"New Breakthrough Needed" Official Launch of the 'Digital Media Content Promotion Forum'

[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgina Jo] A policy forum seeking strategies for the development of the domestic digital media content industry has officially launched.

The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on the 26th that the 'Digital Media Content Promotion Forum,' co-sponsored with the Korea Communications Commission, held its launch ceremony and first meeting at the Federation of Korean Industries Building in Seoul.

The forum was formed with the purpose of bringing together associations and organizations representing the broadcasting, media, and content industries, along with experts from various academic fields, to discuss the development and innovation of the domestic digital media ecosystem and propose policies.

Recently, media consumption behavior has rapidly shifted from traditional media such as newspapers and TV to mobile and online video services (OTT), creating a need for new breakthroughs. In the growing OTT sector, domestic OTT services are lagging behind overseas OTTs like Netflix in subscriber growth. Although large-scale investments by foreign companies have activated domestic content production and overseas expansion, concerns remain about polarization within the content ecosystem and dependence on foreign OTT platforms.

The forum includes representatives from major associations and businesses covering all areas of broadcasting and media, such as terrestrial broadcasting, paid broadcasting (IPTV, cable TV operators (SO), satellite), general broadcasting channels, home shopping channels, OTT, smart media, one-person media, drama production companies, and electronics manufacturers. Additionally, major academic societies, professional organizations, academia, the legal sector, and promotion agencies in broadcasting, media, and technology fields are participating. The total size is about 60 members.

The Korea Communications Agency, Korea Radio Promotion Association, and Korea Broadcast Advertising Corporation jointly serve as the main organizations providing practical support for the forum's activities.

Going forward, the forum will select and discuss agenda items by sector through regular meetings, including activation of broadcasting and media platforms, content promotion, fostering new digital media industries, and discovering future growth engines. The discussion outcomes will be proposed and utilized as policy materials for establishing promotion policies and discovering new businesses.

At the first meeting, Professor Sungchul Kim of Korea University’s Department of Media presented on the topic "Expansion and Convergence of the Digital Media Content Industry in the Era of Media Transformation." Attendees shared trends in the domestic and international media content markets, which are being reorganized around OTT due to digital transformation, and reached a consensus that cooperation across the entire industrial ecosystem is crucial for the competitiveness of Korea’s media content industry.

Minister Kiyoung Choi of the Ministry of Science and ICT stated, "Please share valuable opinions on the development direction of the digital media ecosystem through the forum and propose concrete strategies and measures to drive convergence and innovation in related industries." Vice Chairman Hyun Kim of the Korea Communications Commission urged, "I ask that this forum serve as a collective intelligence platform where members of the broadcasting and media ecosystem gather wisdom and communicate, playing a leading role in helping our broadcasting and media industry, which faces significant challenges, take a leap forward."

Wonwook Lee, Chair of the National Assembly’s Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee, said, "The forum will lead the development direction of the industry in the new media era, and through this, I will support institutional improvements at the National Assembly level so that our media sector can secure competitiveness in the global market."

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