Introduction

The newly concluded U.S.–Korea trade and investment agreement represents a significant
evolution in the architecture of modern trade policy, particularly in the treatment of digital
platforms and competition enforcement. For the first time in any bilateral or regional trade
framework, Korea has committed to address online platform regulation as a non-tariff barrier
requiring resolution. The explicit recognition that digital regulatory measures may impede cross
border trade marks an important step forward in aligning Korea’s policy environment with global
best practices and an innovation focused growth policy.