Broadcasting, Media and Communications Committee in Full Operation for Two Months: 86 Agenda Items Including Broadcaster License Renewals Processed

Key Policy Achievements Reported at State Council Meeting
Long-Delayed Broadcast License Renewals Completed
"Striving for Harmony Between Public Value and Industrial Competitiveness"

The Broadcasting, Media and Communications Committee announced at the State Council meeting on the 2nd that it had reported on key policy achievements in the broadcasting, media, and communications sectors, held a total of 14 plenary sessions over the past two months, and processed 86 agenda items.

Kim Jongchol, Chairman of the Broadcasting, Media and Communications Committee, is reporting on the achievements of ministries during the first anniversary of the government at the State Council meeting and emergency economic inspection meeting presided over by President Lee Jae-myung at the Blue House on the 2nd. Photo by Yonhap News

The Broadcasting, Media and Communications Committee, which was launched in October last year, began full-scale operations in April this year after meeting the required quorum. Since then, it has focused on addressing major pending issues, such as the long-delayed license renewal reviews for broadcasting stations.

First, the committee completed the license renewals for a total of 152 broadcasters, including 16 terrestrial broadcasters and 2 pay-TV operators. In this context, it also promoted an amendment to the Broadcasting Act, which stipulates that if license renewals or re-approvals are not granted within the validity period for reasons not attributable to the broadcaster, such as administrative gaps, the existing license will be considered valid. This measure is intended to ensure the stable operation of broadcasters and protect viewers' rights.

In addition, the committee introduced a new requirement for sign language broadcasts on Korea Broadcasting System (KBS) emergency broadcasts and initiated the review process for the approval of YTN's largest shareholder change. In the communications sector, the enforcement decree of the Telecommunications Business Act was revised to prohibit discriminatory device subsidies based on region of residence or age. KT was fined for false notification related to the advance reservation of the 'Galaxy S25' device.

To restore the public interest and independence of broadcasting, institutional reforms were also implemented. The enforcement decrees and regulations necessary for the implementation of the so-called "three broadcasting laws," including the revised Broadcasting Act, Broadcasting Culture Promotion Foundation Act, and Korea Educational Broadcasting System Act, were established, and organizations to recommend board members for public broadcasters were designated. To ensure the public's universal viewing rights, the committee facilitated a joint broadcast between terrestrial and pay-TV operators for the upcoming North and Central America World Cup negotiations scheduled for this month.

Furthermore, the committee stated that it is working to strengthen the response system for false and manipulated information, enhance regulations against illegal spam, improve home shopping regulations, and promote the establishment of the Korea Broadcasting Media and Communications Promotion Agency to unify the work related to the advancement of broadcasting and media.

Kim Jongchul, Chairman of the Broadcasting, Media and Communications Committee, stated, "We have focused our policy capabilities on restoring the public interest of broadcasting and establishing order in digital media," adding, "We will continue to strive to deliver tangible outcomes for the public and create an environment in broadcasting, media, and communications where public value and industrial competitiveness are in harmony."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.