On March 21, 2024, the Korea Communications Commission (“KCC”) announced its action plan for major projects in 2024 (the “Action Plan”). Notably, the Action Plan suggests new policy directions for the artificial intelligence (“AI”), platform, broadcasting, communications, and location services sectors, in addition to summarizing the KCC’s key policy goals and tasks for this year.
The Action Plan lays out the KCC’s commitment to advancing Korea as a “trusted and innovative global media powerhouse,” through the strategic realignment of the broadcasting, communications, and media sectors to conform to the evolving global standards and current trends of the media landscape. Additionally, the KCC plans to develop a robust framework for the protection of the digital media users’ rights and interests. These initiatives represent the core of the KCC’s plans to prioritize three major tasks in response to the dynamic changes in the media environment, as summarized in the table below.
|
Three Major Tasks
|
Key Actions
|
|
Create a foundation for innovation-driven growth
|
|
①
|
Establish a foundation for media innovation and sustainable growth
|
|
②
|
Enhance the vitality of the broadcasting, communications, and media industries
|
|
③
|
Foster a fair competition environment in broadcasting, communications, and media
|
|
|
Redefine media’s public nature
|
|
①
|
Improve the reliability of broadcasting, communications, and media
|
|
②
|
Enhance the public nature and interest in broadcasting, communications, and media
|
|
③
|
Fortify the public responsibility and nature of public broadcasters
|
|
|
Build a society of digital equity for all ages
|
|
①
|
Expand nondiscriminatory access to media
|
|
②
|
Foster a healthy digital usage environment
|
|
③
|
Strengthen responses to illegal and harmful digital content
|
|
We also highlight below certain key actions outlined in the Action Plan that merit special attention.
|
Key Actions
|
Details and Significance
|
|
Strengthen protection for AI service users
|
-
The KCC is advancing the enactment of the “Act on Protection of Artificial Intelligence Service Users” (tentative name) to (i) ensure AI services’ reliability and shield users from negative impacts. This forthcoming legislation aims to separately regulate high-impact AI services and establish a comprehensive management system for AI services, including provisions for risk management and dispute resolution.
-
Additionally, the KCC has announced plans to (ii) implement a mandate for marking AI-generated content, (iii) set forth guidelines to preemptively address user harm from generative AI services and to promote voluntary improvements by providers, and (iv) launch a reporting service for grievances arising from AI services.
|
|
Enhance protection for platform users and countermeasures against disinformation
|
-
To safeguard platform users, the KCC intends to review the most-used applications and web services for any inconveniences in terms of sign-up or usage. Additionally, it aims to refine regulations to curb harm to users from deceptive marketing practices, known as dark patterns.
-
Additionally, the KCC is preparing to introduce or modify legislation as part of a comprehensive strategy to mitigate damages from disinformation on portals and platforms. This strategy includes (i) defining fake or manipulated information, (ii) implementing targeted measures against the creation and spread of such information, (iii) increasing the accountability of portals and platform operators, and (iv) banning activities that distort or manipulate public opinion.
|
|
Streamline regulations for location information services
|
-
The KCC also announced plans to deregulate the location information industry by unifying the status of location information providers and location-based service operators. In addition, it aims to facilitate market entry by transitioning to a notification system from a regulatory approval system for location information-related businesses.
|
|
Enact the Integrated Media Act
|
-
Despite the growing influence of global OTT platforms, there have been ongoing concerns over their operations within legal grey areas. In response, the KCC is moving forward with the establishment of the “Integrated Media Law” to promote regulatory fairness across media platforms.
|
|
Repeal the Mobile Device Distribution Improvement Act (“MDDIA”)
|
-
The KCC has declared its intent to fully repeal the MDDIA to alleviate the financial burden on consumers purchasing mobile devices, by spurring voluntary subsidies competition among mobile telecommunications operators.
-
Even before the repeal of the MDDIA, the KCC intends to promote subsidies competition through the revision of the relevant executive decrees, enforcement ordinances, and the like related to subsidies.
|
In addition, the KCC further announced in the Action Plan its intent to revitalize the broadcasting, communications, and media industries in 2024 by easing various regulatory frameworks and laying the groundwork to support the emergence and growth of new businesses.
[Korean Version]
