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Kim Jong-cheol, Chairman of the Korea Media and Communications Commission. / Korea Media and Communications Commission

The Korea Media and Communications Commission (KMCC) has drawn up next year's budget at 297.7 billion won, an increase of more than 13% compared to this year. Budgets related to AI transformation (AX) in the broadcasting and media sectors and countermeasures against online disinformation and fabricated information were newly added.

The KMCC announced on the 1st that it prepared the 2027 budget proposal and fund management plan totaling 297.7 billion won, up 34.6 billion won (13.2%) from the previous year. This marks the first budget proposal compiled since the KMCC's launch in October last year.

The KMCC focused the allocation of this budget proposal on sustainable development and innovation in the broadcasting and media industries, the creation of a safe and reliable digital environment, and the reinforcement of the public's media sovereignty. The commission explained that the goal is to realize a "media basic society" where anyone can access media easily and safely.

In particular, it plans to bolster responses to fabricated false information through AI transformation in the broadcasting and media sectors and the operation of the Information and Communications Service Transparency Center.

First, to support the AI transformation of the broadcasting and media industries, 10 billion won was newly allocated to the "Pilot Project for Building AI Training Data from Broadcasting Video," which processes video assets held by broadcasters into data for AI training. The commission also plans to increase the R&D budget for AI-based core technologies in broadcasting production and editing, while pursuing projects to establish an integrated service platform for domestic radio broadcasters and standardize paid broadcasting viewership data.

The budget also incorporates project and operating expenses for the Information and Communications Service Transparency Center, established following the implementation of the revised Information and Communications Network Act last July. This body carries out duties such as supporting fact-checking organizations as well as conducting research and training related to fact-checking.

Investments to enhance public access to media will also be expanded. The budget for media competency education run by the Community Media Foundation was doubled from the previous year to approximately 2.4 billion won, and 2.5 billion won was allocated respectively to establish Community Media Centers in Gyeongbuk and Jeonbuk.

Kim Jong-cheol, Chairman of the KMCC, stated, "Through the 2027 budget proposal, we will further strengthen the public's media sovereignty and foster industrial competitiveness suited to the shifting media environment." He added, "By enhancing public media sovereignty and building industrial competitiveness aligned with the evolving media landscape, we will realize a media basic society where every citizen enjoys the benefits of media."

                                                                                                          Kim Hong-chan