[Broadcasting Commission Report] Chairman Han Sang-hyuk "Broadcast License Renewal Review, According to Law and Principles"

Hansanghyuk, Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission
[Photo by Korea Communications Commission]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] Han Sang-hyuk, Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission (KCC), pledged on the 16th, "We will strictly enforce the re-licensing (re-approval) review of terrestrial, general programming, and news channels in accordance with laws and principles."

Chairman Han made this statement while announcing the KCC's 2020 work plan, saying, "To promote objective and accurate broadcasting reporting and voluntary compliance with laws, and to enhance the dignity of broadcasting, we will faithfully fulfill the authority and responsibility given to the KCC in the re-licensing and re-approval review process." He had mentioned this point in his New Year's address earlier this year and emphasized it once again through the work plan. Starting with YTN and Yonhap News TV in March, TV Chosun and Channel A in April, JTBC and MBN in November, and terrestrial broadcasters in December are all approaching the expiration of their license and approval validity periods.

Some point out that there are broadcasters found to have violations equivalent to license revocation, and that the KCC cannot be free from responsibility. Chairman Han said, "Investigations on certain broadcasters are ongoing, and the KCC must conduct its own investigations and legal reviews," adding, "If issues are found with the KCC separate from the re-licensing and re-approval procedures, we will sincerely apologize to the public and prepare improvement measures for legally problematic areas."

The KCC also plans to introduce a public opinion hearing system during the broadcaster re-licensing and re-approval reviews to create a trustworthy broadcasting environment. This system will collect public opinions, listen to broadcasters' responses, and disclose questions and answers. When appointing directors and presidents of public broadcasters such as KBS, the KCC plans to ensure public participation and enhance procedural transparency. To increase the reliability of disaster broadcasting, evaluations related to this will be strengthened in the broadcasting re-licensing, re-approval reviews, and broadcasting assessments.

Additionally, in response to last year's controversy over the assault of minors during YouTube live broadcasts, the KCC plans to strengthen the protection of vulnerable groups by establishing guidelines to safeguard the rights of child and adolescent participants. Chairman Han emphasized, "Issues concerning the human rights of children and adolescents can be enforced through punitive regulations or by adhering to principles through guidelines," and added, "We will establish policies to ensure that these principles apply not only to broadcasting but also to communication content produced by broadcasters on platforms such as YouTube."