[Editorial] Resolve the Overdependence on Windows

The American company Microsoft, which dominates the world computer market with its "Windows" operating system, has commented on the possibility it might withdraw from the Korean market because of moves by the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) to take action against it. Microsoft, in a report to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, said that if the Korean FTC demands that Microsoft remove its Windows media technology from its operating system or that it redesign for the Korean market, it might take it off the market in Korea or postpone the marketing of new versions.

The report is intended to inform investors of future risk factors, so cannot be interpreted to mean that Microsoft is really examining the idea of taking Windows off the market. Microsoft Korea, too, says that it has never considered withdrawing its operating system from Korea. The fact that the possibility of withdrawing from the Korean market that was mentioned in the same context as legal problems with the European Union is something that should not be taken lightly.

It is a roundabout application of pressure when Microsoft makes that kind of comment at a time when the FTC is considering whether to take action against it for including Media Player in its operating system. It is of course possible that even if measures are taken Microsoft might still not leave the Korean market. It knows all too well that just mentioning the possibility is a way of pressuring Korea, because the country is so highly dependent on Windows. Internet portral sites and other internet companies rely on Microsoft technology, and you cannot use "e-government" services unless you use Internet Explorer. It would have to be bad for the director of the National Cyber Security Center to ask Microsoft to continue making patches for Windows 98. Korea will be trapped if it keeps on using the same programs indiscriminately just because using them is easy."

It would never be too late for the government to work hard at making the country less dependent on Microsoft. A situation could eventually unfold in which a single American company controls the whole of government policy and the information technology industry. The industry has to actively cooperate at formulating a response.

The Hankyoreh, 29 October 2005.

[Translations by Seoul Selection]