 |
[Alpha Biz=Reporter Lee Hyungjin] The discussion of passing the act is expected to resume after the general election.
The Korean Fair Trade Commission postponed its push for the Online Platform Competition Act to the post-general election. The Presidential Office warned the FTC not to create any fuss before the election.
Alpha Biz confirmed that the FTC announcement of postponing a push to pass the act because of the presidential office’s warning.
An official, who is familiar with the internal affairs of the presidential office and the Korea Fair Trade Commission, said, "The presidential office has recently conducted a detailed review of the apprehension surrounding the act," adding, "The office recommended that a push for passing the act should be postponed to the post-general elections to avoid any negative impact to the election result."
The Online Platform Competition Act was known that it was drafted by the Chairman of the FTC, Han Ki-Jung, and received President Yoon’s approval. President Yoon has pushed the act to get passed.
Because of passing effort of the act was rushed, it hasn’t gone through a detailed preliminary review by the ruling parties.
"Even if Chairman of the FTC Han Ki-Jung, known as President Yoon’s kinsman, obtained presidential approval in a bottom-up approach, he failed to draw consent from other ministries," said a managing partner at the Nike law firm, Lee Hyun-Kwon.
He added, "On top of that, the presidential office expressed disappointment in the growing concerns by the related industries.”
He predicted, "The FTC has stalled the push for passing the act, but it will resume its drive without much change to the original draft after the election.”
The FTC was earlier expected to unveil the details of the act during the public discussion hosted by the presidential office on February 8th. The committee postponed the draft of the act amid increasing criticism from companies and industry experts.
Alphabiz 이형진 기자(magicbullet@alphabiz.co.kr)
