Open Net co-hosted seminar “Borderless Internet and Digital Sovereignty” with the U.S. Embassy in Korea to discuss the problems with the server localization bill proposed by MP Jaeil Byun that requires IT companies to locate a server in Korea. Open Net considers this bill causes a great threat to the freedom of expression and privacy. Also, Open Net also discussed another current regulation threatening network neutrality, namely Sending Party Network Pays, which forces the otherwise peering networks to pay for the traffic they send to other networks and thereby incentivizes them to recoup those expenses from their client content providers by either charging usage-based pricing or higher transit fees. The scheme threatens network neutrality whereby the users could reach (by responding to the information requests of) all other users around the world without having to worry about how to pay for the traffic created thereby
Korea’s digital policy environment is rapidly changing. Rep. Byun Jaeil (Democratic Party) of the National Assembly’s Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee has proposed a server localization bill aimed at resolving reverse discrimination against domestic platforms, ensuring fair network usage fees from overseas OTT services, and achieving tax equity for foreign IT companies. And the government is considering relaxing net neutrality.
In response, Korea University’s American Law Center, Open Net Korea, and the U.S. Embassy in Seoul held a forum titled “Protecting Digital Sovereignty in a Borderless Internet” on Wednesday, November 28th, starting at 1 PM in Room 512 of the CJ Law Building at Korea University to discuss these trends with domestic and international experts.
Session 1 focused on “Server Localization,” examining the policy implications and alternatives of data localization and server localization. Joshua Meltzer, Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution, presented, with discussants including Park Hwonil (former professor at Kyung Hee University Law School), Cho Jangrae, Managing Director (Microsoft Korea), and Kim Gayeon (Attorney, Open Net).
Session 2 addressed “Net Neutrality and Network Interconnection,” with Bill Woodcock, Executive Director of Packet Clearing House (an international organization that builds and supports key internet infrastructure), presenting, followed by discussions with Kim Inseong (IT columnist), Han Jungwon (Ministry of Science and ICT), Choi Sungjin (President, Korea Startup Forum), and Choi Minoh (civil society security consultant)
“Borderless Internet and Digital Sovereignty”
ㅇ Date & Time: Wednesday, November 28, 2018, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
ㅇ Venue: Legal Leadership Academy (Room 512, CJ Law Building), Korea University Law School
ㅇ Co-hosts: Korea University American Law Center, Open Net Korea, U.S. Embassy in Rep. of Korea
<Opening Remarks>
Harry Harris, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea
Myeong Soon-gu, Dean of Korea University Law School
<Moderator>
Park Kyungsin, Professor at Korea University Law School/Director of Open Net Korea (Reference Materials)
<Session I: Server Localization>
– Content: What are data localization and server localization? Which countries are implementing them and what are their policy implications? Are there alternatives?
– Presentation: Joshua Meltzer, Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution (Presentation Materials)
– Discussants: Park Hwonil, Former Professor at Kyung Hee University Law School (Discussion Materials 1, Discussion Materials 2)
Cho Jangrae, Managing Director, Microsoft Korea Attorney
Kim Ga-yeon, Open Net Korea
<Session II: Net Neutrality and Network Interconnection>
– Content: How are internet networks connected internationally? How are ISPs interconnected and how do they contribute to interconnection? What is the relationship between net neutrality and interconnection? What is the assessment of Korea’s “sender pays” interconnection notice?
– Presentation: Bill Woodcock, Executive Director, PCH (Packet Clearing House) (Presentation Materials)
– Discussants: Kim Inseong, IT Columnist
Choi Sungjin, Korea Startup Forum
Choi Minoh, Civil Society Security Consultant (Discussion Materials)
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