2 out of 3 Committee Members Approve... Opposing Member Kim Hyun Leaves
Democratic Party Protest Visit... "Stop Illegal and Unfair Operations"
The Korea Communications Commission (KCC) has initiated the revision of the enforcement decree to separate the collection of KBS license fees. Additionally, Kim Hyo-jae, acting chairman of the KCC, was elected as the vice chairman.
On the 14th, the KCC held a plenary meeting where it reported on the partial amendment of the enforcement decree of the Broadcasting Act and resolved matters concerning the election of the vice chairman, changes in terrestrial broadcasting operators' licenses, and prior consent for the re-licensing of comprehensive cable TV operators.
During the plenary meeting, the partial amendment of the enforcement decree of the Broadcasting Act was reported to improve the current method of collecting television broadcasting license fees, which are billed and collected combined with electricity charges. The amendment prohibits the entity entrusted with collecting license fees on behalf of the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) from combining the billing and collection of fees related to its own core business with the license fee collection. Currently, Article 43, Paragraph 2 of the enforcement decree of the Broadcasting Act stipulates that "the designated entity may combine the billing related to its core business when collecting license fees." This will be revised to "shall not combine," thereby ensuring that KBS license fees collected together with electricity charges are collected separately.
Acting Chairman Kim and Standing Commissioner Lee Sang-in expressed support, while Commissioner Kim Hyun opposed the proposal. Accordingly, the amendment of the enforcement decree to separate the collection of KBS license fees is expected to proceed.
Commissioner Lee Sang-in stated, "I served as a KBS board member from 2009 to 2015. At that time, I supported two fee increases and demanded that the issues raised by the public and the National Assembly be addressed. However, even after more than ten years, KBS's efforts to improve have been insufficient." He added, "In addition to self-interest, political bias has caused controversies over fairness. KBS should not simply criticize and oppose but should properly recognize the value of the license fee, fulfill its responsibilities, and examine why such distrust has arisen."
Commissioner Kim Hyun opposed the agenda and left the meeting. He said, "The license fee issue requires social consensus. I am deeply concerned about proceeding with only two opinions, disregarding the need for consensus within the KCC."
After Commissioner Kim left, Acting Chairman Kim was elected as vice chairman. His term starts from that day and lasts until August 23. Vice Chairman Kim stated, "Although the KCC is going through a difficult period, we will do our best to fulfill the duties entrusted by the people through the law."
Additionally, at the meeting, the KCC approved the change of corporate merger license application due to the merger of the Busan English Broadcasting Foundation and the Busan International Exchange Foundation. It also consented to the re-licensing of 11 companies affiliated with CMB. Regarding the appeal against the 'warning' disposition related to 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory' by the Seoul Metropolitan Media Foundation TBS, the KCC decided to dismiss the appeal, considering the opinion of the Korea Communications Standards Commission (dismissal).
Meanwhile, prior to the plenary meeting, members of the Democratic Party of Korea from the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee visited the KCC to protest. Assemblymen Jo Seung-rae and Jang Kyung-tae visited the Government Complex Gwacheon and issued a statement in front of the KCC, demanding, "The KCC must immediately stop illegal and unfair committee operations."
They said, "Although the acting chairman assumed duties according to the prescribed order, an acting chairman is, by common sense, a temporary position to maintain the status quo, not to handle personnel matters or decide new policies." They added, "The forced operation of the KCC can only be understood as a preemptive move to seize control of KBS and MBC broadcasting." During the protest reading, Assemblyman Jang fainted temporarily due to anemia but is reported to have recovered.
Before the plenary meeting began, Assemblyman Jo had a meeting with Vice Chairman Kim. Jo said, "Next week, the decision on former Chairman Han's return will be made, and I regret the hasty procedure being carried out under an abnormal system." He added, "The KCC should be an institution guaranteeing the independence and neutrality of broadcasting, not a control committee to seize broadcasting." Vice Chairman Kim responded, "Changing one chairman does not mean controlling the media; it is a natural replacement process." Jo also urged the prompt appointment of Choi Min-hee as a standing commissioner of the KCC. He said, "With only three of the five standing commissioners remaining, it is not normal to push controversial agendas. The KCC and the Presidential Office need to actively work toward normalization."
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