The Korea Communications Commission (KCC) resolved today (October 28) to impose a total of KRW 63.7 billion in fines and issue corrective orders against Google and Apple for violations of the Telecommunications Business Act regarding their app market payment policies.

The commission decided against filing criminal complaints.

During the 46th plenary meeting held at the Government Complex Gwacheon in Gyeonggi Province today, the KCC passed the motion to fine Google KRW 429 billion and Apple KRW 208.1 billion, alongside issuing corrective orders.

Following discussion, the agenda regarding criminal complaints was also finalized as originally proposed not to file charges.

The KCC stated that both companies abused their dominant market positions to force specific payment methods and imposed disadvantageous conditions on third-party payment options, thereby restricting app developers' freedom of choice.

Investigations revealed that Google levied commissions on third-party payments and restricted the display of prices by payment method, while Apple made the use of external payments difficult by requiring developers to submit separate apps when adopting third-party payment systems.

Both companies were also sanctioned for failing to provide sufficient explanations regarding specific reasons and future schedules when app reviews were delayed.

Apple was additionally found to have violated regulations by applying discriminatory commission calculation standards to domestic and foreign developers.

The KCC decided to order both companies to halt the violating activities, improve their payment policies and operational procedures, and submit as well as report on the execution of corrective action plans.

Prior to the resolution, KCC Chairperson Kim Jong-chul expressed regret on behalf of the commission for the delay, stating, "It has taken more than three years since the former Korea Communications Commission notified the corrective action proposal in October 2023."

Chairperson Kim expressed hope that this measure would serve as an opportunity to correct app market operators' violations and protect the rights and interests of app developers and users, while urging the secretariat to thoroughly monitor the operators' compliance following the corrective actions.