'Controversy over Delayed Launch' Korea Communications Standards Commission to "Improve Laws to Prevent Vacancy Periods for Commissioners"

Announcement of Vision and Policy Tasks for the 5th Committee

Jeong Yeon-ju, Chairperson of the 5th Broadcasting and Communications Review Committee. Photo by Bangtongsimwi

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] The Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC) is pushing for legal improvements to prevent vacancies among commissioners, aiming to eradicate the recurring issue of 'delayed launches' that occur every time the commission is inaugurated. The scope of urgent electronic reviews will be expanded to include illegal gambling and drug-related information, and international cooperation will be strengthened to prevent the redistribution of digital sex crimes.

The 5th KCSC presented the vision of the 5th commission on the 14th as "values and standards centered on viewers and users," outlining policy directions accordingly. The main policy tasks include ▲strengthening the status as an independent private review body ▲enhancing the reliability and effectiveness of reviews ▲protecting users and ensuring diversity.

First, to strengthen its status as an independent private review body, the commission plans to reinforce its independence and neutrality. In line with this, legal improvements will be pursued to prevent commissioner vacancies. The formation of the 5th commission was delayed for over six months due to disagreements between ruling and opposition parties over commissioner appointments. The accumulated pending broadcasting and telecommunications review cases during the vacancy period totaled 168,389. In particular, digital sex crimes were pointed out as a problem requiring swift response, as early efforts to prevent redistribution are crucial.

To enhance the reliability and effectiveness of reviews, the commission plans to expand the scope of urgent electronic reviews to include illegal gambling and drug-related information. A new "International Cooperation Team" will be established to expand collaboration with global platform operators. To protect users and secure diversity, reviews related to discrimination, derogation, and hate against socially vulnerable groups and minorities will be strengthened, and technological support to prevent the redistribution of illegal recordings will be advanced.

Jung Yeon-joo, chairperson of the KCSC, said, "While content is important, the democratic procedures and discussion processes through which it is derived are even more valuable," adding, "We will ensure that information delivered through broadcasting and telecommunications is accurate, fair, and beneficial and healthy for our community."

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