[Digital Today reporter Son Seul-gi] The Broadcasting, Media and Communications Commission granted conditional three-year license renewals to 17 radio stations operated by three broadcasters.
At its 5th plenary session of 2026 on the 29th, the commission approved renewals for 17 stations, including 14 KBS outlets, two MBC Gyeongnam stations and TBS Traffic FM.
Earlier, at the 1st plenary session of 2026 on the 10th, these stations scored below 650 points in the renewal review and entered a hearing process under the Administrative Procedures Act. The commission held hearings on the 22nd, examined the stations’ improvement plans in depth, and today finalized the conditional renewals. Renewals may be revoked if conditions are not met.
To strengthen broadcasters’ public responsibilities and local service, the commission imposed station-specific conditions, including greater investment in local radio production and steps to secure public-interest programming. KBS was ordered to submit tailored improvement plans for each station, detailing radio production investments; MBC Gyeongnam must report on its implementation of plans covering broadcast evaluation, emergency broadcasting and radio production investment.
For TBS Traffic FM, the commission required implementation of a financial recovery plan, improvements to its internal review system to boost fairness, and stricter oversight of donation operations. Taking into account TBS’s sharp financial deterioration after Seoul revoked its designation as a municipal-affiliated organization in 2024 and the hearings’ emphasis on diversifying revenue, the commission decided to permit commercial advertising.
However, the commission added safeguards: if the station’s financial situation changes significantly — for example, through expanded public support — it will reconsider the authorization for commercial ads to prevent damage to public interest and editorial independence.
Kim Jong-chul, chair of the commission, said, "We conducted the renewal reviews to reinforce broadcasters’ public roles and core responsibilities while allowing institutional flexibility so they can respond appropriately to changes in operating conditions. We will continuously monitor whether stations comply with the renewal conditions and will take strict action under the relevant laws if they fail to do so."
