As the amendment to the broadcasting law for the integrated collection of license fees was re-voted in the National Assembly, KBS stated, "We will do our best to realize the public value of the license fee."
On the afternoon of the 17th, the National Assembly passed the re-vote on the broadcasting law amendment with 212 votes in favor, 81 against, and 2 invalid votes out of 299 registered members. The amendment stipulates that Korea Electric Power Corporation will collect TV license fees, which are the funding sources for KBS and the Korea Educational Broadcasting System, combined with electricity bills.
Upon the passage of the broadcasting law amendment that stipulates 'integrated collection of license fees', KBS issued a statement saying, "We deeply appreciate the overwhelming support from the National Assembly, the representative body of the people, in amending the broadcasting law, and we expect that this amendment will further strengthen the institutional foundation of public broadcasting."
KBS emphasized, "The passage of this amendment will be a significant turning point in securing financial and institutional stability not only for KBS but for the entire broadcasting industry ecosystem in South Korea."
It also stated, "We are acutely aware of the financial crisis experienced during the recent changes to the license fee system, and above all, the fact that we have not sufficiently gained the trust of the public. We are currently accelerating internal innovation," and added, "We will take this broadcasting law amendment as a new starting point to more faithfully fulfill the mission of public broadcasting. We will transcend partisan logic and prioritize the lives of the people, communicating as a public broadcaster that meets the viewers' expectations."
Furthermore, it stated, "We will strengthen our role as a public forum addressing national challenges such as low birth rates and regional extinction, and enhance our responsibilities as a disaster broadcasting lead broadcaster by delivering quick and accurate information during disasters to protect the lives and safety of the people. Through this, we will establish ourselves as the center of trusted journalism."
KBS expressed its determination, saying, "We will actively introduce AI technology throughout content production to present creative and high-quality programs, and achieve service innovations that the public can feel," and added, "We will continuously pursue management efficiency and organizational innovation to practically realize the value of the license fee."
In conclusion, it stated, "We deeply thank everyone who sympathized with and gathered support for the necessity of integrated collection of license fees during this broadcasting law amendment process," and added, "We will do our best to rebuild public trust and realize the public value of the license fee, taking this broadcasting law amendment as an opportunity."
Last December, an amendment to the broadcasting law that included the collection of TV license fees combined with electricity bills passed the National Assembly. Acting President Choi Sang-mok, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, exercised the right to request reconsideration (veto) of the broadcasting law amendment, which has now returned to the National Assembly for re-vote. It is scheduled to be discussed again in the National Assembly on the 17th.
In response, the Korean Broadcasting Actors Union, along with the Korean Voice Actors Association, KBS Comedians Association, and the Korean Broadcasting Comedians Association, also issued a statement supporting the integrated collection of license fees.
