News by Levels · Level 2 · Student worksheet

South Korea Orders Changes to App Payment Rules

Name: __________________________ Date: __________________

Read the story

South Korea's media regulator fined Google and Apple a combined 63.7 billion won on October 28. It said the companies' payment rules effectively pushed app developers towards their own systems.

The regulator ordered the companies to let developers provide links to outside payment websites. It also said both companies had delayed app reviews unfairly. Apple disagreed with the decision and said it was considering its options.

Source: The Korea Times, 2026-10-28. https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/companies/20261028/korea-fines-google-apple-combined-476-mil-over-in-app-payment-practices

Read and practise

1. Which concern did the regulator give for the fines?

   1. It said the payment rules effectively pushed developers towards the companies’ systems
   2. It said developers had delayed app reviews
   3. It said all apps must offer free payments

2. What did Apple say about the decision?

   1. It had already completed the ordered changes
   2. It disagreed and was considering its options
   3. It accepted the regulator’s findings

Your turn

Explain the regulator’s concern about payment choices and describe one action it ordered.

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Read online: https://newsbylevels.com/news/south-korea-fines-google-apple-app-payments-october-2026/level-2/