Ruling Party and Government "Legislation for Dual System of Value-Added Telecom Operators... Kakao Must Prepare Compensation Measures"

Data Center Fire-Related Council
Urges Preparation of Compensation Measures

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, is delivering opening remarks at the 'Party-Government Council on the Kakao Data Center Fire' held at the National Assembly on the 19th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy reporters Hyunju Lee and Hyunji Kwon] On the 19th, the ruling party and the government held a council meeting at the National Assembly regarding the Kakao data center fire and decided to take legislative measures to allow value-added telecommunications service providers to also duplicate their data. Regarding the lithium battery storage devices, which were the cause of the fire, they plan to prepare countermeasures for fire suppression methods for the facilities and charging stations, and will also review the online platform monopoly issue in the future.

Seong Il-jong, the Policy Committee Chair of the People Power Party, said at a press meeting after the party-government consultation, "While primary telecommunications service providers are required to perform data duplication, value-added telecommunications providers like Kakao are not, so the consensus today is that they should duplicate their data." He added, "Assemblymen Park Seong-jung and Choi Seung-jae have submitted bills to support this, and before the legislation is passed, the government will inspect the sites and take administrative recommendations for places where duplication has not been implemented."

Regarding compensation issues, he emphasized that Kakao should take an active role. Chair Seong said, "We requested that Kakao quickly open a damage reception window and allocate sufficient personnel to actively address the damages experienced by the public," adding, "There is an online reporting center at the Korea Communications Commission, and we asked them to receive damage reports there and for the government to take action." He continued, "We will analyze the terms of use for each Kakao service and, if there is anything that can be institutionally improved at this opportunity, we will do so," and stated, "We strongly urge Kakao to step forward to support and provide relief for the damages."

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, attended the 'Party-Government Council on the Kakao Data Center Fire' held at the National Assembly on the 19th, greeting government officials including Lee Jong-ho, Minister of Science and ICT. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

In response to criticism that Kakao's online monopoly is so severe that it paralyzed the domestic economic and social systems after the fire accident, Chair Seong replied, "The Fair Trade Commission will closely monitor the sprawling expansion and, if possible, will focus on protecting consumers and encouraging companies to allocate resources for data protection."

Regarding the lithium battery fire, which was the direct cause of this accident, the National Fire Agency has formed a task force team to prepare countermeasures. Chair Seong said, "I requested the Fire Headquarters task force team to prepare measures for the facilities and charging stations," adding, "Especially for lithium battery power devices, since the only method when a fire occurs is to immerse them in water, I asked them to come up with countermeasures."

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