Naver and Kakao Decide to Temporarily Suspend News Partnership Evaluation Committee

The Secretariat of the News Partnership Evaluation Committee announced on the afternoon of the 22nd at the Korea Press Center during the 'News Partnership Evaluation Committee Steering Committee Full Meeting' that it will temporarily suspend the activities of the Partnership Evaluation Committee.

The Partnership Evaluation Committee is an autonomous organization established to facilitate partnerships between news service operators Naver and Kakao and media outlets. Since the preparatory committee was launched in 2015, it has been responsible for reviewing and sanctioning news entries for both companies for seven years starting from 2016.

Naver and Kakao, respectively, decided to suspend activities, viewing that a review of new proposals beyond the current Partnership Evaluation Committee is necessary to establish a partnership model suitable for the changing media environment. They added that they will take time to gather opinions from various sectors to seek better alternatives and directions for development to improve news services.

With the temporary suspension of the Partnership Evaluation Committee's activities, the review of news entries will also be suspended for the time being. During the suspension period, they plan to conduct processes such as public hearings to gather external opinions and thoroughly review a partnership evaluation system that can maintain neutrality and fairness.