[2022 National Audit] Sanghyuk Han: "Corrective Orders and Penalties Imposed on Google and Apple for Reluctant Data Submission"

Jo Seung-rae "Network Usage Fee Disputes Between Businesses Should Not Be Passed on to Users"

Hansanghyuk, Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, is answering questions from lawmakers at the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee's audit held on the 6th in Yeouido, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Su-yeon] Han Sang-hyuk, Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, announced plans to send an official letter to Google and Apple, who have been passive in submitting fact-finding materials regarding the In-App Payment Mandatory Prohibition Act, stating that corrective orders and enforcement penalties may be imposed.

On the 6th, during the National Assembly Science, Technology, Information and Communications Broadcasting Committee’s audit, Han responded to a question from Cho Seung-rae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, about the status of fact-finding investigations on Google and Apple following the passage of the In-App Payment Mandatory Prohibition Act.

Chairman Han stated, "Some materials have been submitted, but important documents have not yet been provided."

The Korea Communications Commission has been conducting fact-finding investigations on app market operators since August. If operators fail to comply with corrective orders, the Commission can impose enforcement penalties.

Representative Cho said, "Not only the in-app payment issue but also the network usage fee problem is facing a full-scale offensive from global big tech companies," adding, "It is necessary to respond actively to this. I urge the Korea Communications Commission to thoroughly exercise the legal authority granted to it."

Additionally, regarding the network usage fees, Representative Cho emphasized, "Big tech companies are threatening by shifting the fee disputes between operators onto users. This appears to be a political struggle," and stressed, "There may be pros and cons regarding the network usage fees. However, the problem is that whether it is ISPs or CPs, operators are holding users hostage and engaging in a kind of political struggle, which is unacceptable."

Recently, Google YouTube has been encouraging participation in petitions opposing legislation on network usage fees, claiming it disadvantages creators. Twitch lowered video quality citing increased costs of operating services in Korea.

Representative Cho added, "At the very least, it is unacceptable for disputes over fees between operators to result in harm being passed on to users," and proposed, "I suggest that future discussions be held from this perspective."