Digital Times, Kim Ji-young] The first store of Apple Korea, which is scheduled to open at the end of this year, will be approved as a Korean mobile communication agency for the first time as a foreign company. Unlike overseas, the Apple Store seems to be controversial as it is directly responsible for the opening of three mobile communication companies. It is possible that sensitive personal information may be leaked to foreign companies and domestic companies may be discriminated against.

According to industry sources, SK Telecom, KT, and LG U Plus are in the process of commissioning a dealership code to the Apple Store. One expert said, "Just like Samsung and LG`s distribution stores, the Apple Store will also have a distributor code for three of them."

The Apple Store is Apple`s flagship store, where it regularly sells products. However, it is unusual for it to become a distributor in Korea. In the case where a large consumer electronics retailer in Korea conducts subscription and opening work of a mobile telecommunication company, it is a form in which the agency distributor enters the retail store or the distributor directly receives the `agency code`. In Korea, Samsung Digital Plaza, LG Best Shop and Hi-Mart are selling and opening mobile phones as agents.

Once the first Apple store to be built in Korea is granted the right to become a distributor, it is the first overseas company. In this process, it is already argued about opening up the network of Korean telecommunication companies to foreign companies.

It is concerned about handing sensitive personal information to foreign companies. When people sign up for a carrier, they need important personal information, such as an ID for identification and an account number for payment. In the process, personal information is passed on to Apple. Especially, it is pointed out that Apple has nothing to do with the fact that foreign IT companies, such as Google and Facebook, could not take such measures even if they collect personal information or disclose spills.

There are doubts as to whether sales subsidies or subsidies will work for domestic consumers. Ordinary dealers compete using the sales incentives and subsidies from mobile carriers, but it is unclear whether Apple will offer such `payback` services. Some argue that Apple`s ship can be called as a subsidy for domestic mobile carriers.

An expert of the Korea Mobile Communications and Distribution Association said, "Communication is a period of business, but it is not a problem to open a network to foreign companies." Concerns such as incentives and subsidies cannot be ruled out.

Meanwhile, it is also pointed out that it is possible to reverse the intention of the fully self-sufficient handset, which is currently being discussed in political circles. Self-sufficiency is a system that completely separates the sale of a handset and subscription service. Kim Seong-tae, a member of the Free Korean National Party and Park Hong-keun, has also initiated a related bill. Kim Seong-soo, a member of the Democratic Party, also announced his intention to initiate the bill. According to an amendment to the Telecommunications Business Law, which is initiated by Representative Park Hong-keun, it will prohibit the distribution of handsets of large-scale companies such as those of related parties, manufacturers and Hi-Mart. If this law passes, there may be controversy about reverse discrimination over the sale and opening of the Apple Store.

The Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Information and Communication, and the Korea Communications Commission are also the first government ministries. An expert from the Ministry of Information and Communication said, "There is no reason to limit the company`s ability to operate as a distributor as a foreign company." An official from the Korea Communications Commission said, "The existing portal and other businesses are collecting personal information, so there is no problem in itself." "We will examine the leakage of personal information in a matter of storage and management."

By Kim Ji Young kjy@


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