Minister of Science and ICT Nominee Addresses Confirmation Hearing
"Lowering telecom fees is an ongoing task for the Ministry of Science and ICT... Introduction of a fourth mobile carrier requires comprehensive consideration"
"Grace period for AI Basic Act administrative fines should be reviewed"
Bae Kyunghoon, the nominee for Minister of Science and ICT, stated that if appointed, he would focus on reviewing the introduction of a fourth mobile carrier. He also expressed the view that a grace period is needed for the administrative fine provisions in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Basic Act, which is set to take effect in January next year.
At the National Assembly’s Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee confirmation hearing on the 14th, Bae responded to a question from Lee Hoonki, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party of Korea, regarding the need for a fourth mobile carrier. He said, "I agree with the concerns about the structure of the telecommunications market. Lowering telecom fees is an ongoing task for the Ministry of Science and ICT." He added, "It is an issue that must be judged by comprehensively considering various market conditions and technological developments."
Regarding the AI Basic Act, Bae also called for "phased regulation" that takes into account the concerns of the industry. He noted that excessive regulation could hinder the growth of the industry, and that certain provisions, such as administrative fines, should be postponed or eased. The AI Basic Act, which will come into force in January next year, includes information disclosure obligations and penalty provisions for some high-impact AI providers, which the industry has pointed out as a burden.
Previously, the Presidential Committee on State Affairs Planning and the Ministry of Science and ICT have been reviewing a possible postponement or phased implementation of the AI Basic Act, with an internal discussion underway on a grace period of up to three years. In fact, the industry has repeatedly voiced concerns that the information disclosure obligations and penalty provisions are unclear and that there is insufficient time to prepare.
Meanwhile, the confirmation hearing on this day was delayed from the originally scheduled 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. due to conflicts between the ruling and opposition parties over the amendment to the "Broadcasting Three Laws." The People Power Party raised issues with the ruling party’s "unilateral handling of the bill," while the Democratic Party of Korea countered that the focus should be on vetting the nominee.
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