Why did the KMCC send a reply letter to U.S. lawmakers about the revised Network Act?

The KMCC said the amendment does not disproportionately target American companies and is meant to address social harms caused by changes in the digital landscape. It also said the standards will be applied equally to domestic and foreign firms.

Who signed the KMCC letter to Republican House lawmakers?

The letter was signed in the name of KMCC Chairman Kim Jong-cheol. It was also written under consultation with relevant ministries.

When did South Korea’s revised Information and Communications Network Act take effect, and what is it meant to do?

The revised law took effect in July. It is intended to curb the spread of false information online amid concerns about disinformation on social media and generative artificial intelligence.

Media watchdog sends letter to US lawmakers over Network Act pushback

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Summary

South Korea’s media watchdog sent a reply letter Thursday to Republican U.S. House lawmakers over concerns about the revised Network Act. The KMCC said the amendment does not disproportionately target American companies and will apply equally to domestic and foreign firms. It said the change is meant to address social harms in the digital landscape and protect platform users, while also safeguarding media freedom. The watchdog said it is open to further briefing if Washington lawmakers request it.

Key Facts

The letter was signed in the name of KMCC Chairman Kim Jong-cheol and written under consultation with relevant ministries.
The U.S. House Judiciary Committee, led by Chairman Jim Jordan, had sent a letter to the KMCC earlier this month raising concerns about South Korea’s revised Information and Communications Network Act.
The revised law took effect in July and is intended to curb the spread of false information online.

By Yonhap

Published Aug 20, 2026 8:30 pm KST

Kim Jong-cheol, president of the Korea Media Communications Commission, presides over a meeting at the government complex in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, Aug. 12. Yonhap

Korea's media watchdog said Thursday it sent a reply letter to Republican lawmakers from the U.S. House of Representatives explaining that the revision to the Network Act does not disproportionately target American companies.

The letter was signed in the name of the KMCC Chairman Kim Jong-cheol and written under the consultation of relevant ministries, according to the media watchdog.

The KMCC defended the amendment, saying that the legislative upgrade is aimed at addressing social harms caused by changes in the digital landscape and strengthening protection for platform users.

It reiterated that standards will be applied equally to both domestic and foreign firms, adding that measures to protect the freedom of speech of media outlets are also stated in the revision.

South Korea's media watchdog is open to providing further explanation on the revision should lawmakers in Washington request further briefing, the letter added.

The document comes after the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, led by Chairman Jim Jordan, sent a letter to the KMCC early this month, expressing concerns over South Korea's revised Information and Communications Network Act.

The revised law, which took effect in July, is intended to curb the spread of false information online. The government has said the update reflects growing concern over disinformation amid the rise of social media and generative artificial intelligence.

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