IT Industry Appeals to National Assembly Judiciary Committee for Passage of 'Google Gapjil Prevention Act'

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Buaeri] The IT industry has appealed for the passage of the Google Gapjil Prevention Act (Amendment to the Telecommunications Business Act) in the National Assembly.

The Korea Internet Corporations Association, Venture Business Association, Korea Startup Forum, and Korea Women Venture Association announced on the 19th that they delivered a joint letter to ruling and opposition lawmakers of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee.

In the letter, these organizations expressed concern that if Google's mandatory in-app payment policy is fully implemented from October, the domestic content ecosystem will be devastated.

They also argued that there is almost no possibility of trade friction, citing recent similar bills introduced in both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate.

These organizations also rebutted the recent stance of the Fair Trade Commission, which stated that the Korea Communications Commission's regulation of unfair practices in app markets constitutes "overlapping regulation." They explained, "The ICT industry is a special area with very rapid market changes," and "Since the current Telecommunications Business Act includes preventive provisions, overlapping regulation should not be a problem."

Furthermore, they urged, "The domestic content industry is facing ecosystem destruction," and called on the National Assembly to take action so that young creators can express creative ideas and consumers can enjoy them.

Meanwhile, the Google Gapjil Prevention Act has passed the full meeting of the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Committee and is awaiting review by the Legislation and Judiciary Committee and the plenary session.

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