[2022 National Audit] "Citizen Group 'Open Net' Supporting Google Was Created by Google"

Assemblyman Byeon Jae-il Presents Basis in OpenNet 2020 Settlement Report
Google Donated 300 Million Won in 2013, Organization Formed

Byeon Jae-il, Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker

[Asia Economy Reporter Minyoung Cha] It has been revealed that Open Net, a civic group that has expressed opposition along with Google (YouTube) regarding the 'Network Usage Fee Act,' was established in 2013 with funding from Google. In 2020, Google Korea also donated 220 million KRW, accounting for more than half of Open Net's total donations for that year.

On the 21st, Rep. Jaeil Byun of the Democratic Party of Korea pointed out to Kim Kyunghoon, President of Google Korea, during the comprehensive audit of the Broadcasting and Communications Commission by the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Committee, saying, "Google Korea sponsored 300 million KRW at the time of establishment in 2013," and asked, "Can we then say that Google Korea created Open Net?"

According to Open Net's 2020 financial report, Google Korea was the only name listed under 'Founding Contributors (Donors).' The contribution amount was 300 million KRW. In 2020 as well, Google Korea donated 220 million KRW, which accounted for 51.4% of the total contributions that year (427.81 million KRW).

Rep. Byun questioned, "You mentioned that Google Korea donates to various non-profit organizations, but the donation amount in 2020 was 40 million KRW," and asked, "Open Net clearly states that it received 220 million KRW from Google Korea. How do you explain this?"

In response, Kim Kyunghoon, President of Google Korea, explained, "It seems that Open Net has been receiving donations from us for a long time," and added, "The donations Google Korea makes to external organizations are not subject to my approval."

Rep. Byun further urged, "Even if the department responsible for approving donations makes the decision, the highest executive is the president," and requested, "Please submit data on how much Google Korea has donated to Open Net each year since its establishment in 2013 before the audit concludes."

Rep. Eun-ah Heo of the People Power Party also joined in, saying, "Regarding Open Net, there was an instruction from YouTube headquarters related to advertisements for signature campaigns on the site," and asked, "Please explain what kind of investments have been made over the past 10 years."

Open Net has led the opposition movement against network usage fees in South Korea and has conducted signature campaigns against the Network Usage Fee Act. As of this date, the number of signatures has reached approximately 260,000. Park Kyung-shin, a professor at Korea University and a non-standing director of Open Net, has actively supported Google's position as a representative speaker.

Gautam Anand, Vice President of YouTube Asia-Pacific, shared the contents of the "K-Content Industry and Desirable Network Usage Policy Direction Forum" held at the National Assembly on the 20th of last month through the YouTube Korea blog, appealing for signatures against the bill mandating network usage fees. Google also posted advertisements encouraging participation in the signature campaign through social networking services (SNS) such as Instagram and Twitter.

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