[2022 National Audit] Yoon Young-chan "YouTube, Unprecedented Political Manipulation"... Han Sang-hyuk "Not Normal Expression of Opinion"

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] During the National Assembly audit, criticism was raised against YouTube for leading a public opinion campaign opposing legislation related to network usage fees by mobilizing YouTubers.

On the 6th, at the National Assembly Science, Technology, Information and Communication Broadcasting Committee audit, Yoon Young-chan, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated, "As network usage fees became controversial, YouTube has actively stepped forward. They are conducting a large-scale opposition campaign, including advertisements in subway stations," adding, "This opposition campaign is abnormal. They are holding YouTubers hostage and inciting the public with false information. This is an unprecedented political operation."

Yoon said, "The head of YouTube Asia-Pacific mentioned that if the law passes, they might change their business model, and Twitch suddenly lowered video quality," and criticized, "It seems that global content providers (CPs) are intervening in National Assembly activities for their own benefit, pretending it is due to the burden of network usage fees."

Last month, Gautam Anand, Vice President of YouTube Asia-Pacific, urged participation in a petition opposing the network usage fee bill through the YouTube Korea blog. He stated that the network usage fee bill could negatively affect YouTubers and YouTube operations within Korea.

Yoon also mentioned Twitch’s recent lowering of video quality in Korea, citing increased service operation costs. He said, "I believe Twitch violated the Telecommunications Business Act. I request a thorough investigation," and pointed out, "Since Twitch is an Amazon subsidiary, their contract terms are probably cheap, but due to the lack of a proper revenue model, they inevitably incur losses as users increase, so they lower video quality to pass the (cost) onto users."

Yoon judged that YouTube is inciting users to express opinions on the network usage fee issue and exerting influence over public opinion. He questioned Han Sang-hyuk, Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, saying, "Young people perceive YouTubers’ messages as facts, effectively functioning as the media. Asking their creators to express opinions is a very dangerous act of media control. How will you handle the platform exerting influence over CPs, becoming media, and influencing major national issues?"

Chairman Han responded, "This is not a normal expression of opinion. It is clear that such acts have unfair aspects," but added, "I am not sure if regulation is possible."

Yoon stated, "I see this as a signal that they intend to directly exert legislative and political influence on domestic policy," and declared, "We cannot let this issue pass. I have requested witnesses for the comprehensive audit of the Korea Communications Commission. We will thoroughly investigate."