Chairman of the Korea-U.S. Unification Committee: “Asymmetric regulations for terrestrial broadcasting and OTT must be improved”

“Watching the World Cup and Olympics without additional burden...promoting joint negotiations for broadcasting rights”

(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Yoo Hyeon-min = Kim Jong-cheol, chairman of the Korea Media and Communications Commission, said on the 26th, "We are seeking reasonable improvement measures for asymmetric regulations between terrestrial broadcasters and online video services (OTT) and broadcasting regulations that place an excessive burden on terrestrial broadcasters."

Chairman Kim appeared on SBS' 'Joo Young-jin's News Briefing' on this day and said, "As the central axis of the media industry has changed, the advertising market has also moved to the digital area."

He explained that he is pushing for the enactment of the Integrated Media Act, saying that there is a need to build a legal environment to integrate and manage new and old media such as terrestrial broadcasting, OTT, and YouTube.

Regarding the regulation on mosaics of cigarette smoking scenes on terrestrial broadcasting, he said, “We are trying to approach this by considering whether it is an anachronistic regulation.”

Regarding universal viewing rights, he emphasized that citizens should be able to access events of national interest, such as the World Cup and Olympics, without additional burden. It was reported that the related law amendment has passed the Legislation and Judiciary Committee and is being prepared for submission to the plenary session of the National Assembly.

Chairman Kim explained, “Through joint negotiations, we can resolve the problem of rising broadcasting fees due to excessive competition,” and added, “We tried to include in the law the basis for (the government) to intervene in advance, make recommendations, and coordinate discussions.”

Regarding broadcast advertising regulations, he said, "There were aspects where regulations were strengthened based on the past media environment," and announced that he would strengthen legislative support for the amendment to the Broadcasting Act, which would convert to negative regulations to diversify advertising in line with the new environment. However, he added, “Although deregulation is a major direction, protecting viewer rights and interests should not be neglected.”