On the 25th, it was learned that the Democratic Party of Korea is reviewing a plan to change the name of the "Online Platform Fairness Act (On-ple Act)," a presidential campaign pledge by Lee Jae-myung. The aim is to remove the term "online platform" from the bill title. The move appears to follow concerns raised by the United States during recent tariff talks that the bill could disadvantage U.S. big tech corporations such as Google, Apple and Meta.
According to ChosunBiz reporting compiled that day, the Democratic Party is reviewing a plan to remove the word "online platform" from the "Act on the Fairness of Intermediation transactions on Online Platforms (transactions fairness act)" and the "Act on the Regulation of Online Platform Monopolies (antitrust act)," which make up the On-ple Act. The National Policy Committee's Bill Subcommittee 2 of the National Assembly will take up the matter that day.
Kang Jun-hyun, a Democratic Party lawmaker who serves as the ruling party secretary on the National Policy Committee, told ChosunBiz, "There is a lot to fix in the On-ple Act, and considering the situation with the United States, I think we need to remove the term 'online platform' from the bill title," adding, "The United States is reacting (sensitively) to the bill title, so there is no need to insist on it."
Behind the Democratic Party's consideration of changing the bill title are the South Korea-U.S. tariff negotiations. The United States argued during the tariff talks that the On-ple Act could disadvantage big tech such as Google, Apple and Meta. In fact, the South Korea-U.S. fact sheet included language that "U.S. corporations will not be discriminated against in relation to online platform regulation."
The Democratic Party also plans to move the "fee cap"—a core element of the On-ple Act—into a different bill. This reflects U.S. concerns that a fee cap could restrict Google and Apple's in-app payments. The fee cap is a system that prevents platforms from charging small businesses, such as delivery companies, fees that exceed a certain amount. Earlier, on the 21st, Fair Trade Commission Chair Ju Biung-ghi also mentioned at a press briefing a plan to introduce a fee cap in a way that applies only to domestic delivery apps.
Lawmaker Kang Jun-hyun said, "The (fee cap) needs to be revised, and we must be cautious so as not to cause friction with the United States," adding, "We plan to push ahead after consulting with the party, the government and the presidential office to amend the statutes and supplement the details."