SEOUL — The regulatory process for the re-approval of JTBC, which is currently undergoing a corporate rehabilitation process, has officially begun.

During its 40th plenary meeting held on the 7th, the Korea Communications Commission (KCC) voted to approve the re-approval implementation plan for JTBC. Under this plan, JTBC is required to submit a revised business plan to the KCC within the next six months. The commission will then make a final decision on re-approval within two months from the date of receipt.

JTBC’s previous broadcast license validity expired on November 30 of last year, but the review process had been delayed due to the prolonged vacancy in the KCC's commissioner lineup. Subsequently, JTBC applied for corporate rehabilitation in June, and the court officially commenced the rehabilitation proceedings in August.

Because the rehabilitation process has made modifications to the original business plan inevitable, the KCC plans to comprehensively evaluate JTBC’s financial standing and its capability for stable business operations based on the newly submitted plan.

Corrective Orders Issued Over Broadcasting Act Violations

During the same meeting, the KCC also resolved to issue corrective orders to broadcasting companies that have failed to fulfill their statutory obligations under the Broadcasting Act.

Under the revised Broadcasting Act enacted last August, broadcasters are required to guarantee autonomy and independence in programming. This includes establishing a programming committee comprised of both broadcasters and employees, as well as enacting and revising programming guidelines.

A KCC inspection revealed that Jeju Broadcasting (JIBS) has yet to establish a programming committee. Regarding programming guidelines, 11 out of 37 inspected entities—including KBS, KNN, and YTN—have not yet completed their enactment or revision. Consequently, the KCC decided to issue corrective orders mandating compliance. Following the deadline of November 7, the commission will re-inspect each broadcaster's compliance status and take subsequent enforcement actions if necessary.

Upcoming Re-approval for MBN

In addition, the KCC finalized the detailed re-approval plan for general programming television broadcasting service providers for the second half of 2026. The commission will review Maeil Broadcasting Network (MBN) and decide on its re-approval status sometime in November.

KCC Chairperson Kim Jong-chul remarked, "We ask JTBC to prepare realistic self-rescue measures to overcome its deteriorated management conditions, alongside concrete plans to fulfill its public responsibilities for the review." He added, "We will strengthen ongoing monitoring and supervision to ensure that broadcasting providers faithfully fulfill their obligations to form programming committees and establish or revise programming guidelines, thereby genuinely guaranteeing the autonomy and independence of broadcast programming."

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