Democratic Party: "Separate Collection of TV License Fees, Broadcasting Takeover by Force Ignoring Procedures, Content, and Format"

Minjadang Science and Technology Committee Members Issue Statement Opposing Enforcement Decree Amendment

The Democratic Party of Korea opposed the revision of the enforcement decree to separately collect TV license fees and demanded a halt to the revision.

Members of the Democratic Party's Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee issued a statement on the 5th, saying, "The Korea Communications Commission is forcibly pushing the separate collection of TV license fees through the revision of the enforcement decree of the Broadcasting Act," and added, "The procedure, content, and form are all unreasonable and merely a reckless attempt to seize control of broadcasting. The KCC must immediately stop the hasty revision of the enforcement decree and illegal broadcasting control."

The KCC plans to hold a plenary meeting on the same day to approve the amendment to the enforcement decree of the Broadcasting Act, which stipulates that the broadcasting license fees for KBS and EBS will be collected separately from the electricity bill. Once approved, the enforcement decree is expected to be implemented in mid-month after approval by the Vice Ministers' Meeting, the Cabinet Meeting, and the President's sanction.

Regarding this enforcement decree revision, Democratic Party lawmakers pointed out, "During the ten-day legislative notice period, nearly 5,000 public opinions were submitted, about 90% of which opposed the separate collection of license fees, but the KCC ignored all of them."

Kim Ui-cheol, KBS President, is holding a press conference on the morning of the 8th at the KBS Art Hall in Yeouido, Seoul, to explain KBS's position and response plan regarding the recommendation for separate collection of subscription fees.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Concerns about the cost issues caused by separate collection of license fees were also raised. They explained, "Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), which is entrusted by KBS to issue and collect license fees, expressed concerns about confusion caused by separate collection and requested improvements," adding, "If separate collection is implemented, collection costs will significantly increase, potentially exceeding the entrusted commission fees or the amount of license fee payments, making losses inevitable." Furthermore, "EBS appealed for reconsideration of the enforcement decree amendment, stating that separate collection of TV license fees could undermine the public functions of educational broadcasting, such as reducing private education expenses and closing the educational gap."

In this regard, Democratic Party lawmakers criticized the revision process, saying, "Although the Administrative Procedures Act sets the legislative notice period at 40 days to guarantee citizens' basic rights, the KCC ignored this and shortened it to 10 days," and added, "During this process, related ministries were fully mobilized, including skipping the Regulatory Review by the Office for Government Policy Coordination, shortening the legislative notice period by the Ministry of Government Legislation, and urgent publication in the Government Gazette by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. This reveals the regime's determination to use shortcuts and tricks to seize control of broadcasting."

They also criticized the Presidential Office for initiating the enforcement decree revision in the form of a recommendation. Democratic Party lawmakers argued, "Since when has the Presidential Office been a recommending agency?" and stated, "Hiding behind the form of a recommendation is an admission that the separate collection of TV license fees through the enforcement decree revision is unfair and illegal. If they are confident, they should give direct orders and take responsibility themselves."

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