Regulatory and promotion functions integrated; initial operations led by acting director amid focus on smooth transition
The Broadcast Media and Communications Commission officially launched on Wednesday, replacing the former Korea Communications Commission under the newly promulgated “Act on the Establishment and Operation of the Broadcast Media and Communications Commission.” The new commission will inherit the responsibilities of its predecessor.
The Broadcast Media and Communications Commission aims to establish an integrated policy framework to respond to the rapidly evolving media landscape. It seeks to strengthen public accountability and independence in the broadcasting and telecommunications sectors, while balancing regulatory and promotional functions in policy implementation.
The commission’s secretariat held a senior management meeting on Wednesday morning to review ongoing and transferred duties, emphasizing measures to minimize operational gaps and prevent inconvenience to the public.
The old Korea Communications Commission signboard was removed early Wednesday, and a new sign for the Broadcast Media and Communications Commission will be installed once the commission’s members are appointed. The press briefing room has already been updated with the new logo.
The commission, under the Office of the President, will consist of seven members: a chairperson, a vice chairperson, one standing commissioner, and four non-standing commissioners. The president nominates the chairperson and two commissioners, while the ruling and opposition parties each recommend commissioners, including the standing commissioner, who are then appointed by the president. As the chairperson and commissioners have not yet been appointed, the secretariat’s spokesperson Ban Sang-kwon is serving as acting chairperson.
Meeting requirements are now codified: a quorum is four of the seven members, and decisions require a majority vote of those present. The secretariat is organized into four bureaus, three offices, 22 divisions, four teams, and one administrative office, totaling 316 staff.
Notably, responsibilities previously handled by the Ministry of Science and ICT, such as internet and cable TV licensing, new media, and digital broadcasting policies, have been transferred to the new commission, which has established a Broadcast Media Promotion Bureau to enhance efficiency and accountability in policy execution.
However, some experts express concern about potential operational disruptions due to the combination of regulatory and promotional functions. Most of the personnel handling these tasks at the Ministry of Science and ICT were reassigned from other departments. The ministry said it carefully selected staff based on experience and work conditions and pledged full support to prevent any gaps in operations.