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[Special Interview] AMCHAM chair calls for regulatory reform to bring more headquarters to Seoul
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AMCHAM chair calls for regulatory reform to bring more headquarters to Seoul   BY PARK EUN-JEE & SARAH CHEA, Korea JoongAng Daily - Korea's potential as a site for regional headquarters came into the limelight when media outlets like the New York Times and Washington Post created news hubs in Seoul three years ago. The shift was attributed to the country's relatively high political and press freedom, compared to other Asian countries, while China's censorship in Hong Kong was on the rise. Beijing's increased scrutiny and existing tensions between the United States and China could provide Korea an upper hand in the race to bring home global companies' Asia headquarters, says James Kim, chairman and CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM).  “Many global companies, like Qualcomm and Delta Air Lines, have moved their Asia-Pacific headquarters to Korea from other options like China, Singapore and Japan,” Kim said during an interview with the Korea JoongAng Daily. “Leveraging Korea’s robust infrastructure, skilled workforce and seamless IT integration, there exists a distinct opportunity for Korea to establish itself as a regional business hub.” Kim, in early March, sent President Yoon Suk Yeol a recent report called “Korea as an Asia-Pacific Regional Headquarters,” calling for regulatory reform. “Korea-U.S. relations are at an all-time high,” Kim said. “I believe there is more the two countries can do for future economic cooperation and trade relations, and AMCHAM will play our role as a bridge builder.” As the largest and oldest foreign Chamber in Korea, AMCHAM represents more than 800 member companies and affiliates including Hyundai Motor, LG Energy Solution and SK hynix, which employ more than 460,000 people in Korea. The Korea JoongAng Daily sat down with Kim to discuss AMCHAM 's role in relations between Korea and the United States and what Korea can do more to make it a regional headquarters in Asia. The first Korean American to head the organization, Kim is now in his seventh year as AMCHAM Korea chairman and CEO. He previously served as chief executive official at Korean units of Yahoo, Microsoft and General Motors. Below is an edited excerpt from his March 19 interview at AMCHAM Korea’s headquarters in Yeouido, western Seoul. Q. You sent a report to President Yoon. Can you elaborate on the details of the report? The report highlights why Korea is a good option for U.S. companies to pick as an Asia-Pacific headquarters. Korea has so many chances, and I’ve been telling Yoon to make a few more small changes, and Korea can be the winner here. In semiconductor companies like Applied Materials, Korea is already making big bucks. About 25 percent of global revenue comes from Korea, which is why Qualcomm has its Asia-Pacific headquarters in Korea. EVs- and batteries-wise, Korea has the infrastructure and people equation, and many global companies are now willing to work with Korean companies like Hyundai Motor and LG Energy Solution. My mission is to make Korea a regional headquarters of U.S. companies so that people who run business in Korea are physically in Korea to make direct decisions on investments and resources. Q. There’s an anticipation that the intensifying United States-China tension may benefit Korea in terms of attracting foreign investment and regional headquarters. Do you see that as a realistic scenario? Due to the geopolitical challenges, some companies have to consider other options than China. For instance, the New York Times moved its Asia headquarters from Hong Kong to Korea. They had other options like Singapore, Japan and Australia but picked Korea. Hosting the regional headquarters offers significant economic and strategic benefits to the host country. It attracts foreign direct investment [FDI] from multinational corporations seeking to establish their regional headquarters, thereby boosting economic growth and creating employment opportunities. Additionally, hosting regional headquarters promotes local career advancement as employees gain access to leadership roles overseeing the entire Asia-Pacific region. In recent years, Korea has emerged as a contender for Asia-Pacific headquarters, with numerous prominent multinational corporations, including Qualcomm, General Motors, Delta Air Lines, Disney, Novelis and the New York Times, recognizing the advantages of establishing their regional headquarters in the country. Q. What do you think is Korea’s appeal as a preferred regional headquarters destination in the Asia Pacific region? Korea is the second most favored location for regional headquarters, following Singapore, according to AMCHAM’s Business Survey 2024. More than 80 percent of the AMCHAM partner companies maintain an optimistic outlook for future investments in Korea. First, the Korean economy is remarkably resilient. Despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, Korea has emerged stronger as the world’s 10th-largest economy. One of the main drivers of this growth is the Korean people. With a highly skilled workforce and a strong culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, Korea has been able to adapt quickly to maintain its competitive edge. Korea is also a global leader in innovation, driven by its robust IT infrastructure, talent pool and commitment to research and development. Based on its leadership in cutting-edge technologies such as AI, EV batteries, hydrogen, robotics and semiconductors, Korea has established itself as a powerhouse in the industry. The Korean Wave craze is once again hitting the world. Korean culture is now in the middle of the global fad, including K-pop, K-sports and K-food. There is more interest than ever among U.S. companies to invest in Korea across diverse industries. I am often asked about the strength of the Korean business environment. I’ve been in Korea for 20 years now. If it wasn’t a great place for global companies to do business, I would have probably gone back to the United States years ago. Q. While some 5,000 global companies have selected Singapore as their Asia headquarters, Korea is home to fewer than 100. What do you see as the biggest reason? As I mentioned previously, it is imperative for Korea to establish the most competitive business environment when compared to regional counterparts like Singapore, Japan and Hong Kong. The report identifies labor flexibility as one of the top four areas of reform needed for Korea to realize its potential as a regional headquarters. In terms of labor flexibility, Korea is perceived as having a more rigid system (ranked 97th) compared to regional peers such as Japan (11th), Hong Kong (19th) and Singapore (first). The current working hour policy in Korea imposes more restrictions than its counterparts. Creating an environment that enables companies to quickly adjust their workforce in response to evolving market demands will position Korea as an appealing destination for international businesses. Given Korea’s strategic importance to the global economy, greater regulatory harmonization and market access in the Korean market would create a level playing field for domestic and foreign companies and enable greater innovation and partnerships between the two countries. Q. How about in more general sectors? In my opinion, Korea could significantly enhance expatriate experiences by focusing on administrative services, particularly related to the immigration process and financial services. Simplifying and expediting procedures for obtaining residency permits and work visas would alleviate bureaucratic burdens, enabling expatriates to settle in more swiftly and focus on their professional roles. Additionally, enhancing financial services, including expediting bank account setups and credit card acquisition, would facilitate expatriates' financial transactions and daily living arrangements. Q. How can the Korean government further support initiatives to establish regional headquarters, and how does AMCHAM plan to contribute to these efforts? Foreign investors experience challenges from Korea’s complicated, opaque and country-specific regulatory framework. A more favorable regulatory environment that aligns Korean regulations with global standards is crucial. The Korean government has taken steps to address regulatory issues over the last decade. As a result, we have seen incremental improvements in the overall business environment. In this regard, we appreciate President Yoon’s deregulation initiative. Notably, in the previous year, the Korean government successfully implemented two significant regulatory initiatives including the extension of the flat tax rate for foreign workers. Under the previous tax system, a foreigner had to pay according to the normal tax rate like Koreans after living here for five years. This forced them to move out of Korea, and from a business perspective, juniors replaced the seats. Korea should help experienced workers to stay in the country to make more decisions and attract investments. Q. The Fair Trade Commission's new Platform Competition Promotion Act is the talk of the town. What direction should the regulation go? We always want to tell them, “Please do not rush to speak to as many stakeholders as possible.” The government should be concerned about all the different bodies and make a fair determination. I mean, all the laws already exist there. Q. There have been concerns about the impacts the U.S. election will bring to Korean companies, especially if Donald Trump wins. What do you make of the ongoing election and its effect? Right now, people are just concerned about uncertainties. Korea and the United States have maintained a positive relationship for more than 70 years, surpassing so many presidents. When Trump was president, we still had a very good relationship. He’s a business person. It will be fine. Q. How have Korea-U.S. relations contributed to fostering a business environment, and what is AMCHAM’s role in the ties? I’ve been in Korea for two decades and the relations between Korea and the United States is at the best I’ve ever seen. The relationship between presidents Yoon and Biden is also very good. Trade and investments between the two countries have reached historic levels. Since 2021, Korea has emerged as the leading investor in the United States, exceeding the $100 billion mark. Conversely, the United States secured the top spot as the largest FDI contributor to Korea last year when Korea had a record-high FDI of more than $30 billion. By December of last year, the United States had solidified its status as Korea’s primary export market. The enduring Korea-U.S. free trade agreement has stood as an economic backbone of the two’s economic partnership for more than a decade. Ongoing dialogue and FTA provisions facilitate discussions on potential trade barriers, ensuring a fair and transparent business environment for U.S. companies operating in Korea. The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), a U.S.-led regionwide economic engagement initiative, presents an important opportunity for the Korea-U.S. partnership. As one of the 14 members actively participating in the negotiations across all four pillars including trade, and supply chain, Korea holds a key role in this initiative. We welcome the upcoming implementation of the IPEF Supply Chain next month, which will enhance Korea’s economic security in vital strategic industries. Concurrently, we urge the Korean and U.S. governments to incorporate meaningful deregulatory initiatives, such as introducing a binding digital economy chapter in the trade pillar of the IPEF. This step will contribute significantly to positioning Korea as an innovative hub in the region. Q. What’s AMCHAM 's major focus for 2024 other than the regional headquarters initiative? At AMCHAM, we are serious about our mission to help U.S. businesses thrive in Korea and facilitate greater Korean investments in the U.S. AMCHAM also helps support smaller firms from Korea and the United States to expand their operations abroad. As a bridge builder between the United States and Korea, Amcham will continue to work closely with both governments and partners to deliver on our mission. Despite ongoing uncertainties, AMCHAM saw record growth in membership in our 71 years of history, with many iconic U.S. as well as Korean companies joining the Chamber or becoming premium members. We have seen a 500 percent increase in premium members more than the past five years. This shows that global companies see the appeal of the Korean market, even in a time of pandemic, and recognize the value of the AMCHAM platform. As we move forward, we are keen to maintain this positive momentum. One of our key objectives is to expand the membership base further, broadening the spectrum of perspectives, expertise and networks within AMCHAM. By welcoming more diverse members, we can enhance collaboration, knowledge exchange and business synergies, making AMCHAM an even more robust and influential platform for fostering economic growth and mutual prosperity. Source:https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2024-03-25/business/industry/Amcham-chair-calls-for-regulatory-reform-to-bring-more-headquarters-to-Seoul/2008680 

2024.03.26

[RHQ Report + AMCHAM BOG Letter] Follow AMCHAM's advice
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Follow AMCHAM's advice   By The Korea Times - Ending a negative interest rate policy, the Bank of Japan raised the lending rate for overnight borrowing to 0 to 0.1 percent from minus 0.1 percent on Tuesday. The rate hike was the first since February 2007. It came as part of Japan’s attempts to shift away from its ultra-lax monetary policy. Market watchers interpreted Japan’s move as tantamount to a declaration of its exit from the “lost 30 years.” Japan had been desperate to address the long-standing deflation with the negative rate policy coupled with other measures to inject money into the economy to boost workers’ wages and increase employment. Many Japanese companies have been benefitting from enormous amounts of grants from the United States amid the escalating rivalry between the U.S. and China. Japan has also taken audacious deregulatory measures to induce investments from leading foreign companies while exploring future growth engines in cutting-edge areas like semiconductors, for instance. In contrast, it is a pity to see Korea still struggling despite opportunities to make the most of the exodus of global firms from China. It needs to attentively listen to the admonishment by the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) in Korea. It said the “China exodus” by global companies will provide Seoul with precious opportunities to become a business hub of the Asia-Pacific. AMCHAM surveyed around 800 member companies active here, which showed Korea being the second most favored country for establishing their Asia-Pacific headquarters, following Singapore. In explaining their preference for Korea, they highlighted factors such as reasonable living costs, the influence of Hallyu (the Korean wave), and the convenient industrial and transportation infrastructure, which position Korea as a viable alternative to China as the prime candidate for hosting their headquarters. Concerning the reasons global firms avoid Korea, AMCHAM cited a comparatively lower level of labor flexibility, such as the 52-hour work system, paired with an excessive punitive regime against employers represented by the Serious Disaster Punishment Act, heightening the legal accountability risks for CEOs. They also cited hefty corporate taxes and digital-related regulations. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development recently forecast Korea’s potential economic growth to fall to 1.7 percent this year, although it climbed to 2.3 percent in 2020. Due to the declining fertility rate and rapidly aging population, the nation is projected to enter a phase of near-zero growth in the foreseeable future. Against this backdrop, Korea's emergence as the Asia-Pacific hub for global companies could offer a breakthrough from the protracted low growth phase. In particular, attracting major global firms and talented people will facilitate Korea’s bid to sharpen its competitive edges in areas such as finance and information and technology. Singapore has some 5,000 Asia-Pacific headquarters, largely boosted by its policy of curtailing 5 to 10 percent of corporate taxes. In comparison, Korea has less than 100 headquarters. The Yoon Suk Yeol administration and the political parties should double down on efforts to speed up pension, education and labor reforms. They should also focus on reforming corporate and inheritance tax systems. These are necessary to proactively induce foreign investments and prop up the growth momentum. AMCHAM was set up in 1953 in the aftermath of the Korean War. This marks the first time it has published such a goodwill policy report since its inception. It can be taken to tell Korea that it faces the last chance to leap forward again. The admonishment is essential for Korea at a time when its growth momentum sputters. The government and the political parties, regardless of their ideological inclinations and political stances, should combine efforts to do away with the diverse regulations that hinder investments by global companies. Source: https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/opinion/2024/03/137_371123.html 

2024.03.26

[APAC RHQ Report] “홍콩 떠나는 기업 잡아야”… 韓, 물류·로봇·콘텐츠 강점
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“홍콩 떠나는 기업 잡아야”… 韓, 물류·로봇·콘텐츠 강점 ​제조업 인프라·기술력 등 부각 스타트업 정책 활용 가능성도  조선비즈 권유정 기자 - 미·중 갈등 심화로 글로벌 기업의 탈(脫)중국 현상이 심화하는 가운데, 홍콩을 떠나는 글로벌 기업의 아시아·태평양 지역 거점을 한국이 유치해야 한다는 지적이 나온다. 홍콩이 외면받으면서 반사 수혜를 입은 대표적인 나라는 싱가포르지만, 한국은 제조업 관련 인프라(기반시설)와 기술력에 대한 긍정적인 평가가 많다.   24일 재계에 따르면 최근 암참(AMCHAM·주한미국상공회의소)의 800여 개 회원사는 ‘아태 본부를 두고 싶은 국가’로 한국을 싱가포르 다음으로 많이 꼽았다. 암참은 글로벌 기업의 탈중국 현상이 한국에겐 기회라고 봤다.  실제 로봇·물류·콘텐츠 산업에서는 한국을 찾는 기업이 늘고 있다. LG전자가 지분을 투자한 미국 서비스로봇 개발업체 베어로보틱스는 지난해 상반기 아시아 생산 거점으로 한국을 선택했다. 당초 한국 외에 중국을 포함한 아시아 지역을 함께 물색했지만 미·중 갈등, 연관 산업 인프라 구축 여부 등을 고려해 한국으로 정했다. 베어로보틱스는 향후 연구개발(R&D) 센터 설립, 보안 및 감시 로봇 분야로 사업 확대를 검토 중이다.   지난 2022년 세계 최대 국제 화물 항공사 미국 아틀라스항공은 홍콩 대신 인천공항에 직영 정비소를 세웠다. 신종 코로나 바이러스 감염증(코로나19) 사태 이후 중국의 봉쇄 정책 등으로 정비 물량의 절반 이상을 맡아온 홍콩에서 거듭 차질이 생긴 탓이다. 인천공항의 물동량 수준이나 정비 기술에 대한 내부 만족도도 높았던 것으로 알려졌다.   콘텐츠, 미술 등 문화 산업에서도 한국의 입지가 부각되고 있다. 넷플릭스 특수효과 제작 자회사 스캔라인 VFX(현 아이라인스튜디오)는 아시아 첫 오피스로 한국을 택했다. 넷플릭스는 홍콩에서 서비스를 하고 있으나 한국, 싱가포르, 태국 방콕 등과 달리 오피스는 운영하지 않는다.  2022년에는 세계적인 아트페어 프리즈가 아시아 첫 개최 지역으로 홍콩 대신 서울을 골라 화제가 되기도 했다. 그간 아시아 미술 패권은 홍콩이 주도했다.   홍콩은 2020년 국가보안법을 시행하는 등 정치 환경이 급변하고 있다. 이에 홍콩을 떠나는 외국 자본 규모는 점점 커지고 있다. 지난해 홍콩에서 기업공개(IPO)로 조달된 자금은 20여년 만에 가장 낮은 수준을 기록했다.  홍콩이 국가보안법을 시행한 이후 뉴욕타임스(NYT), 워싱턴포스트(WP)는 각각 디지털뉴스 본부와 글로벌 속보 거점을 홍콩에서 서울로 이전했다. NYT는 서울로 오기 전에 싱가포르, 태국 방콕, 일본 도쿄 등을 검토한 것으로 알려졌다.   정부, 지방자치단체, 경제단체 등은 홍콩에 있는 기업을 국내로 유치하기 위해 노력하고 있다. 글로벌 금융회사의 아·태 본부 유치를 추진하면서 핀테크, 바이오, 첨단산업 분야에서 유망한 스타트업의 한국 진출을 지원한다는 계획이다. 지난해 말 한국의 코트라(대한무역투자진흥공사) 같은 기능을 하는 홍콩 무역발전국(HKTDC)은 보고서를 통해 한국의 스타트업 생태계를 소개하며, 투자 교류 가능성을 제시하기도 했다.   출처: https://biz.chosun.com/industry/company/2024/03/24/E7LCGFRWKBFMFPV7O4XQQ6KKYA/  

2024.03.26

[AI Accelerate Summit 2024] ​AMCHAM presses Korea for forward-thinking AI regulations
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​AMCHAM presses Korea for forward-thinking AI regulations   BY PARK EUN-JEE, Korea JoongAng Daily - The American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM) brought AI and regulation specialists from major tech companies together with top policymakers to discuss how oversight of the relatively new technology should take shape in Korea in a forum on Thursday. The establishment of a legal framework for the use of generative AI has been at the forefront of policy debates around the world as the technology penetrates a broad range of areas. “We are witnessing a global embrace of generative AI and machine learning as businesses increasingly leverage these technologies to secure a prosperous future and stay competitive in the market,” said AMCHAM Chairman & CEO James Kim in his opening remarks for the AI Accelerate Summit 2024, which was held at the Conrad Seoul Hotel. “Given Korea’s expanding global influence, we believe that now is the best time for Korea to position itself as a regional innovation hub in the Asia Pacific,” he said. The government has allocated around 700 billion won ($528 million) to support the wider use of advanced AI systems. “To secure world-class AI technology and foster global talent, we will launch new international joint research and cooperation in the field of AI and data and spend a total of 700 billion won to expand the use of AI in everyday life, industrial sites and public administration,” said Yeol Um, the artificial intelligence-based policy officer of the Ministry of Science and ICT. Also present were AI and regulation specialists from IBM, LG CNS and GR Korea. Source:https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2024-03-21/business/tech/Amcham-presses-Korea-for-forwardthinking-AI-regulations/2008018

2024.03.22

[AI Accelerate Summit 2024] “정부가 AI 생태계 구축 이끌어야”…암참 ‘AI 서밋’ 개최
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“정부가 AI 생태계 구축 이끌어야”…암참 ‘AI 서밋’ 개최  세계일보 이동수 기자 - 주한미국상공회의소(암참)가 21일 오전 서울 여의도 콘래드 호텔에서 ‘성장하는 비즈니스를 위한 인공지능(AI)’ 을 주제로 ‘2024 암참 AI 서밋’을 개최했다.  이번 AI 서밋은 챗GPT 열풍에 힘입어 업무 생산성 제고와 편의 증진 등 혁신을 이끈 산업계별 AI 도입 사례와 국내외 AI 생태계 현황을 살펴보고 AI 산업 육성에 대한 정부 정책과 산학계의 역할을 탐색해보고자 마련됐다.  제임스 김 암참 회장 겸 대표이사는 개회사를 통해 “전 세계적으로 점점 더 많은 기업이 성장과 번영, 경쟁력 유지를 위해 생성형 AI 및 머신러닝 등의 테크놀로지를 도입하여 활용하고 있다”며 “이는 우리 산업계를 넘어 일상에 점점 더 깊이 침투하고 있다”고 진단했다. 이어 “대한민국의 영향력이 전 세계로 확장되고 있는 지금이 바로 한국이 아시아·태평양 지역의 혁신 허브로 자리매김할 최적기”라며 “장기적인 성공을 위해선 지속 가능한 규제 환경 조성과 정책적 지원이 필수적으로 수반돼야 한다”고 덧붙였다.  최근 암참은 윤석열 대통령에게 ‘한국의 글로벌 기업 아태지역 거점 유치전략 보고서’를 작성해 전달한 것으로 알려졌다. 보고서에선 한국이 글로벌 기업 유치에 어려움을 겪는 요인으로 △최고경영자(CEO)에 대한 형사책임 리스크 △디지털 규제 △낮은 노동 유연성 △높은 법인세 등을 꼽았다. 그러면서 한국이 ‘글로벌 스탠더드에 맞지 않는 규제를 정비하면 많은 글로벌 기업이 아태 본부를 한국으로 옮길 가능성이 크다고 진단했다.  엄열 과학기술정보통신부 인공지능기반정책관은 축사에서 AI 산업 전반에 걸친 정부 기조와 정책 타임테이블을 소개했다.  그는 “정부는 올해를 AI시대의 원년으로 삼고, 생성형 AI 등 고도화된 AI 기술이 가져올 새로운 기회를 포착해 국가 도약과 국민 삶의 질 향상에 기여하기 위한 다양한 정책을 추진할 계획”이라고 밝혔다.  이어 “세계 최고 수준 AI 기술력 확보와 글로벌 인재 양성을 위해 AI·데이터 분야 국제 공동연구와 협력을 새롭게 착수하고, 일상·산업현장·공공행정 등 분야에서 AI 활용을 확산하기 위해 총 7000억원의 예산을 투입할 예정”이라고 덧붙였다. 또 “AI 산업의 지속 가능한 발전은 AI 신뢰성과 윤리 확보 위에서 가능하다는 인식 하에 이를 균형적으로 달성할 AI법 제정도 지원할 계획”이라며 “특히 5월엔 서울에서 ‘AI 안전성 정상회의’를 개최해 글로벌 차원 규범 정립도 주도해 나갈 계획”이라고 밝혔다.  서밋 첫 세션으론 기조연설을 맡은 폴 버튼 IBM 아시아태평양 총괄사장이 “아시아 지역은 오래전부터 세계적으로 혁신의 중심에 있었다”며 “한국과 같은 역동적인 경제에서 한 단계 더 성장하고 번영하기 위해서는 정부와 조직이 책임감 있는 AI 개발과 활용을 국가 의제와 정책의 중심에 둬야 한다”고 주장했다.  또 “각 조직의 리더들은 AI의 개발과 라이프사이클에 참여할 책임이 있고, 조직 전체에서 체계적이며 신뢰할 수 있는 방식으로 AI를 구현하는 것은 각 조직의 리더에게 달려 있다”고 강조했다.  인베스트서울 구본희 대표는 ‘‘한국판 헤이스밸리’ 서울의 AI 육성 방향’을 주제로 기업 친화적인 환경, 인프라 등 실질적인 혜택을 예로 들며 AI 산업 육성을 위한 서울시의 준비된 매력을 알렸다.  이어진 산업계 발표 세션의 첫 번째 연사로 나선 임은영 LG CNS 생성형 AI 사업단장은 구글·마이크로소프트(MS)·아마존웹서비스(AWS) 등 글로벌 빅테크 기업과의 파트너십 등 LG CNS의 생성형 AI 도입 사례를, 박선정 김앤장 법률사무소 외국변호사는 ‘AI, 비즈니스와 법을 만나다’, 문주윤 GR 코리아 운영 총괄은 ‘한국의 AI 정책 현황 및 전망’을 주제로 발표를 이어갔다.  크리스토퍼 패딜라 IBM 정부 및 규제 총괄 부사장은 ‘글로벌 AI 시대, 어떻게 규제해야 할까’ 를 주제로 “한국 정부가 성공적인 AI 생태계를 구축하기 위해선 개발자와 사용자의 역할 차이를 정책에 반영해 그에 따른 의무를 부여하고, AI의 기술 자체보다 AI를 활용하는 상황에 따라 규제하도록 하는 것이 필요하다”고 말했다.  발표 뒤엔 암참의 ICT 분과위원회 공동위원장을 맡은 법무법인 율촌 김선희 변호사를 좌장으로 패널 토론이 이어졌다.  남철기 과학기술정보통신부 인공지능기반정책과장, 윌리엄 콥 주한미국대사관 경제부공사참사관, 바락 샤인 주한이스라엘대사관 공관차석, 임 단장, 홍기범 GR 코리아 자문위원, 김혜선 HP 정부·법무협력 이사가 패널로 참여해 기업들의 주도적 노력과 AI 인프라 구축, 정부의 산업 육성 패키지, 규제 완화 등 정책적 지원이 필요하다고 입을 모았다.  출처: https://www.segye.com/newsView/20240322500332

2024.03.22

[AMCHAM BOG Letter to President Yoon] ​AMCHAM urges Yoon to ease strict workplace safety act to attr…
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​AMCHAM urges Yoon to ease strict workplace safety act to attract foreign firms US business lobby sees Korea's potential as Asia-Pacific business hub once regulations are eased   By Park Jae-hyuk, The Korea Times - The American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM) requested President Yoon Suk Yeol to ease certain regulations that are unique to Korea, in order to convince multinational companies to relocate their Asia-Pacific headquarters to Seoul from Hong Kong and mainland China in light of growing geopolitical risks, the U.S. business lobby said Tuesday. In particular, the organization highlighted concerns regarding the Serious Accidents Punishment Act (SAPA), which it claims has elevated risks for CEOs by imposing severe penalties on top corporate officials, including imprisonment or hefty fines, for fatal industrial accidents, surpassing penalties enforced in Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore. AMCHAM conveyed these requests through a letter and a recent report sent to the president. Notably, this marks the first instance of the business lobby, representing U.S. companies in Korea, directly addressing Yoon since the organization formally presented a comprehensive set of policy recommendations to him in April 2022, when he was president-elect. During a luncheon held last month between Yoon and foreign business leaders, AMCHAM Chairman James Kim highlighted to the president that Korea's stringent regulations constrain the nation's ability to establish itself as a prominent business hub for high-tech industries. "CEO risks and digital economy-related challenges arise from Korea-specific regulations," the AMCHAM chairman told The Korea Times. "For example, the SAPA imposes penalties on CEOs for serious industrial accidents, surpassing those in other countries." Under SAPA, which came into effect in January 2022 and was extended to encompass small companies this year, CEOs can potentially face up to one year in prison or a maximum fine of 1 billion won ($746,000) in the event of major on-the-job accidents including deaths. AMCHAM also emphasized that Korea should reform its rigid labor laws, cloud service restrictions and unpredictable tax systems, claiming that those regulations are not in line with global standards and hinder the country's competitiveness. However, the chamber did not complain about the Fair Trade Commission’s plan to introduce a law to predesignate market-dominant online platforms to prevent unfair practices, despite concerns among U.S. tech giants about the potential to inadvertently favor Chinese late movers such as AliExpress and Temu. In a detailed report attached to the letter, AMCHAM suggested that the government develop a structured program with targeted incentives to attract foreign investments. Housing and education assistance, as well as rental space subsidies, were mentioned as necessary measures to make Korea a more attractive destination for global enterprises. For expatriates in Korea, the chamber also asked for a seamless mobile phone setup process and simplified procedures for opening bank accounts and obtaining credit cards. In addition, the government was urged to promote its regional headquarters program by collaborating with relevant institutions, municipalities and business community. AMCHAM underscored the significant potential for Korea to emerge as the premier commercial hub in the region citing a survey by the business lobby that showed the Asian country ranked as the second-most-preferred destination for the APAC headquarters after Singapore for the third consecutive year. “As Korea continues to position itself as a leading business hub in the APAC region, collaboration between government entities, local stakeholders, and international businesses will be essential,” the AMCHAM chairman said. “By embracing regulatory reforms and proactive promotion strategies, Korea can solidify its status as a preferred destination for multinational companies seeking to establish their presence in the region.” The chairman also vowed to help Korea become the number one destination for regional headquarters, adding that he looks forward to working more closely with both the U.S. and the Korean governments for their continued economic growth and prosperity. He is reportedly in talks with government officials to deliver the chamber's proposals to the presidential office in person. AMCHAM said it will continue to engage the government to discuss proposals further, including talks with the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. Source: https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/tech/2024/03/129_370937.html 

2024.03.22

[AMCHAM BOG Letter to President Yoon] 암참 “기업 脫중국, 한국엔 절호의 기회”...尹에 유치전략 전달
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암참 “기업 脫중국, 한국엔 절호의 기회”...尹에 유치전략 전달 조선일보 이정구 기자 - 한국에서 활동하는 미국 기업 약 800사가 가입해 있는 암참(AMCHAM·주한미국상공회의소)이 ‘미·중 갈등 여파로 중국을 떠나는 이른바 ‘탈중국’ 기업을 한국에 유치할 수 있는 절호의 기회’라며 ‘이를 위해 중대재해처벌법·주52시간 근무제 등 과도한 규제를 혁신해야 한다’는 취지의 보고서를 윤석열 대통령에게 전달했다. 암참이 한국에 제도 개선을 촉구하는 서한을 전달한 적은 있으나, 각종 데이터와 분석 내용을 담은 보고서 형식의 문건을 대통령에게 전달한 것은 이번이 처음이다.   암참은 이 같은 내용을 담은 32쪽 분량 ‘한국의 글로벌 기업 아태 지역 거점 유치 전략 보고서’를 이달 초 대통령실에 전달했다고 18일 밝혔다. 이번 보고서에는 암참 이사진(30명)이 보고서 내용에 동의한다는 의미로 직접 서명도 했다. 암참은 “예전엔 주로 관련 정부 부처에 정책 제언(레터)을 했으나, 이번엔 대통령실에 제언을 뒷받침할 수 있는 내용을 담은 보고서까지 함께 처음으로 전달했다”고 말했다. 암참은 2022년 4월에 윤석열 당시 대통령 당선인에게 ‘외국인 투자 확대를 위한 규제 혁신’ 관련 정책 제언을 전달한 적이 있다.   암참 보고서는 코로나 팬데믹 봉쇄와 미·중 갈등으로 촉발된 글로벌 기업의 탈(脫)중국 현상이 한국에 기회가 될 수 있다는 점에 주목했다. 보고서는 “(중국의) 지정학적 우려와 경제적 불확실성으로 인해 아태본부 소재국으로서 홍콩과 중국에 대한 선호도가 하락했다”며 “한국은 탄탄한 인프라, 상당 규모의 소비시장에 대한 전략적이고 지리적인 인접성, 확고히 구축된 공급망 인프라를 갖추고 있어 다국적기업에 (아태본부) 최적의 대상지로 부상했다”고 평가했다. 최근 암참이 회원사를 상대로 ‘아태 본부를 두고 싶은 국가’를 조사한 결과에서도, 한국은 싱가포르에 이어 2위에 올랐다.   다만, 암참은 한국이 지리적 장점, 우수한 인프라에도 ‘규제’ 때문에 해외 기업 유치에 어려움을 겪는다고 진단했다. 보고서는 우선 CEO(최고경영자)에 대한 형사책임 리스크를 꼽았다. 암참은 중대재해처벌법에 대해 “일본, 홍콩, 싱가포르 등 국가보다 훨씬 무거운 징역형 또는 벌금형을 부과하고 있다”며 “CEO의 위험을 가중시킨다”고 했다. 또, ‘디지털 경제’ 분야에서도 “대한민국 클라우드 시장은 망 분리, 클라우드 보안 인증 프로그램, 보안 평가 제도 등의 규제로 인해 글로벌 환경과 완전히 분리돼 인공지능(AI)을 비롯한 혁신 기술의 국내 도입에 상당한 어려움을 겪고 있다”고 우려했다. 보고서에 따르면, 채용·해고 유연성과 근로시간 규제 등을 비교한 국가별 노동정책 및 유연성 평가에서도 한국은 141국 중 97위로, 경쟁국 싱가포르(1위), 일본(11위), 홍콩(19위) 대비 크게 뒤처졌다.   암참 관계자는 “과도한 비정기 세무조사, 융통성 없는 주 52시간 근무제 등 글로벌 스탠더드에 맞지 않는 규제만 풀어도 글로벌 기업이 아시아·태평양 본부를 한국으로 옮길 가능성이 크다는 의미를 담은 보고서”라고 말했다.   출처:https://www.chosun.com/economy/industry-company/2024/03/18/SBJFUB2KTZD4VKPP3MVGZ63J4A/?utm_source=naver&;utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=naver-news

2024.03.22

[Korea as an APAC RHQ Report] "한국만의 과도한 규제 풀면 외국 기업 유치 싱가포르 넘는다"
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"한국만의 과도한 규제 풀면 외국 기업 유치 싱가포르 넘는다"  한국경제 김우섭/김형규/성상훈 기자 - 애플, 아마존, 구글, 마이크로소프트…. 최근 5년 동안 중국에서 사업을 철수했거나 생산 기지를 옮긴 미국 기업이다. 저렴한 노동력과 풍부한 내수시장을 보고 진출했지만, 중국 정부의 자국 우선주의에 미·중 갈등이 겹치면서 더 이상 버티기 힘든 상황이 됐다.  제임스 김 주한미국상공회의소(암참) 회장은 18일 한국경제신문과의 인터뷰에서 “예측 가능성은 글로벌 기업이 가장 중요하게 생각하는 핵심 요소”라며 “‘차이나 엑소더스’가 현실화하면서 한국으로 아시아·태평양 본부를 옮기려는 기업들의 문의가 쏟아지고 있다”고 말했다. 암참이 1953년 설립 후 처음으로 글로벌 기업 유치에 대한 보고서를 낸 이유가 여기에 있다. 김 회장은 “한국이 아시아의 비즈니스 허브가 될 수 있는 마지막 기회가 왔는데 그냥 지켜볼 수는 없었다”고 말했다.   “한국에 찾아온 마지막 기회” 암참이 내놓은 ‘한국의 글로벌 기업 아태지역 거점 유치 전략 보고서’는 미·중 갈등과 코로나19 봉쇄 등으로 시작된 기업의 탈중국 현상에 주목했다. 글로벌 기업들이 중국을 떠나는 과정에서 한국과 싱가포르, 일본 등이 대안으로 떠올랐기 때문이다. 한국은 지리적으로 중국과 가장 가까운 데다 전력·정보기술(IT) 등 산업 인프라가 뛰어나 차이나 엑소더스의 최대 수혜자가 될 수 있다는 게 암참의 분석이다. 보고서는 “아시아 본부가 들어서면 공장 등 추가 투자를 그 지역에 집행할 가능성이 커진다”고 분석했다.   보고서는 싱가포르와 한국의 기업 유치 성과도 비교했다. 싱가포르에 아태 본부를 둔 기업은 5000개에 달하지만 한국은 100개도 안 된다. 수많은 기업이 떠난 홍콩(1400여 개)에도 못 미친다.   암참은 뛰어난 인프라와 생활 여건에도 한국이 해외 기업 유치에 어려움을 겪는 이유로 ‘규제’를 꼽았다. 보고서는 최고경영자(CEO)에 대한 형사책임 리스크를 첫손에 꼽았다. 암참은 중대재해처벌법에 대해 “일본 홍콩 싱가포르 등과 비교해 훨씬 무거운 징역형 또는 벌금형을 부과하고 있다”며 “(향후 본사에서 중요한 역할을 맡을) 훌륭한 CEO들이 한국행(行)을 꺼리는 이유”라고 했다. 보고서는 “고의로 범죄행위에 가담한 경우에 한해 책임을 부과할 필요가 있다”고 제언했다.   디지털 규제도 발목 보고서는 해외 IT 기업 진출의 발목을 잡는 디지털 규제에 대해서도 언급했다. 클라우드와 관련한 규제 정도를 보여주는 ‘글로벌 클라우드 데코시스템 지수’에서 한국은 7.7점으로 중국(6.5점)에 이어 ‘밑에서 2위’였다. 홍콩(8.6점), 일본(8.7점), 싱가포르(8.8점)보다 크게 낮은 수치다. 보고서는 “한국에선 자체 데이터센터를 보유하지 않으면 정부가 주도하는 클라우드 서비스에 뛰어들기 힘들다”며 “데이터센터 보유 여부와 관계없이 입찰이 가능한 싱가포르 등과 비교된다”고 설명했다.   낮은 노동 유연성과 주 52시간 근로제 역시 걸림돌이라고 지적했다. 암참은 “싱가포르 등은 경영 상황에 따라 인력을 채용하거나 정리해고하는 게 한국보다 훨씬 쉽다”며 “한국은 한 번 고용하면 해고가 어려워 경영 상황에 따라 인력을 늘리고 줄이기가 너무 힘들다”고 했다.   법인세를 낮춰야 한다는 내용도 보고서에 담겼다. 한국의 법인세 최고세율은 24%로 17%인 싱가포르, 16.5%인 홍콩보다 훨씬 높다. 싱가포르가 아시아 본부를 둔 기업에 법인세를 5~10% 수준으로 깎아주는 걸 감안하면 격차는 더 벌어진다. 태국과 말레이시아도 아시아 본부를 둔 기업에 한해 법인세를 5~10%포인트씩 낮춰준다.   보고서는 “인건비와 지대, 규제·노동 여건 등을 고려하면 한국의 투자 매력도가 높은 편은 아니다”며 “아시아 본부를 두는 기업에 한해 인센티브를 줄 필요가 있다”고 강조했다.   보고서에 부정적인 내용만 담긴 건 아니다. 아시아 허브 역할을 하고 있는 싱가포르를 떠나려는 글로벌 기업이 많다는 건 한국에 더할 나위 없는 기회다. 김 회장은 “싱가포르 진출 기업 중 상당수가 높은 인건비와 물가 등으로 어려움을 겪고 있다”며 “싱가포르가 포화상태에 놓여 있다는 분석이 많다”고 말했다.   출처: https://www.hankyung.com/article/2024031888491

2024.03.22

[Special Luncheon with NTS Commissioner] AMCHAM presses national tax agency for quicker policy talks

AMCHAM presses national tax agency for quicker policy talks   BY LEE JAE-LIM, Korea JoongAng Daily - The American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM) on Monday demanded that Korea’s tax agency expand incentives to foreign countries and expedite talks on the advance pricing agreement (APA) system to attract more foreign investments. The APA is an agreement between the tax authorities and multinational companies to predetermine transfer pricing policies between corporate Korean headquarters and regional branches to prevent future tax disputes. “I believe that it is the National Tax Service’s duty to speed up the negotiation process on APA system to curb unnecessary delays or conflicts,” said the National Tax Service (NTS) Commissioner Kim Chang-ki said at an event hosted by Amcham Korea at the Grand Hyatt Seoul in central Seoul. “The agency has expanded its workforce related to the matter, but please understand that it takes time for Korea and related countries to settle on the details.” Kim promised that “nondiscriminatory” tax measures will be applied to Korean and foreign companies, recognizing the contribution of foreign firms to record-high foreign direct investment of $32.7 billion injected into Korea last year. The U.S. took up the highest proportion with 18.7 percent. However, the commissioner requested foreign companies’ cooperation with the agency’s tax audits, which take place on a regular basis unlike in other countries like Japan or the U.S. “The NTS is trying to enhance communications in investigations, but domestic procedures are different compared to Japan or the U.S.,” he said. “NTS has set a timeline of two to three months to investigate tax-related matters for all companies, whereas for other national tax authorities, there is no designated time period. Korean customs have set this timeline to lessen interference or meddling in corporations, which is why our personnel may demand the needed data from foreign companies to meet our deadline. I believe that this may have been interpreted by multinational companies as pressure from the Korean tax agency." “I trust that this meeting will serve as a catalyst for deepening the collaborative ties between the NTS and foreign companies,” Kim added. “The NTS remains committed to ongoing dialogue with the foreign business community, including U.S. firms operating in Korea, and diligently incorporating their on-the-ground feedback into our tax policies.” Source:https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2024-03-11/business/industry/Amcham-presses-national-tax-agency-for-quicker-policy-talks/1999434

2024.03.11