Map Export and Online Platform Law Excluded from Korea-US Tariff Negotiations...IT Industry 'Relieved Yet Concerned'

[Financial News] The domestic information technology (IT) industry, which was closely watching the results of the Korea-US tariff negotiations regarding the export of high-precision map data overseas, is breathing a sigh of relief as the issue was excluded from the negotiation table. However, there are reactions suggesting that it is necessary to watch carefully as the Korea-US summit next month and the notification of the review results regarding Google's map export request are still pending. Similarly, it seems that the pressure from the US regarding the Online Platform Law (Onpl Law), which was also excluded from this negotiation, will continue, and the debate is expected to persist for the time being.  
Kim Yong-beom, the Presidential Office Policy Director, stated in an emergency briefing on the 31st that issues such as the export of high-precision map data, defense cost issues, and arms import negotiations "are separate issues and were not included in the results of this negotiation," adding that "the Online Platform Law was present at the negotiation stage but did not make it to the final table." He also mentioned, "High-precision map information and agricultural and livestock products were the most discussed areas with the United States Trade Representative (USTR), but this time, as the focus was on trade, we defended those areas," and "there will be no additional concessions."
Domestic map industry officials are relieved. An industry official said, "It is fortunate that we could confirm the new government's stance that security values cannot be exchanged for trade," adding, "However, the Korea-US summit and the notification of the review results for the map data export request are still pending, so we need to watch the situation."
Previously, Google applied to the National Geographic Information Institute of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on February 18, after the inauguration of the Trump administration in the United States, to allow the transfer of domestic high-precision maps at a scale of 1:5000 to Google's data center overseas. Apple also submitted an application to the National Geographic Information Institute last month to allow the export of the same data overseas, and the government must notify Google by August 11 and Apple by September 8 of the review results regarding the export. The government has previously rejected requests from overseas big tech companies to export high-precision map data due to security concerns.
In the case of the Onpl Law, although it did not make it to the negotiation table this time, there is a prevailing view that domestic legislation may be difficult. This is because the US has been increasing pressure by claiming that the Onpl Law is a digital trade barrier. The US House Judiciary Committee recently sent a request to the Fair Trade Commission to hold a briefing by July 7, after the tariff negotiation deadline, to explain the impact of the Onpl Law on US companies. The domestic platform industry, which was concerned about reverse discrimination against overseas big tech companies due to the Onpl Law, is also watching this situation closely. If the US demands are accepted and legislation is pushed forward, there is a possibility that it could turn into a regulation targeting only the domestic platform industry. Professor Jeon Seong-min of the Department of Business Administration at Gachon University said, "The US is likely to continue its pressure based on 'national platform capitalism,'" adding, "Since it is a contentious area, the government needs to consider various ways to resolve concerns about reverse discrimination against domestic platforms in the future."

wongood@fnnews.com Joo Won-kyu Reporter