▲ This photo, taken on April 7, 2026, shows Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy Sarah Rogers attending a press conference at the Foreign Press Center in Washington. (Yonhap)

US-Korea-network act

U.S. calls on S. Korea not to impose 'disproportionate' burdens on U.S. firms under revised network act

By Song Sang-ho and Lee Yumi

WASHINGTON, July 9 (Yonhap) -- A State Department spokesperson urged South Korea Thursday not to impose "disproportionate" burdens on U.S. firms under its revised network act, expressing concerns that the revision could lead to excessive content regulation.

The spokesperson's remarks came as South Korea started implementing the revision this week following its passage through the National Assembly late last year.

"The ROK should not impose disproportionate burdens on U.S. companies, nor use implementation as a mechanism to demand censorship of free speech," the spokesperson said in response to a question from Yonhap News Agency. ROK stands for South Korea's official name, the Republic of Korea.

"The United States remains dedicated to working with the ROK to promote a free and open digital environment for all," the official added.

The spokesperson pointed out that the U.S. has "significant concerns" that the revision "could enable excessive content regulation and undermine free speech."

"We expect continued dialogue with key stakeholders -- particularly U.S. technology companies -- to ensure implementation does not chill free speech," the official said.

The spokesperson noted that during her visit to South Korea in April, Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy Sarah Rogers was encouraged by her discussions with Seoul officials, who she found "engaged and knowledgeable" on the risks that "vaguely drafted provisions can lead platforms to over-censor speech."

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