Choi Jang-hyuk, Vice Chairman of the Personal Information Protection Commission, is speaking at a briefing held on the 22nd. [Photo by Personal Information Protection Commission]
The Personal Information Protection Commission will complete its investigation into whether Chinese e-commerce companies such as AliExpress and Temu have violated personal information processing regulations by the first half of this year.
On the 22nd, Choi Jang-hyuk, Vice Chairman of the Personal Information Protection Commission, held a briefing at the Government Seoul Office and said, "There is great public interest in this investigation," adding, "We plan to complete it at least by the first half of the year."
He continued, "The companies are also cooperating sincerely with the investigation," and "They are responding well by expressing their views on the overlooked aspects due to rapid business expansion."
Prior to the briefing, Vice Chairman Choi returned from Beijing, China, where he held meetings with Chinese internet companies including AliExpress and Temu.
Vice Chairman Choi stated, "We clearly conveyed that no grace period can be given to Chinese internet companies such as AliExpress and Temu, which are conducting business in the domestic market, to comply with the Korean Personal Information Protection Act." The meeting was attended by 13 Chinese companies, including the Internet Society of China (ISC), Ali, Temu, 360 Group, and Qi'anxin Group.
He explained, "Foreign companies need sufficient time to understand domestic systems, laws, and regulations, which differ from those in their own countries, to conduct business in Korea," and pointed out that "Chinese companies rushed into the domestic market, which led to some overlooked aspects."
Vice Chairman Choi emphasized that under the domestic Personal Information Protection Act, violations can result in fines of up to 3% of the average sales revenue over the past three years, and that foreign companies conducting business in Korea are subject to the relevant laws.
He added, "While we understand the difficult circumstances of Chinese companies, we clearly conveyed that no grace period can be granted," and "All Chinese companies attending the meeting accepted this point."
Meanwhile, through his visit to China, Vice Chairman Choi, who attended the opening ceremony of the Korea-China Internet Cooperation Center (the Center), evaluated that an official communication channel between Korea and China has been established. The Center had been operating unofficially as KISA's China office since 2012, but was officially established as a representative office with the approval of the Chinese government in December last year, enhancing its status.
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