Nomination of Kim Hong-il as Broadcasting Commission Chairman... Accelerating Normalization of the 'Idle' Broadcasting Commission

Chairman Lee Dong-gwan Incident After 5 Days
Quick Inauguration Expected to Resolve Work Gap
Public Broadcasting, Portal Reform, and Fake News Challenges

Kim Hong-il, the nominee for chairman of the Korea Communications Commission (KCC), was appointed on the 6th, just five days after the resignation of his predecessor, Lee Dong-gwan. With the chairman position changing hands after three months, Kim is expected to quickly normalize the KCC, which has been in a state of 'temporary closure,' and address pressing issues such as reforming public broadcasting and portals, and eradicating fake news.

Kim, a former prosecutor specializing in violent and special crimes, is known to have the strong trust of President Yoon Seok-yeol. Rather than focusing on short-term achievements, he is expected to concentrate on refining regulations with a long-term perspective.

Nominee for Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, Kim Hong-il
Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Kim is scheduled to start working at the hearing preparation office near the Government Complex Gwacheon from next week. Since it is urgent to quickly resolve the KCC’s operational gap, his inauguration could take place as early as within this year. Following the resignation of former chairman Lee under impeachment pressure, the KCC is currently operating with only one vice chairman, Lee Sang-in. With only one commissioner, decision-making is impossible, effectively putting the commission on hold.

The first task after taking office will be the renewal of terrestrial broadcasting licenses. The KCC must promptly resume the review and approval of license renewals for KBS 2TV, MBC, SBS UHD, regional MBC stations, and 86 regional private broadcasters. Any broadcaster failing to obtain renewal within the year will be deemed an unlicensed illegal broadcaster.

Addressing fake news ahead of the general elections in April next year is also an urgent task. During the previous chairman’s tenure, the KCC aggressively reviewed fake news. This stance is expected to continue under Kim’s leadership.

There is also the matter of approving the change of the largest shareholder of YTN. The KCC has currently put on hold the application of Eugene ENT as a major shareholder, and Kim will need to decide on the approval after taking office. Additionally, regarding the Korea Broadcasting Culture Promotion Foundation, the major shareholder of MBC, the KCC has appealed against the injunction to dismiss Chairman Kwon Tae-seon. A follow-up response plan must be devised. Measures following the separate collection of KBS license fees, implemented since June, also need to be prepared.

Portal regulation must also be reviewed. The KCC has been conducting an investigation into allegations that Naver adjusted its news search ranking algorithm. Furthermore, a bill is being prepared to institutionalize the News Alliance Evaluation Committee, operated by Naver and Kakao, as a statutory body. Other telecommunications-related issues, such as reducing household communication expenses, also remain.

Kim’s confirmation hearing in the National Assembly is expected to face considerable difficulties. The opposition parties have strongly opposed Kim’s nomination, questioning his expertise in broadcasting and telecommunications due to his prosecutorial background. However, Kim enjoys strong trust from President Yoon and has prior experience undergoing a confirmation hearing when appointed as chairman of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission. It is generally assessed that overcoming the hurdle of a second hearing will be easier.