Google, Netflix chiefs in S. Korea asked to testify about their business practices

The National Assembly of South Korea will summon the chiefs of Google and Netflix’s Korean operations to serve to testify about their business practices at the upcoming audits scheduled for October.

Google Korea's Nancy Mable Walker will be asked to testify at the Science, ICT, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee’s first audit on Oct. 7.

Google Korea is thinking of expanding the payment policy for its in-app purchases and increase its 30 percent commission fee.

The policy currently applies only to game apps but may affect other content apps such as those for webcomics, music streaming services, and e-books.

NCSoft COO Jung Jin-soo and One Store CEO Lee Jae-hwan are set to testify on the implications of Google Korea’s change of policy at the Korea Communications Commission’s Oct. 8 audit.

According to the Ministry of Science and ICT, Google Play's revenue accounted for 63.4 percent of the Korean app market.

Reginald Shawn Thompson of Netflix Services Korea was also asked to appear as a witness.

The Telecommunications Business Act is being revised to require foreign platform operators to share the costs of ensuring stable services, which have been solely borne by telecommunications firms.

Netflix had been enjoying a free ride on local networks,

The head of SK Telecom’s mobile network operator business, Yoo Young-sang, the head of KT’s customer business, Kang Kook-hyun, and LG Uplus President Hwan Hyun-sik were also asked to testify.