The National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information, Broadcasting and Communications Committee (STIBCC) faced significant setbacks during its national audit as key executives from major platform and artificial intelligence (AI) companies failed to appear as witnesses, raising concerns about user protection and the effectiveness of regulations.
Delays caused by disputes surrounding Lee Jin-sook, a lawmaker from the ruling party, have led to fears that the audit may not adequately address pressing platform and AI issues, potentially resulting in a 'hollow audit.'
During the STIBCC audit held on October 12, several key corporate representatives were either removed from the witness list or indicated they would not attend. The selection of Mark Lee, President of Apple Korea, was ultimately withdrawn. Shin Chang-seob, CEO of X (formerly Twitter), also did not respond regarding his attendance. Additionally, Kim Jong-yoon, CEO of Scatter Lab, cited overseas travel as the reason for his absence.
The absence of these corporate representatives raises concerns about the limited ability to scrutinize the platform and AI sectors during the national audit. It complicates efforts to investigate the causes of user harm and the operational realities of these services, making it difficult to question companies about preventive measures and follow-up actions.
Professor Ahn Jung-sang from Chung-Ang University emphasized the need for corporate representatives to explain user harm situations and propose improvements for youth protection and mitigating adverse effects. He warned that without clear explanations from businesses regarding their operational issues, discussions on strengthening regulations and improving systems could remain theoretical.
The absence of key executives is also expected to hinder the verification of whether the STIBCC's investigations and sanctions were appropriate. With major corporate representatives missing, it becomes challenging to compare the government's explanations regarding unfair practices and user harm in platform and AI services with corporate responses. Professor Ahn noted that relying solely on regulatory authorities' responses limits the development of effective user protection measures that align with real-world conditions, stressing the importance of having responsible parties present to clarify their positions and improvement plans when user harm occurs.
Some experts argue that the absence of big tech companies from the audit cannot be solely attributed to corporate negligence. They point out that lawmakers have often treated corporate representatives as criminals during past audits, creating a perception that attending these hearings is burdensome for companies.
Professor Lee Sung-yup from Korea University remarked that the audit is often seen not as a forum for rational discussion and alternative solutions but rather as a venue for unilateral criticism and accountability. He added that it is essential to listen to corporate perspectives reasonably, separate from legal accountability for violations of domestic laws.
Meanwhile, the national audit was further delayed due to ongoing disputes between lawmakers regarding Lee Jin-sook's actions. The controversy began when she posted a photo on her social media of her visit to the grave of the late father of the President in Bonghwa County, Gyeongbuk, on October 10. Ruling party lawmakers demanded her departure, while Lee defended her actions as a report of illegal grave construction on behalf of the public. In the afternoon, claims arose that her participation in the STIBCC audit posed a conflict of interest, further delaying proceedings.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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