<기사제목>Broadcasting Commission Chairman: "Strict Investigation of Illegal Suspicions Against Overseas Operators... Ensuring Regulatory Fairness with Domestic Cases"

[Asia Economy Reporter Joselgina Cho] Han Sang-hyuk, Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, stated on the 28th, "We will significantly improve outdated regulations in the broadcasting sector," and added, "We will strictly investigate and inspect illegal allegations against overseas operators to ensure regulatory fairness with domestic operators."

Chairman Han made these remarks while attending the first government briefing held by the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee that morning. He first explained, "To build a vibrant broadcasting and communications ecosystem, we aim to significantly improve outdated regulations in the broadcasting sector such as advertising, sponsorship, and programming regulations," and added, "We will prepare future-oriented broadcasting regulatory systems in anticipation of a converged environment."

He also emphasized, "We will expand support for broadcasting programs that enhance cultural diversity and public interest, and ensure that conditions related to content investment, re-licensing, and re-approval are properly implemented," and stated, "We will strictly investigate and inspect illegal allegations against overseas operators to maintain regulatory fairness with domestic operators."

Chairman Han identified key tasks for creating a trustworthy broadcasting environment, including the review of broadcasting re-licensing and re-approval, and strengthening disaster broadcasting. He said, "We recently conducted the re-approval review of general programming channels in accordance with laws and principles," and added, "In the second half of the year, we will faithfully fulfill our given authority and responsibilities by strictly conducting re-licensing and re-approval reviews for terrestrial and other general programming channels." He further noted, "We have expanded disaster broadcasting such as sign language and foreign language subtitles for disaster-vulnerable groups, and will strengthen evaluations of disaster broadcasting in broadcaster re-licensing and assessments." In particular, he announced plans to improve disaster broadcasting during infectious disease situations based on experiences from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Alongside this, Chairman Han raised his voice on responding to digital sex crimes to strengthen the rights and interests of broadcasting and communications users in the AI era. He explained, "We review digital sex crime videos within 24 hours to promptly block them and operate a joint government-wide database to identify related videos," and added, "We will steadily proceed with follow-up legislation on the amended Telecommunications Business Act and Information and Communications Network Act to prevent the distribution of illegal filming and child and youth sexual exploitation materials on the internet."

Additionally, centered on a private consultative body established in early January, practical measures for user protection will be prepared, and proactive participation models will be created by drafting a viewer rights declaration and designating a Viewer’s Day.

Chairman Han said, "With the activation of online education and video conferencing due to COVID-19, digital media literacy has become essential," and added, "We will support marginalized groups so that everyone can enjoy broadcasting and communications services without discrimination in the digital era, and will supplement shortcomings so that the public can feel the improvements." Through this, he plans to respond to the post-COVID era characterized by rapidly advancing non-face-to-face and digital transformation.

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