Yeosu MBC Finalizes Relocation to Suncheon, Emerges as Southern Coastal Content Hub

Suncheon City and Yeosu MBC Sign Investment Agreement
A New Start as a Converged Media Platform

On September 26, Suncheon City signed an investment agreement with Yeosu Cultural Broadcasting Corporation (hereinafter referred to as Yeosu MBC) to revitalize the cultural content industry at the Suncheonman National Garden Workation.

On the 26th, Suncheon City signed an investment agreement with Yeosu Cultural Broadcasting Corporation to revitalize the cultural content industry at the Suncheonman National Garden Workation. Photo by Suncheon City

With this agreement, Yeosu MBC, which has long been at the center of controversy, has finalized the relocation of its headquarters to Suncheon after 55 years. In accordance with the convention among nationwide affiliates of Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation to include their respective locations in their corporate names, the company will be renamed "Suncheon MBC."

Additionally, by moving into the Opportunity Development Special Zone for Cultural Content, the broadcaster is set to transform into a converged media platform that encompasses the entire content industry, including animation and webtoons, going beyond its role as a regional public broadcaster.

The signing ceremony was attended by Suncheon Mayor Noh Gwan-gyu, Yeosu MBC CEO Lee Ho-in, Yeosu MBC Viewers' Committee Chairman Kang Moon-sik, and about 30 others, including Hong Seong-ho, CEO of animation anchor company Locus Co., Ltd., and related officials, who are preparing to move into the special zone. This also provided an opportunity to foster mutual cooperation.

Notably, the Yeosu branch of the National Union of Mediaworkers Munhwa Broadcasting Headquarters also participated, adding significance to the agreement. The decision for Yeosu MBC to relocate to Suncheon is being recognized as a result of communication and harmony between labor and management within the media company.

Following the agreement, the city plans to actively provide administrative support for the relocation of Yeosu MBC and to establish a virtuous cycle content ecosystem that offers one-stop support for content production, distribution, and marketing by linking with companies moving into the animation and webtoon cluster.

Mayor Noh stated, "The relocation of Yeosu MBC to Suncheon, bringing a broadcasting company to our city, is highly significant. Through collaboration with Yeosu MBC and content companies in animation and webtoons, we will develop Suncheon into the cultural content hub of the southern coastal region."