By Lee Min-hyung
Two lawmakers have called for the need to impose stronger sanctions on Naver amid growing concerns over the nation's top portal operator's growing influence and dominance in the local internet industry.
Under the theme "Why we need to regulate portals," Rep. Kim Sung-tae of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party has joined hands with Rep. Kim Kyung-jin of the minor liberal People's Party to hold a policy discussion forum Friday.
They said the local internet portal firm has grown huge enough to pose a significant threat to the local economy, as shown from the recent scandal when the company removed an online news article at the request of the nation's football league.
"Naver holds more than 75 percent of the local internet search market," Rep. Kim Sung-tae said. "Backed by its dominance, the company is exerting influence on the society in such areas as broadcasting and the telecommunications market."
"The internet has so far been relatively free from regulations due to its innovative and autonomous features," he said. "But it is almost impossible for us to expect the regulation-free online ecosystem to grow in the right direction."
The lawmaker also explained new legal measures against Naver will help build a fairer competitive environment in the local portal market.
"The local internet ecosystem has not operated properly because the portal industry was in a blind spot with regard to regulations," Rep. Kim Kyung-jin said. Under the current legal system and market conditions, new portal operators can never compete against Naver, so it is proper for the government to impose a series of strict public responsibilities on the firm.
He said the National Assembly is also mulling taking legal steps to stop Naver from managing its media management business at a time when freedom of speech is under threat from portal operators.
"We will also introduce measures to prevent portal operators and advertisers from exerting their influence on media companies," he said.
A group of experts in the industry and government circles will join the upcoming discussion, expressing their ideas over the need to reform the current legal system in a way for balanced growth in the internet industry.
Two lawmakers have called for the need to impose stronger sanctions on Naver amid growing concerns over the nation's top portal operator's growing influence and dominance in the local internet industry.
Under the theme "Why we need to regulate portals," Rep. Kim Sung-tae of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party has joined hands with Rep. Kim Kyung-jin of the minor liberal People's Party to hold a policy discussion forum Friday.
They said the local internet portal firm has grown huge enough to pose a significant threat to the local economy, as shown from the recent scandal when the company removed an online news article at the request of the nation's football league.
"Naver holds more than 75 percent of the local internet search market," Rep. Kim Sung-tae said. "Backed by its dominance, the company is exerting influence on the society in such areas as broadcasting and the telecommunications market."
"The internet has so far been relatively free from regulations due to its innovative and autonomous features," he said. "But it is almost impossible for us to expect the regulation-free online ecosystem to grow in the right direction."
The lawmaker also explained new legal measures against Naver will help build a fairer competitive environment in the local portal market.
"The local internet ecosystem has not operated properly because the portal industry was in a blind spot with regard to regulations," Rep. Kim Kyung-jin said. Under the current legal system and market conditions, new portal operators can never compete against Naver, so it is proper for the government to impose a series of strict public responsibilities on the firm.
He said the National Assembly is also mulling taking legal steps to stop Naver from managing its media management business at a time when freedom of speech is under threat from portal operators.
"We will also introduce measures to prevent portal operators and advertisers from exerting their influence on media companies," he said.
A group of experts in the industry and government circles will join the upcoming discussion, expressing their ideas over the need to reform the current legal system in a way for balanced growth in the internet industry.
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