Washington: A senior U.S. diplomat expressed optimism regarding cooperation with South Korea to address the United States' concerns over a revision to South Korea's Information and Communications Network Act. The amendment, aimed at tackling false online content, is set to take effect in July.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy Sarah Rogers described her talks with South Korean officials as "productive" and "constructive" during a recent trip to Seoul. This comes after South Korea's National Assembly passed the revision late last year, which had initially raised concerns from Rogers about potential viewpoint-based censorship and challenges to technology cooperation.
During a press event in Washington, Rogers highlighted ongoing dialogues between the U.S. and South Korea, noting the importance of discussions with key stakeholders, including American tech companies, to address concerns before the act's implementation. She pointed out definitions in the act that are "susceptible to interpretation," such as "public interest" and "human dignity," drawing parallels to similar challenges faced in Europe.
Rogers emphasized the necessity of a balanced conversation between governments and companies to prevent excessive censorship of speech, expressing optimism following her discussions in Seoul. She also raised questions about a provision concerning a regulatory framework for risk assessments and content management, which she worried might incentivize tech companies to moderate speech excessively.
As the U.S. evaluates South Korea's regulatory actions, concerns have emerged that the network act revision might be scrutinized under Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act, with the U.S. conducting trade investigations into South Korea and other partners. Rogers deferred comments on the investigations to the U.S. Trade Representative but underscored the importance of "reciprocal trade" and avoiding undue digital barriers.
The diplomat also referenced the joint fact sheet released by Seoul and Washington in November, highlighting the importance of honoring bilateral agreements on security, trade, and investment as the revision moves towards implementation.
Additionally, Rogers discussed cooperation with South Korea to advance the U.S. shipbuilding workforce, noting ongoing progress and the utility of a relevant exchange program. Her trip to Seoul also included a meeting with North Korean defectors, which she described as deeply impactful and underscored the value of information access in closed societies.
Rogers has recently been nominated by Trump as the chief executive of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, overseeing Voice of America.