Are US Companies Facing Discrimination in Korea? Unpacking the Digital Non-Discrimination Pact

Jang Bok-kyung | 2026.04.29

Translation result.
The U.S.-Korea joint fact sheet's digital non-discrimination pledge will be faithfully implemented

Blue House[Yonhap file photo][Yonhap file photo]

The Blue House said the U.S. government's public criticism of South Korea's network usage fee policy mischaracterized the situation, adding that claims U.S. companies are being discriminated against over network fees or platform regulation are unfounded. A Blue House official told reporters on the 28th that while bills to mandate network usage fees have been introduced in the National Assembly, none have been enacted. He said the digital non-discrimination commitment set out in the U.S.-Korea leaders' joint fact sheet last November remains unchanged and will be implemented in good faith. The \"digital non-discrimination\" commitment in the fact sheet pledges that laws and policies affecting digital services — including network usage fees and online platform regulation — will not discriminate against U.S. firms or erect unnecessary barriers. Earlier, in a social-media post listing foreign trade barriers facing U.S. exporters, the U.S. Trade Representative wrote: \"No country in the world charges its own internet service providers network usage fees to transmit internet traffic — except Korea.\" #BlueHouse #NetworkUsageFee #FactSheet #US Yonhap News TV — Inquiries and tips: KakaoTalk/LINE jebo23; Jang Bo-kyung (jangbo@yna.co.kr)