Hansanghyuk "Not Saying KBS License Fee Will Be Raised Immediately" (Comprehensive)

5th Term Korea Communications Commission Vision Announcement
KBS License Fee Improvement
Key Points of Media Regulation Reform

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] On the 6th, the Korea Communications Commission (KCC) announced the future vision of the 5th KCC, including the reform of the subscription fee system.

The KCC stated that it will start with improving the public broadcasting subscription fee system as a policy task. However, KCC Chairman Han Sang-hyuk mentioned that this does not imply an increase in KBS subscription fees, but rather refers to accounting separation of subscription fees and the formation of a subscription fee committee.

Regarding broadcasting policy, the commission said it will adopt a 'negative' approach that minimizes regulation. To revitalize the broadcasting market, it plans to reform advertising and programming regulations and enhance the autonomy of private broadcasters. In the case of the Device Distribution Act, it aims to improve disclosed subsidies to make the retail price transparent and raise the subsidy level to meet user expectations.

Below is a Q&A session conducted after the policy task announcement.

- Is the restructuring of the public broadcasting funding structure in the context of increasing KBS subscription fees?

▲ Fundamentally, we believe it is time to consider the funding structure issue. It is not something that should be immediately linked to a subscription fee increase. The tasks we are currently pursuing include accounting separation and the formation of a subscription fee committee. Through such processes, public consensus on restructuring the funding structure must be achieved first.

- Does this mean increasing the disclosed subsidies related to the Device Distribution Act?

▲ We will disclose specific plans as soon as they are finalized.

- What does fundamental media system reform mean?

▲ Previously, licenses were granted with public service obligations imposed on broadcasters, but as profitability from monopolistic positions disappears, issues arise that require changes in funding and regulation. We believe improvements reflecting public service obligations and the realities of the media industry are necessary.

- What are the differences from the 4th term policy tasks?

▲ We expect to evaluate the 4th term when announcing the New Year work plan this year. The major direction is a paradigm shift. While the 4th term KCC focused on correcting and fixing previous problems, the 5th term KCC will build on those achievements to introduce and implement new policies. It would be good to see media system reform not as simply fixing one thing but as reforming the entire media landscape.

- What is the top policy priority in this vision announcement?

▲ We believe that the public service obligation of the media must not be neglected. Along with that, revitalizing the media industry, whose growth engine is fading, must go hand in hand. These two should be the core focus.

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