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Communications regulator, ICT ministry at odds over roles

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Korea Communications Commission Lee Hyo-seong speaks during a media conference at the Gwacheon Government Complex in Gyeonggi Province, Monday. / Yonhap
Korea Communications Commission Lee Hyo-seong speaks during a media conference at the Gwacheon Government Complex in Gyeonggi Province, Monday. / Yonhap

By Jun Ji-hye

The Korea Communications Commission (KCC) and the Ministry of Science and ICT showed subtle differences of opinion over their roles after the KCC chairman claimed his organization needs to act as a control tower to oversee the nation's broadcasting and telecommunication industry, Monday.

During a media conference, KCC Chairman Lee Hyo-seong said it is totally illogical for two government departments to take charge of the work related to the industry, claiming the KCC alone needs to administer policies and regulations regarding the industry.

Lee also said he had recently tendered his resignation to President Moon Jae-in, though his term of office ends in August next year, saying he made the decision to support the government's reform efforts.

ICT Minister You Young-min noted, however, that the roles of government offices needed to be decided through discussion, saying it is improper to just blurt out issues.

Minister of Science and ICT You Young-min speaks during a meeting with journalists at the Gwacheon Government Complex in Gyeonggi Province, Monday. / Courtesy of Ministry of Science and ICT
Minister of Science and ICT You Young-min speaks during a meeting with journalists at the Gwacheon Government Complex in Gyeonggi Province, Monday. / Courtesy of Ministry of Science and ICT

Currently, the ICT ministry oversees the subscription TV industry and prior regulations on telecommunication companies, while the KCC is in charge of controlling terrestrial broadcasters and ex-post regulations on telecom firms.

The division of roles of the two government offices was decided during the Park Geun-hye government which was inaugurated in 2013.

Lee said it was regrettable that the Moon Jae-in government failed to create a control tower to take charge of all the work related to the industry when it was launched.

"When the KCC was created, it took charge of the entire broadcasting and telecommunication industry, but the Park government divided the tasks after applying vague standards," Lee said. "It is illogical for two organizations in one government to control the industry at the same time. The KCC needs to take charge of regulations on the entire industry to establish market order and protect users. It is the right thing to do."

Lee said regulation-related works also include the allocation of frequency, currently done by the ICT ministry.

Later in the day, Minister You said during a meeting with journalists, "It is time to talk about the roles of ministries as boundaries between broadcasting and telecommunications have disappeared, and markets have changed. But the issue needs to be carefully reviewed between relevant ministries."

You added the issue is not a matter of right or wrong, saying, "The government needs to decide on what will create more synergy."


Jun Ji-hye jjh@koreatimes.co.kr


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