PHILIPPINES, REPUBLIC OF KOREA DISCUSS TELECOMMUNICATIONS REGULATION AND EMERGING DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES AT HIGH-LEVEL MEETING

KCC Vice Chairman Lee Sang-In welcomed the Philippine delegation to KCC and underscored the importance of harnessing the challenges and opportunities of innovative Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) such as global-based services, Over-the-Top (OTT) services, chatGPT, and artificial intelligence as part of the international community. KCC's primary mandate is to protect users and viewers from harmful content and practices in telecommunications through the regulation of online broadcasting services, platform players, and anti-trust practices domestically and globally. The Philippines, through the NTC, is working towards similar goals of telecommunications regulation to protect users from harmful and malevolent media content. Both sides had a productive discussion of their respective institutional frameworks and agreed to work together on areas that require stronger international cooperation and information-sharing such as overseas regulation, AI platforms, and online-based streaming and selling services.

NTC Commissioner Lopez conveyed the Philippines' interest in learning the end-to-end process of KCC's investigation and sanctions imposed on harmful online content and in cooperation with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and regulatory policies, especially those that involve harmful online presence.

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega looked forward to future engagement with KCC as NTC seeks to strengthen its legal and regulatory framework as well as its IT infrastructure.

Special Envoy for Digital Transformation Dennis Uy expressed his appreciation for KCC's openness and readiness to share knowledge and experience in ICT policies with the NTC. The Special Envoy looked forward to more opportunities where the Republic of Korea can help enhance Philippine goals for transformative ICT policies.

The three senior officials from the Philippines were joined by NTC Deputy Commissioner Alvin Bernard N. Blanco, NTC Director Imelda R. Walcien (Regulation), NTC Director Andres Castelar Jr. (Legal), Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha Olavario (Philippine Embassy in Seoul), Atty. Frank Martin Abalos (Office of the Special Envoy for Digital Transformation), and Mr. McNeil Mendoza (Office of the Special Envoy for Digital Transformation). The ROK side included Director Jong-Hwan Eom (International Cooperation Division), Director Ji-Hyun Cheon (Consumer Policy Coordination Division) and Director Woo-Seok Kim (Digital Illegal and Harmful Information Response Division).

Both the NTC and the KCC looked forward to follow-up engagements in the future to facilitate the exchange of best practices in managing new and emerging technologies in the field of communications aside from AI and possible technological transfer to aid the regulation of Philippine communications. END