‘3N’ Supports Native App Market

Win-Win Agreement for Revitalizing Domestic App Markets Including Korea's Top 3 Game Companies
Joining Forces for Fair Competition and Mutual Growth... "A Stepping Stone for Expanding Store Entries"

[Asia Economy Reporter Eunmo Koo] The government and leading domestic mobile content companies are joining forces to support the entry of domestic applications (apps) into Korean app markets, aiming to create a fair competition and mutual growth environment within the mobile app ecosystem. This is expected to lay the groundwork for expanding the presence of the ‘3N’ game companies?Nexon, Netmarble, and NCSoft?currently concentrated in foreign app markets like Google and Apple, into domestic app markets.

On the morning of the 13th, the Ministry of Science and ICT held a meeting in Yeouido, Seoul, to discuss development plans for the domestic mobile app ecosystem and signed a ‘Win-Win Agreement for Revitalizing Domestic App Markets.’ The agreement involved domestic app markets such as One Store and Galaxy Store, along with eight leading domestic mobile content companies (Nexon, Netmarble, NCSoft, Wavve, TVING, Melon, Genie Music, and Flo).

The participating companies agreed on ▲ fostering fair competition and mutual growth within the domestic mobile app ecosystem ▲ preventing harm to domestic users and enhancing their rights ▲ ensuring content entry without unfair discrimination against domestic content companies ▲ supporting smooth content entry by domestic app market operators. They also agreed to hold regular meetings twice a year and gradually expand the scope of participants.

In particular, they committed to supporting the smooth entry of content by domestic app market operators. Currently, among the 53 mobile games released by the 3N companies, only six are listed on One Store, but this agreement is expected to increase the number of games entering the platform in the future.

At the meeting, the content industry expressed the need for cooperation and support to create a fair competitive environment with global operators and requested attention to establishing conditions for fair revenue sharing for creators. Domestic app markets pledged to actively work toward creating an environment for fair competition and mutual growth within the domestic mobile app ecosystem and asked for the support and interest of the content industry and users.

Minister Hyesook Lim of the Ministry of Science and ICT stated, "Securing competitiveness for domestic app markets and content companies allows users, including our citizens, to enjoy excellent domestic content represented by the Korean Wave in diverse and affordable ways. This also strengthens the protection of rights for creators and developers and lays the foundation for the growth of related content industries." She added, "Especially since most content industry workers are in their 20s and 30s, I hope young creators and developers receive rewards commensurate with their abilities and efforts and can pursue even greater dreams."

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