Han Junho "Government Public Apps Ignored by Domestic App Markets... Google Holds 98% Monopoly"

"Government Must Also Abandon the Perception That App Markets Are Only Google and Apple"

Han Junho, Member of the Democratic Party of Korea

[Asia Economy Reporter Jin-gyu Lee] There are concerns that even public applications operated by the government and local governments are neglecting domestic app markets.

On the 6th, according to a comprehensive survey conducted by Assemblyman Han Junho of the Democratic Party, a member of the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Communications Committee, of approximately 771 apps operated by central government ministries, public institutions, and local governments, 757 apps, or 98%, were registered on Google Play. In contrast, only 196 apps, or 25%, were registered on the domestic app market, One Store.

Among the agencies under the Science, Technology, Information and Communications Committee, only two (the Korea Communications Commission and the National Information Society Agency) had apps registered on the domestic app market. Apps operated by the National Science and Technology Information Center, KBS News, and EBS Lectures were not registered on the domestic app market.

Additionally, essential public apps such as the Self-Quarantine Safety Protection App, the National Petition Service, 112 Emergency Report, Traffic Civil Complaints 24, Flood Alert, Workplace Sexual Harassment Self-Diagnosis, Military Manpower Administration App, LH Subscription Center, KORAIL Talk, National Assembly Proceedings Broadcast, National Tax Service, and Childcare Service are only registered on Google Play.

Assemblyman Han stated, "Due to the preemptive content absorption by global app market operators like Google, the domestic content industry itself is ultimately being threatened," and emphasized, "Strong government measures are needed along with efforts to bring change to the ecosystem centered on global platforms."

He added, "The government must abandon the perception that app markets are only Google and Apple," stressing, "Through diversification of app market operators, domestic small and startup content providers can secure stable distribution channels, and the government should actively participate to maximize user welfare and convenience."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.