Sang-Hyuk Han: "We Will Reexamine Media Funding Structures Including Subscription Fees" (Comprehensive)

Hansanghyuk, the nominee for Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, appeared at the confirmation hearing for the Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission held by the National Assembly's Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee on the 20th, responding to questions from lawmakers. Photo by Yoon Dongju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] Han Sang-hyuk, Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission (photo), stated, "We will fundamentally reconsider the overall funding structure of the media, including subscription fees, broadcasting advertisements, and the Broadcasting and Communications Development Fund, along with the public responsibility of the media."

On the 3rd, Chairman Han said in his inaugural speech after reappointment, "The core of the media industry's competitiveness is content competitiveness. We must strengthen content competitiveness." He added, "We will reform policies and systems so that the public can feel the universal service value of public broadcasting and terrestrial broadcasting," and promised, "We will pursue a balanced approach between policies to revitalize new media such as online video services (OTT) and policies to strengthen the competitiveness of existing media to create a media ecosystem of coexistence and cooperation." He explained that "to achieve fundamental reform, it is most important to gain public consensus," and said he would listen to public opinions through various channels such as the Media Innovation Organization.

He also expressed his intention to strengthen media welfare and digital inclusion policies in preparation for a non-face-to-face digital society. The Korea Communications Commission plans to improve the media usage environment for marginalized and information-vulnerable groups by distributing TVs for the hearing and visually impaired and developing subtitle and sign language conversion services using artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Additionally, support will be strengthened to ensure no areas are left behind in remote education. Chairman Han said, "We will create a safe user environment and user-centered policies suitable for the AI era."

Regarding this, he stated, "Having deeply felt how serious the damage caused by fake news was during the COVID-19 disaster situation, we will improve the fake news response system," and added, "We will actively support fact-checking and self-regulation in the private sector and help users develop their own information discernment abilities." He also emphasized, "We will thoroughly respond to eradicate the distribution of illegal and harmful information, including digital sex crimes."

On laws and systems related to the distribution of mobile communication devices, he said, "We will newly design them in a way that increases user welfare by comprehensively considering various problems that have appeared in the market." He also addressed domestic and international reverse discrimination issues. Chairman Han said, "The competitiveness of the broadcasting and communications industry and the rights and interests of users must be based on a fair competitive market environment," and added, "We will improve laws and systems and secure enforcement and effectiveness so that domestic companies are not unreasonably discriminated against compared to foreign companies and so that the public can use various services from domestic and foreign providers without inconvenience."

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