Broadcasting fund still covers press arbitration body, lawmaker says

Rep. Lee Hoon-gi of the Democratic Party of Korea represents Namdong-gu B in Incheon and sits on the Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee. Ahead of the October national audit, he said Wednesday that the Broadcasting and Communications Development Fund is being used to cover the Press Arbitration Commission's operating costs. He called for the fund to be redirected toward revitalizing local broadcasting and supporting K-content production.

In written questions submitted to Kim Jong-cheol, chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission, Rep. Lee said, "The practice of spending the development fund on institutions' operating costs needs to be corrected. Arirang International Broadcasting and Gugak Broadcasting were moved to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's general account starting this year, so why is the Press Arbitration Commission's operating budget still being covered by the development fund?"

According to political circles and the media industry, the Broadcasting and Communications Development Fund is meant to support the advancement of broadcasting and telecommunications. Under Article 26, Paragraph 1 of the Framework Act on Broadcasting and Communications Development, the fund is designated for broadcasting and telecommunications research and development. It also supports content production, local and small broadcasters, media education, and protection of users' rights, among other purposes. The Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Communications Commission jointly manage, operate and supervise the fund.

However, criticism has persisted that portions of the fund are being funneled into institutions not overseen by the Korea Communications Commission. These include Arirang International Broadcasting, Gugak Broadcasting and the Press Arbitration Commission, all of which fall under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

According to Rep. Lee, from the time the fund's support began through 2025, a combined 1.09 trillion won ($811 million) went to the three institutions. Arirang International Broadcasting received a total of 749.01 billion won from 1996 through 2025, while Gugak Broadcasting received 91.44 billion won over 24 years starting in 2001.

At last year's national audit, Rep. Lee said, "Support for Arirang International Broadcasting and Gugak Broadcasting should be excluded from the development fund." Starting with the 2026 budget, funding for the two broadcasters was removed from the fund and shifted to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's general account.

However, Rep. Lee pointed out that "the development fund still allocates money for the Press Arbitration Commission's operating costs." The cumulative total provided to the commission since 1996 through this year stands at 261.67 billion won. Next year's government budget proposal calls for 15.7 billion won, an increase of 900 million won from this year's budget of 14.8 billion won.

"Support for the Press Arbitration Commission through the Broadcasting and Communications Development Fund should be discontinued," Rep. Lee said. "The fund should be directed toward revitalizing local broadcasting and supporting content production. I will push to swiftly revise the press arbitration law so that support for the commission can be transferred to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism."