[Column] Expectations the IT Industry Places on Ahn Cheol-soo

Ahn Cheol-soo, the head of the transition committee, is arriving for his first day of work at the transition committee office set up at the Financial Supervisory Service Training Institute in Tongui-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 15th. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] Ahead of major elections like the presidential election, the political sphere, especially the ruling party, habitually looks for scapegoats to cover up policy failures. During sensitive times, diverting attention outside the political sphere is one of the most effective methods.

Last year, giant IT and platform companies such as Kakao, Naver, and Coupang became targets. At the National Assembly audit, Kim Beom-su, Chairman of Kakao's Board, Lee Hae-jin, Chief Global Investment Officer of Naver, Park Dae-jun, CEO of Coupang, and Kim Beom-jun, CEO of Woowa Brothers, among other heads and representatives of platform companies, were successively summoned to face lawmakers' criticism. There was even talk that the government and ruling party were trying to discipline the industry ahead of the presidential election.

The government's attitude further confused the industry. While advocating for the development of the platform economy, it simultaneously introduced regulatory bills that contradicted this stance. This shows how desperate the government and ruling party were to seize issues ahead of the election.

Regulation on the abuse of monopolistic positions by platform companies is necessary. If platform monopolies become entrenched, there is no need to improve services, and prices can be raised arbitrarily, passing all burdens onto consumers.

The role of politics is to understand the characteristics of platforms and provide support and mediation. However, the government and ruling party, without properly grasping the market, focused solely on dividing the public and corporations.

Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, has begun his work as chairman of the presidential transition committee. The IT industry, his home turf, is showing great expectations. He is the one who created the ‘AhnLab’ venture success story through the V3 antivirus software. He understands the industry's difficulties better than anyone.

In response to these expectations, Chairman Ahn announced plans to prioritize science and technology in government reorganization. He also stated that he would establish a Chief Secretary for Science and Technology at the Blue House to implement consistent science and technology policies. During his campaign, he emphasized that science, technology, and ICT must take responsibility for future growth engines leading the Fourth Industrial Revolution and sustainability issues such as carbon neutrality.

To catch both the development of the IT industry and consumer protection, consistent regulation and policies are necessary. As a first-generation venture entrepreneur, Chairman Ahn is expected to successfully carry out this mission as the helmsman of IT policy.

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