To Eliminate Discrimination against Local Firms
To ensure fair competition between South Korean IT companies and global giants like Google and Facebook, concepts such as extraterritorial application need to be stipulated in the Telecommunications Business Act, an expert pointed out at a forum on Dec. 18.
“Once the application of domestic laws to foreign companies and their extraterritorial deeds is set out in the relevant law, exhausting debates can be prevented and law enforcement can become more effective,” said Gwak Jung-ho, a business administration professor of Hoseo University.
Gwak noted that temporary service suspension would be necessary for effective law and regulation enforcement. “Damage to users is ongoing in the form of illegal content distribution, yet some foreign companies are refusing to cooperate with local regulatory agencies,” he said, adding that temporary service suspension can be a countermeasure if implemented well with its scope and preconditions thoroughly examined.
At the forum, panelists also pointed out the need to prepare survey-based guidelines to eliminate discrimination regarding network fees. “Available network fee-related data are finite, which means it is not that easy to determine the presence or absence of discrimination,” said Konkuk University media communications professor Hwang Yong-seok, adding, “Data collection needs to precede policy formulation, and then network fee negotiation guidelines can be prepared.”
Korea Communications Commission (KCC) Chairman Lee Hyo-seong said that global Internet giants and their counterparts in South Korea can thrive together while sharing social responsibilities. He added the communication would abolish discriminatory regulations.
Assistant Minister of Science and ICT Min Won-ki said at the forum that the government will work on more policies and collaborate with more organizations to eliminate reverse discrimination against domestic Internet companies.