South Korea: New law requires alternative payment systems in app stores

South Korea: New law requires alternative payment systems in app stores

Tokyo, 9/18/2021

Epic has asked Apple to reinstate its Fortnite developer account in South Korea. In August, South Korea passed a law forcing Apple and Google to allow alternative payment systems in their app stores.

Google and Apple are forcing developers to use their payment systems for in-app purchases, which gives them a 30% share of the revenue. Apple and Google face fines of up to 3% of their revenue if they do not comply with the new law.

Whether Apple will agree to Epic’s request is unclear. Apple kicked Fortnite out of its App Store in August 2020 after Epic introduced a direct payment system to bypass Apple’s own. Epic sued Apple in August 2020, and the case went to trial in May. The verdict is still pending.