The purpose of this Decree is to prescribe matters mandated by the Act on the Promotion of News Communications and matters necessary for its enforcement. [This Article Wholly Amended on Nov. 20, 2012]
| Article 2 (Method of calculation of information use fees) |
In Article 6 (2) of the Act on the Promotion of News Communications (hereinafter referred to as the "Act"), "information use fee calculated by a method prescribed by Presidential Decree" means the information usage fees calculated in consideration of the following matters: | 1. | The amount of information provided by the news communications business entities; |
| 2. | The estimated number of users of the information provided; |
| 3. | The estimated usage of information provided. |
[This Article Wholly Amended on Nov. 20, 2012]
| Article 3 (Subscription agreement with news communications business entities) |
When the government enters into a subscription contract with a news communications business entity pursuant to Article 6 (3) of the Act, the following matters shall be included: | 2. | Details of services provided; |
| 3. | Subscription fees and rates. |
[This Article Wholly Amended on Nov. 20, 2012]
| Article 4 (Application mutatis mutandis of the Enforcement Decree of the Act on the Promotion of Newspapers) |
`Articles 14 and 15 of the Enforcement Decree of the Act on the Promotion of Newspapers shall apply mutatis mutandis to the restrictions on the ownership of the news communications business entities. [This Article Wholly Amended on Nov. 20, 2012]
| (1) | "Information and communications systems prescribed by Presidential Decree" in the former part, with the exception of the subparagraphs, of Article 8(1) of the Act means the facilities and the right to use the Internet leased line services among the key communications services under subparagraph 11 of Article 2 of the Telecommunications Business Act. <Amended on Apr. 18, 2023> |
| (2) | "Matters prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 8(1)4 of the Act means any of the following matters: |
| 1. | Matters related to wireless communications facilities under the Radio Waves Act; |
| 2. | Matters concerning the facilities to be equipped with pursuant to paragraph (1). |
| (3) | A person who intends to register a news communications business pursuant to Article 8(1) of the Act shall submit an application for the registration of the news communications business (including an application in electronic document) in attached Form No. 1, along with the following documents (including electronic document) to the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism. In this case, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall confirm the corporate registration certificate through administrative data matching pursuant to Article 36(1) of the Electronic Government Act: |
| 1. | The certificate of records of family relations and the resume of the representative director and editors of a news communications business entity; |
| 2. | The articles of incorporation of the legal entity that manages the news communications business and documents proving its establishment; |
| 3. | The certificate of permission to establish a wireless station or a document proving that the information and communications systems in accordance with paragraph (1) are in place; |
| 4. | News communications contract with a foreign news agency; |
| 5. | List of shareholders and the status of stock (equity) portfolio by stockholder (by shares), and the status of directors (executive officers); |
| 6. | Status of investments made by shareholders (equity owners) in large corporations and their affiliates under Article 18(1) of the Act on the Promotion of Newspapers (including persons in a special relationship as prescribed by the Enforcement Decree of the same Act). |
| (4) | "Matters prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 8(1)6 of the Act means the following matters: |
| 3. | Main objects of distribution and areas of distribution; |
| (5) | When a person who intends to operate a news communication business completes the registration of the business pursuant to paragraph (3), the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall, without delay, issue a registration certificate of the news communication business in attached Form No. 2. |
[This Article Wholly Amended on Nov. 20, 2012]
| Article 6 (Modification of registered matters) |
| (1) | Any person who intends to change the registered matters of a news communications business pursuant to the latter part, with the exception of the subparagraphs, of Article 8(1) of the Act shall submit an application for the modified registration of a news communications business (including an application in electronic document) in attached Form No. 3, attached with the following documents (including electronic document), to the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism: |
| 1. | Registration certificate of news communications business; |
| 2. | Documents proving any modifications; |
| 3. | Certificate regarding family relationship records and resume of the representative director or an editor of the news communication business entity (limited to the cases where the representative director or editor of a news communications business entity is changed); |
| 4. | The articles of incorporation of a corporation that runs the news communications business and documents proving its establishment (limited to the cases where the corporation running the news communications business is changed); |
| 5. | News communications contract with a foreign news agency (applicable only to the cases of revising the news communications contract). |
| (2) | The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall reissue the registration certificate of a news communications business when a news communications business entity completes a modified registration pursuant to paragraph (1). |
[This Article Wholly Amended on Nov. 20, 2012]
| Article 7 (Return of registration certificate) |
When an adjudication on the revocation of registration requested pursuant to Article 9-3 (2) of the Act is made final and conclusive, or the registration is revoked pursuant to Article 9-3 (5) of the Act, the person who has registered a news communication business shall return the registration certificate of the news communications business to the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism within 10 days from the date on which the adjudication on the revocation of registration is made final and conclusive, or the date of revocation of registration. [This Article Wholly Amended on Nov. 20, 2012]
| Article 8 (Scope of persons in special relationships restricted from using newsletter titles) |
In Article 9-3(6) of the Act, "a person in a special relationship prescribed by Presidential Decree" means a person who falls under any of the following subparagraphs: | 2. | A lineal ascendant or descendant; |
| 3. | A person who is or was an executive officer of a corporation that runs a news communications agency (referring to a managing general partner for an unlimited partnership, and a general partner for a limited partnership). |
[This Article Wholly Amended on Nov. 20, 2012]
| Article 9 (Composition and operation of Deliberation Committee on Revocation of Registration) |
| (1) | The Deliberation Committee on Revocation of Registration under Article 9-4 of the Act (hereafter referred to as the "Committee" in this Article and Article 9-2) shall be composed of not more than 9 members, including 1 chairperson. <Amended on Jul. 30, 2024> |
| (2) | The chairperson of the Committee (hereafter referred to as "chairperson" in this Article) shall be the First Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the members of the Committee shall be those commissioned by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism from among those with extensive knowledge and experience in the media, as well as those nominated by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, from among senior executives belonging to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. |
| (3) | The term of office of the commissioned members under paragraph (2) shall be 3 years: provided, the term of office of a substitute member shall be the remainder of the term of office of the predecessor. |
| (4) | If a member under paragraph (2) falls under any of the following subparagraphs, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism may dismiss the commissioned member or withdraw his or her nomination: <Added on May 10, 2016; Jul. 30, 2024> |
| 1. | If the member becomes incapable of performing his or her duties due to any mental or physical disorder; |
| 2. | If the member has engaged in any misconduct in connection with his or her duties; |
| 3. | If the member is deemed unfit to serve as a committee member due to neglect of duties, loss of dignity, or any other reason; |
| 4. | If the member fails to recuse oneself despite being subject to one of the subparagraphs of Article 9-2(1); |
| 5. | If the member voluntarily indicates that it is impracticable to perform his or her duties. |
| (5) | The chairperson shall represent the Committee and exercise general supervision over its affairs. <Amended on May 10, 2016> |
| (6) | The chairperson shall convene the meetings of the Committee and preside over the meetings. <Amended on May 10, 2016> |
| (7) | A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum, and any resolution thereof shall require the concurring vote of a majority of those present. <Amended on May 10, 2016> |
| (8) | The members attending the committee meetings may be paid allowances and travel expenses within budgetary limits: provided, this shall not apply if a member who is a public official attends the meeting in direct connection with his or her duties. <Amended on May 10, 2016> |
| (9) | Except as otherwise provided for in paragraphs (1) through (8), matters necessary for the composition and operation of the Committee shall be determined by the chairperson after resolution by the Committee. <Amended on May 10, 2016> |
[This Article Wholly Amended on Nov. 20, 2012]
| Article 9-2 (Exclusion of, challenge to, and recusal of members) |
| (1) | A member of the Committee (hereinafter referred to as "member") shall be excluded from deliberation and resolution by the Committee in any of the following cases: |
| 1. | Where the member, or his or her spouse or former spouse, is an executive officer or employee of the news communications business entity that is a party to the relevant agenda, or is a joint rights holder or joint obligor with the news communications business entity that is a party to the relevant agenda; |
| 2. | Where the member is or was a relative of an executive officer or employee of the news communications business entity that is a party to the relevant agenda; |
| 3. | Where the member or a person who is a relative of the member has a direct interest in the relevant agenda; |
| 4. | Where the member has provided testimony, statements, consultation, research, services, or appraisal regarding the relevant agenda; |
| 5. | Where the member, or the corporation or organization to which the member belongs, is or has been the representative of the news communications business entity that is a party to the relevant agenda. |
| (2) | A news communications business entity that is a party to the relevant agenda item may submit a written request for challenge to the relevant member to the Committee if there are grounds for exclusion under paragraph (1) or if there are circumstances making it difficult to expect a fair deliberation or resolution from the member, and the Committee shall decide on the challenge by resolution. In such case, the member subject to the challenge shall not participate in the resolution. |
| (3) | A Committee member shall voluntarily recuse oneself from the deliberation or resolution of the relevant agenda item if he or she falls under the grounds specified in paragraph (1) or (2). |
[This Article Added on Jul. 30, 2024]
| Article 10 (Establishment of Korean branch offices of foreign news agencies) |
| (1) | Any person who wishes to establish a branch office or bureau of a foreign news agency in Korea pursuant to Article 9-5 (1) of the Act shall submit an application for the registration of a branch (or bureau) of a foreign news agency in the attached Form No. 4 (including an application in electronic document), attached with the following documents (including electronic document), to the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism: |
| 1. | A copy of a contract for the establishment of a branch (bureau) with the headquarters of a foreign news agency, or documents evidencing the fact of such contract; |
| 2. | Deleted. <Jun. 30, 2016> |
| (2) | When a person who intends to establish a branch office or bureau of a foreign news agency pursuant to paragraph (1) files for the registration thereof, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall, without delay, issue a certificate of the registration of the branch office (bureau) of a foreign news agency in attached Form No. 5. |
| (3) | If a person who has registered a branch or bureau of a foreign news agency pursuant to paragraph (1) intends to change the registered details, he or she shall submit an application for the modified registration of a branch (or bureau) of a foreign news agency in attached Form No. 6 (including application in electronic document) to the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism by attaching the following documents (including electronic document): |
| 1. | Registration certificate of branch (bureau) of a foreign news agency; |
| 2. | If the terms and conditions of a contract for the establishment of a branch or bureau are changed, a copy of the contract or a document proving the fact of the contract; |
| 3. | Other proof documents regarding modifications. |
| (4) | When the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism registers any modifications of the branch or bureau of a foreign news agency pursuant to paragraph (3), he or she shall reissue the registration certificate of a foreign news agency branch (bureau) without delay. |
| (5) | A person who has established a branch or bureau of a foreign news agency in Korea shall, when the registration is revoked or the branch or bureau closes down in accordance with Article 9-5(2) of the Act, return the registration certificate of the branch (bureau) of a foreign new agency to the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism within 10 days from the date of revocation of registration or closure of business. |
[This Article Wholly Amended on Nov. 20, 2012]
| Article 11 (Scope of important foreign languages handled by Yonhap News Agency) |
"Important foreign languages prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 10(2)2 of the Act means languages determined by Yonhap News Agency within budgetary limits from among French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Arabic, Japanese, and German. [This Article Wholly Amended on Nov. 20, 2012]
| Article 12 (Composition of Editorial Committee) |
The specific method of organizing the Editorial Committee pursuant to Article 18-3(2) of the Act shall be determined through consultation between a person representing Yonhap News Agency and a person representing workers engaged in news gathering and production activities. [This Article Wholly Amended on Nov. 20, 2012]
| Article 13 (Conclusion of news information subscription contract) |
| (1) | Where the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism concludes a subscription contract with Yonhap News Agency all at once on behalf of the Government pursuant to Article 19(2) of the Act, the subscription fee and its rate shall be determined in consultation with the Minister of Planning and Budget. <Amended on Nov. 4, 2014; Dec. 30, 2025> |
| (2) | When concluding a subscription contract with Yonhap News Agency on behalf of the government pursuant to Article 19(2) of the Act, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall prepare a contract containing the purpose of the contract, details of service supply, subscription fee and rate, and details of calculation of subscription fee, etc. <Added on Nov. 4, 2014> |
[This Article Wholly Amended on Nov. 20, 2012]
| Article 14 (Contribution to news agency promotion fund) |
The contributions under Article 32(3) of the Act shall be set within the range of not less than 5/100 and not more than 10/100 of the operating profits of Yonhap News Agency in the year's settlement of accounts, but the specific amount shall be determined through consultation between Yonhap News Agency and the Korea News Agency Commission under Article 23 of the Act. [This Article Added on Dec. 7, 2009]
| Article 15 (Management of personally identifiable information) |
[This Article Wholly Amended on Aug. 6, 2014]
| Article 18 (Re-examination of regulation) |
The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall examine the appropriateness of the requirements and procedures for the registration of a news communications business under Article 5 every three years (referring to the period that ends on the day before January 1 of every third year) based on January 1, 2014, and shall take measures, such as making improvements. [This Article Added on Dec. 30, 2013]
| Article 17 (Standards for imposition of administrative fines) |
The standards for imposing administrative fines under Article 37(1) of the Act are as specified in the Appendix. [This Article Added on Aug. 27, 2019]
ADDENDA <Presidential Decree No. 18153, Dec. 3, 2003>
ADDENDA <Presidential Decree No. 20836, Jun. 20, 2008>
This Decree shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
Article 2 Deleted. <Jun. 20, 2008>
ADDENDUM <Presidential Decree No. 18312, Mar. 17, 2004>
This Decree shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDUM <Presidential Decree No. 19507, Jun. 12, 2006>
This Decree shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDA <Presidential Decree No. 20676, Feb. 29, 2008>
Article 1 (Enforcement date)
This Decree shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDA <Presidential Decree No. 20836, Jun. 20, 2008>
Article 1 (Enforcement date)
This Decree shall enter into force on June 22, 2008.
Article 2 Deleted. <Dec. 7, 2009>
ADDENDUM <Presidential Decree No. 21873, Dec. 7, 2009>
This Decree shall enter into force on December 10, 2009.
ADDENDUM <Presidential Decree No. 22003, Jan. 27, 2010>
Article 1 (Enforcement date)
This Decree shall enter into force on February 1, 2010.
ADDENDUM <Presidential Decree No. 22151, May 4, 2010>
Article 1 (Enforcement date)
This Decree shall enter into force on May 5, 2010.
ADDENDA <Presidential Decree No. 22424, Oct. 1, 2010>
Article 1 (Enforcement date)
This Decree shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDUM <Presidential Decree No. 24183, Nov. 20, 2012>
This Decree shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDUM <Presidential Decree No. 25050, Dec. 30, 2013>
This Decree shall enter into force on January 1, 2014. (Proviso Omitted.)
ADDENDUM <Presidential Decree No. 25532, Aug. 6, 2014>
This Decree shall enter into force on August 7, 2014.
ADDENDUM <Presidential Decree No. 25696, Nov. 4, 2014>
This Decree shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDUM <Presidential Decree No. 27129, May 10, 2016>
This Decree shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDA <Presidential Decree No. 27299, Jun. 30, 2016>
Article 1 (Enforcement date)
This Decree shall enter into force on July 1, 2016. (Proviso Omitted.)
ADDENDUM <Presidential Decree No. 30059, Aug. 27, 2019>
This Decree shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDUM <Presidential Decree No. 33416, Apr. 18, 2023>
This Decree shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDUM <Presidential Decree No. 34767, Jul. 30, 2024>
This Decree shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDA <Enforcement Decree No. 35948, Dec. 30, 2025>
Article 1 (Enforcement date)
This Decree shall enter into force on January 2, 2026; provided, among Presidential Decrees amended pursuant to Article 4 of the Addenda, the amended provisions of Presidential Decrees that were promulgated before this Decree enters into force but the enforcement dates of which have not yet arrived shall enter into force on the enforcement dates of relevant Presidential Decrees, respectively.