Key facts
- A South Korean official stated that a proposed U.S. tariff over forced labor concerns is neither appropriate nor necessary.
- A U.S. State Department spokesperson urged South Korea not to impose disproportionate burdens on U.S. firms under its revised network act.
- The U.S. expressed concerns that South Korea's revised network act could lead to excessive content regulation and undermine free speech.
- The U.S. expects continued dialogue with stakeholders to ensure the act's implementation does not chill free speech.
A South Korean official has stated that a proposed U.S. tariff related to forced labor concerns is "neither appropriate nor necessary." This statement comes as the U.S. also voiced concerns regarding South Korea's revised network act.
A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department urged South Korea on Thursday not to impose "disproportionate" burdens on American firms under its recently revised network act. The spokesperson expressed worries that the revision, which began implementation this week, could lead to excessive content regulation and undermine free speech.
"The ROK should not impose disproportionate burdens on U.S. companies, nor use implementation as a mechanism to demand censorship of free speech," the spokesperson said in response to a question from Yonhap News Agency. The U.S. is dedicated to working with South Korea to promote a free and open digital environment.
The spokesperson noted that Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy Sarah Rogers had discussions with Seoul officials in April, who she found "engaged and knowledgeable" about the risks that vaguely drafted provisions can lead platforms to over-censor speech. The U.S. expects continued dialogue with key stakeholders, particularly U.S. technology companies, to ensure the implementation of the act does not chill free speech.