A debate session was held at the Korean National Assembly on Google’s role in monopolizing the information and communication technology (ICT) environment within South Korea. The forum was organized by Representative Byung-wan Jang from the Science, ICT, Future Planning, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee on September 18; KAIST students were also welcome to the forum.

The subtopics covered in this three-hour session were about finding solutions to Google’s dominant role in Korea and reverse discrimination imposed on domestic companies. Comparisons to policies in different countries were pointed out, including China’s take on protecting their local information technology companies from Google. Invited experts gathered their insights on Korea’s controversial ICT future prospects and policies to prevent Google’s monopoly.

Invited speakers from government organizations, professors, and corporate heads converged in the session to provide their views and solutions to this issue. The Head of SK Planet Jaehwan Lee, the Director of Internet Policy Han-geun Jeong from the Ministry of Science, ICT, and Future Planning were also invited to this forum. Professor Tae-hee Hwang from Sungshin University stated that due to Android's dominance in the domestic market, Google has been engaging in unfair business practices detrimental to consumer choices and interests. He also stated that Google forces its apps to be built on Android devices and refuses to acknowledge third-party app markets.

Korea University Professor Jong-soo Park said, “There is growing controversy over the legal jurisdiction over imposing value-added taxes, since there is a distinct difference between local and foreign companies in applying value-added taxes. So, we need to consider specifying the jurisdiction in a law.” He expressed that the Monopoly Regulation and Fair Trade Act should be applied to Google to curb such unfair business practices.

Representative Jang Byung-wan emphasized that, “Unfair practices availed by Google’s dominance in the platform market must be stopped to prevent abuse.” He stated that, “The discussions on alternative policies will be strongly reflected in the legislative process preventing any disadvantages for domestic companies.”