Asian Tech Press (SEP 29) -- South Korean regulators have asked Apple and Google to submit compliance plans by mid-October to comply with a new law prohibiting major app store operators from forcing software developers to use their payment systems.

On Aug. 31, the South Korean parliament passed an amendment called the Telecommunications Business Act that explicitly prohibits major app store operators, such as Google and Apple, from forcing software developers to use their payment systems.

Most of the new law has come into effect in mid-September, and the Korea Communications Commission will soon come up with a specific implementation plan based on the amendments to the act. Regulators say this implementation plan is expected to be drafted in six months or less.

As the bill was introduced, Apple responded that the legislation would pose risks to users, and user trust in App Store purchases would be eroded, thus affecting developer interests. Google said it would consider complying with the law while maintaining a model that could support a high-quality operating system and app store.