Republic of Korea: Amended enforcement decree for the Telecommunications Business Act including prohibition of in-app payment requirements

On 17 November 2021, the Korean Communication Commission (KCC) released its amended enforcement decree for the Telecommunications Business Act. The regulation bans app market operators from requiring app developers to use their own in-app purchasing system, hence forcing them to open their app stores to alternative payment systems. App developers will therefore be freed from the mandatory commission fees that both Apple and Google charge. Furthermore, app market operators are prohibited from restricting app developers from offering their applications on other app stores. The unfair deletion of applications from app stores, as well as the unfair delay in the review of applications, is also forbidden. Finally, every other discriminatory act towards app developers is prohibited under the Act provisions.