[2020 National Audit] Opposition Lawmakers Urge "Summoning Naver CEO as Witness"

Minister Choi Ki-young of the Ministry of Science and ICT appeared at the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee on the 7th for a national audit of the Ministry of Science and ICT, taking the oath as a witness. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jin-gyu Lee] Opposition lawmakers once again urged the adoption of Lee Hae-jin, Naver's Global Investment Officer (GIO), as a witness at the National Assembly Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Communications Committee's audit held on the 7th.

Park Sung-joong, a member of the ruling People Power Party and the committee's secretary, said at the audit, "Although we did not reach an agreement on adopting the heads of the two major portals as witnesses, which was the biggest issue on the first day of the audit, I hope a good agreement will be reached." He added, "Since Naver Shopping was fined by the Fair Trade Commission due to algorithm restructuring the day before, the suspicions raised by the opposition and the media have been proven true."

Park also stated, "In 2017 and 2018, the GIO said he would place the news editing function externally for public verification and would undergo external verification by the News Editing Advisory Committee, but none of these were realized," adding, "Portal abuse has become a harmful weapon to the public, and the people have become victims."

He continued, "We must question and correct portal abuse such as search term manipulation," and added, "This audit aims to have policy discussions about portals that have become Big Brother with superior status."

Kim Young-sik, a member of the People Power Party, also said, "Issues with Naver's portal algorithm are emerging," and urged the adoption of the GIO as a witness, stating, "Since the problem has surfaced, it is necessary to establish guidelines on this occasion."

Heo Eun-ah, also from the People Power Party, pointed out, "You should conduct a health check on your own body, not someone else's," and questioned, "With the issue of Naver's search algorithm emerging, it is doubtful whether verification can be done without the person involved being present." She criticized, "The claim that search algorithm manipulation is impossible is a blatant lie."

Opposition lawmakers, including Park, also urged the heads of Naver and Kakao to appear as witnesses at the audit the day before. They issued a statement saying, "Portal heads who do not keep their promises made at the audit must come to the audit and explain directly." However, as no agreement was reached between the ruling and opposition parties, the portal heads' attendance at the audit was ultimately canceled.

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