators to draft contracts with tenant businesses and includes provisions to sanction economic coercion, shifting losses, interference in management activities, and retaliatory measures after the fact.

The KCC has raised objections, citing concerns about overlapping regulations with the Telecommunications Business Act. The KCC's proposed Online Platform User Protection Act is similar in broad terms to the FTC's bill but differs in that it imposes regulations on large-scale platform operators and includes provisions related to user protection.

Meanwhile, the scope of the Online Platform Act is expected to cover open markets like Coupang and Gmarket, as well as delivery services like Baedal Minjok (food delivery), Yanolja (accommodation), Kakao Taxi (ride-hailing), and portals providing 'search advertising services' such as Naver, Kakao, and Google. The forum on the 5th will include participants from the Internet Enterprise Association, law firms, and consumer groups representing these companies. The presentation will be delivered by Kim Hyun-soo, head of the Telecommunications and Radio Research Division at the Korea Information Society Development Institute (KISDI). The validity of Rep. Jeon Hye-sook's bill and its distinctions from the FTC's proposal are expected to be key topics.