Seoul: The foreign ministry stated Friday that the revised network act is free from discriminatory measures against foreign companies and affirmed ongoing consultations with the United States to address legislative concerns.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the revised Information and Communications Network Act, which came into effect on Tuesday, mandates that major online platform operators, such as Naver, Kakao, Google, Meta, and X, are responsible for removing or blocking false and manipulated information.
In reaction, a U.S. State Department spokesperson urged Seoul on Thursday (U.S. time) to avoid imposing "disproportionate" burdens on American companies with the revised law. The spokesperson also cautioned that the law's implementation could potentially lead to excessive content regulation and negatively impact free speech.
The foreign ministry clarified in a press briefing that the amendment aims to address social issues stemming from changes in the digital environment and to enhance user protection. The ministry emphasized that the act does not discriminate against domestic or foreign companies and upholds freedom of expression as protected by the Constitution.
The ministry highlighted that the government has actively explained the legislation's purpose and details to the U.S. and other key stakeholders, committing to maintain essential communication with the U.S. during the law's implementation phase.