President's message read at 63rd Broadcasting Day ceremony; vows to reform outdated regulations through new Korea Communications Commission

President Lee Jae Myung speaks at a senior secretaries meeting at Cheong Wa Dae on Thursday. [Yonhap]
President Lee Jae Myung speaks at a senior secretaries meeting at Cheong Wa Dae on Thursday. [Yonhap]

President Lee Jae Myung marked Broadcasting Day on Thursday by pledging to restore the public role of broadcasting and guarantee its autonomy amid a rapidly shifting media landscape, vowing to build what he called a "media-based society."

In a congratulatory address — read on his behalf by the presidential communications secretary — at the 63rd Broadcasting Day ceremony at the 63 Convention Center in Yeouido, Seoul, Lee said the broadcasting industry stands at a major crossroads driven by AI and digital transformation. "Broadcasting faces the dual challenge of strengthening its public mission and accountability in an era of information overload, while also surviving fierce competition against global media players," he said.

Lee praised broadcasters for their work and credited them with driving the global success of Korean content. "Broadcasting has always stood by the people as the most trusted source of information and a companion of daily life," he said. "Today, diverse and compelling K-content is spreading Korean culture and values around the world. Your original ideas and relentless drive are the true force that has brought K-content to the center of the global stage."

He then outlined the government's media policy direction, centering on the newly launched Korea Communications Commission as the vehicle for restoring public-interest values and overhauling regulations.

"The government will actively support the recovery of broadcasting's public mission and foster innovation and growth, with the Korea Communications Commission at the center of those efforts," Lee said. "We will provide institutional backing for the autonomy and independence of broadcasting, and build a 'media-based society' that guarantees every citizen's right to participate, access and choose."

He added that the government would also "rationally reform various outdated regulations to strengthen the competitiveness of the broadcasting industry."


sunpine@heraldcorp.com