Commission decries electronic regulations

The Fair Trade Commission said yesterday in a report on the characteristics of the digital economy that government overregulation could prevent the introduction of new services and discourage investment, and even damage Korea’s competitiveness. Pointing to the case of Internet protocol television, or IPTV, the agency said that under electronic communications laws, companies had to report their business to the Information Ministry, but that the businesses also fell under broadcasting laws and must be regulated by the broadcasting committee. It said disputes between the two authorities had delayed the service’s advance into Korea. The commission also pointed out that that online trade activities are subject to the regulations of the Information Ministry, Commerce Ministry, Science Ministry and Fair Trade Commission. The agency suggested that regulators separate their roles, so that some agencies regulate competition while others look into technical matters. by Wohn Dong-hee