United States-Republic of Korea Digital Trade Enforcement Act

This bill aims to protect U.S. online and digital businesses from unfair rules in South Korea. If a South Korean law or rule singles out a U.S. platform and puts special limits on it, the U.S. Trade Representative must report to Congress within 30 days on whether a U.S. company was harmed and whether the rule breaks trade agreements. If the report finds harm or a violation, the U.S. can respond by starting a case at the World Trade Organization, launching a trade investigation under U.S. law, bringing a dispute under the U.S.–Korea free trade deal, or reaching an agreement with South Korea to fix the problem.

The text says the U.S.–South Korea partnership is important, but warns that some current and proposed Korean digital rules could unfairly burden U.S. businesses and even benefit Chinese tech companies. It also notes a $51.1 billion U.S. trade deficit with South Korea in 2023, up 16% from 2022, and raises concerns about targeted enforcement like office raids and threats of prosecution against U.S. firms.

• Who is affected: U.S. online and digital platform companies doing business in South Korea; the U.S. Trade Representative; South Korean regulators.
• What changes: Fast reporting to Congress on any discriminatory Korean digital rules and the option to take trade actions (WTO case, U.S. trade investigation, dispute under the U.S.–Korea agreement, or a negotiated fix).
• When it applies: The report is due within 30 days after a South Korean law or rule with discriminatory restrictions takes effect.