The Korea Media and Communications Commission held its first full meeting on the 10th and resolved the reauthorization of broadcasters whose validity periods had expired, moving to ease management uncertainty.
The Korea Media and Communications Commission (KMCC) held the "first full meeting of 2026" at the Government Complex Gwacheon on the day and reviewed and voted on whether to renew licenses for 11 terrestrial broadcasters including the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS), five community radio broadcasters, and 150 stations slated for reauthorization in the first half of 2024–2025.
The decision on terrestrial reauthorization had been delayed, prolonging management uncertainty. The Korea Media and Communications Commission (KMCC) said it treated the matter as a top priority, respected the evaluation results, and reached a conclusion after comprehensively considering the elapsed time and other factors.
As a result of the evaluation, 40 stations scoring 700 points or higher were granted a five-year license validity, and 93 stations scoring 650 points or higher but under 700 points were granted four years. For the 17 stations scoring under 650 points, it decided to determine reauthorization after hearings.
The Korea Media and Communications Commission (KMCC) imposed conditions on reauthorized operators, including fulfilling public obligations, ensuring management transparency, revitalizing local programming, and protecting viewers. In particular, it reintroduced measures to improve treatment for nonregular workers and established a new condition to prevent workplace harassment.
The Korea Media and Communications Commission (KMCC) also finalized the results of the reauthorization review for system operators (SO). Geumgang Broadcasting exceeded the benchmark score and received a seven-year reauthorization, while Pureun Broadcasting fell short of the benchmark and had its reauthorization vote deferred. The Korea Media and Communications Commission (KMCC) plans to reach a conclusion on Pureun Broadcasting after a hearing process.
Kim Jong-cheol, chair of the Korea Media and Communications Commission (KMCC), said, "I thank the broadcasting workers who have upheld fairness and public interest in broadcasting amid the delay in terrestrial reauthorization," and added, "Through reauthorization reviews and other measures, we will work to create a broadcasting environment in which terrestrial broadcasting can earn the public's trust."