Former Trump aide says S. Korea's proposed tech rules would be 'gift' to China

▲ This AP photo shows then U.S. National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien speaking during a news conference in Phoenix, Arizona on June 24, 2020. (Yonhap)

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Former Trump aide says S. Korea's proposed tech rules would be 'gift' to China

By Song Sang-ho

WASHINGTON, Dec. 28 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's proposed regulations to prevent unfair market activities by major online platform businesses would be a "gift" to China, a former White House advisor said Thursday, warning they could cause friction with the United States if enacted.

Robert O'Brien, who served as national security advisor for then President Donald Trump from 2019-2021, made the case in a contribution to U.S. news outlet The Hill, as Seoul pushes for the rules that would step up oversight over market-dominant players to ensure fair competition.

O'Brien said that the regulations appeared to be "Korea's own version of the European Union's Digital Market Act (DMA)," which he said would have security consequences by "unevenly" regulating the digital market apparently in favor of Chinese tech giants.

"There is much debate on the wisdom of these bills. But one factor must be considered: their national security consequences," he wrote.

"A closer look shows DMA-style regulations actually make countries more vulnerable to nefarious actors. In Korea's case, such a move would be a gift to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)," he added.

O'Brien enumerated negative effects from the proposed rules, which he claimed would undermine the competitiveness of South Korean and U.S. firms.

"For Korea, such regulations would most certainly drive up compliance costs for just a few tech companies, likely leading to diminished investment, stymied innovation, fewer consumer choices and higher prices for customers," he said.

He went on to say, "This would set American and Korean companies back years while giving CCP-controlled companies the edge in the development of the digital platforms of the future."

If enacted, South Korea's regulations could produce "unnecessary friction" between Seoul and Washington, he warned.

"This friction would come at a time when the U.S.- ROK bilateral relationship is exceptionally important to maintaining security and economic prosperity in the Indo-Pacific," he said, referring to South Korea by its official name, the Republic of Korea.

O'Brien reportedly continues to work as a foreign policy advisor for Trump who is seeking a second White House term.

He is currently chairman and co-founder of American Global Strategies LLC., a strategic advisory firm.

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