National Assembly Science and ICT Committee Questions Line Yahoo Incident
Opposition Lawmaker Lee Hae-min Questions Ministers
"Criticizing Government for Staying Out While Promoting Naver"
Lee Jong-ho, Minister of Science and ICT, stated regarding the so-called 'Line Yahoo' incident, "I am absolutely opposed to any damage to Naver's interests."
Minister Lee Jong-ho of the Ministry of Science and ICT is giving a briefing on current issues at the full meeting of the Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee held at the National Assembly on the 25th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@
On the 25th, Minister Lee attended the plenary meeting of the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee and responded to a question from Assemblyman Lee Hae-min of the Innovation Party for Korea, saying, "If there is any unfair discrimination or measures in the interests between Naver and international companies, the government is willing to actively intervene."
Assemblyman Lee criticized, "Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications intervened in this issue first and joined hands with SoftBank," adding, "Our government is putting Naver forward but staying behind the scenes."
Naver is currently required to submit a report containing countermeasures, including 're-examining capital relations with Naver,' to Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications by the 1st of next month in relation to the Line Yahoo personal information leakage incident.
Assemblyman Lee, quoting statements from Naver employees, said, "The Line Yahoo sale issue is a fight on a tilted playing field. Due to the government's indifference and neglect, about 2,500 Korean citizens are trembling with employment insecurity. They are feeling frustrated that the services and technologies they painstakingly developed might be taken away entirely."
In response, Minister Lee conveyed, "While Naver employees said they are 'fighting on a tilted playing field,' Naver's CEO stated, 'This is not a matter of whether to comply with administrative guidance or not, but a decision based on mid- to long-term business strategy.'"
Kang Do-hyun, 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT, also replied, "I think it is important to create an environment where Naver can make autonomous judgments," adding, "We will ensure that Naver can decide as autonomously as possible."
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