KCC Chairman Kim Jong-cheol says review is in final stages

Nearly 3 years have passed since preliminary notice issued in October 2023

Korea Communications Commission Chairman Kim Jong-cheol answers questions from lawmakers at a national audit of the KCC held by the National Assembly's Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee on Monday. [Yonhap]
Korea Communications Commission Chairman Kim Jong-cheol answers questions from lawmakers at a national audit of the KCC held by the National Assembly's Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee on Monday. [Yonhap]

The Korea Communications Commission is expected to vote this month on imposing fines on Google and Apple over alleged violations of the Telecommunications Business Act, including their mandatory in-app payment practices.

KCC Chairman Kim Jong-cheol said Monday at a national audit conducted by the National Assembly's Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee that he expects the vote to take place before the end of October. "We are in the final stage of deliberation," he said.

He added that the commission is wrapping up its final review after receiving additional submissions of opinions and evidence from the parties involved on outstanding issues.

Earlier, at a plenary session on Aug. 12, the KCC heard from Google and Apple and held a question-and-answer session, after which it decided to vote on the fines and specific corrective measures at a later date.

The KCC secretariat determined at the time that both companies had violated the Telecommunications Business Act by compelling app developers to use specific payment methods, applying unfavorable terms to third-party payment options, and delaying app reviews.

At Monday's national audit, National Assembly Science and ICT Committee Chairman Song Ki-heon said the final decision had still not been reached despite nearly three years passing since the preliminary notice of fines was issued in October 2023, and criticized the prolonged delay.

In response, Kim said the commission had treated the matter as its top priority since it began operations in April and has been proceeding through the required steps while ensuring the procedural rights of the parties and carefully examining the issues at hand.

In his opening remarks at the national audit, Kim outlined the creation of a safe digital and media environment as a key policy priority, saying the commission would strengthen sanctions against unfair practices — including introducing new fines to recover illicit gains from illegal spam and raising penalties for violations of prohibited conduct in the telecommunications market.

He went on to say the commission would pursue four overarching goals: restoring the public interest and autonomy of broadcasting and media, realizing a "media-based society," strengthening the competitiveness of the media and digital industries, and fostering a safe digital and media environment.


pink@heraldcorp.com