A bill to establish the Korea Broadcasting Media Communications Promotion Institute by merging the Korea Broadcast Advertising Corp (Kobaco) and the Korea Communications Media Foundation (KCMF) has passed the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee.

The committee approved related bills at a full meeting on Tuesday, including an amendment to the Framework Act on Broadcasting and Communications Development that provides the legal basis for establishing the institute, the National Assembly said.

The institute would combine Kobaco and the KCMF. It would be responsible for promoting the broadcasting, media and communications industries and supporting policy, boosting broadcast advertising and protecting viewers’ rights.

Some broadcasting, media and communications projects scattered across affiliated and related agencies under the Ministry of Science and ICT would also be transferred to the institute. The 대상 includes some projects carried out by the Korea Communications Agency (KCA), the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA) and the National Information Society Agency (NIA).

If the bill passes a plenary session, the institute would be set to launch in January next year. The amendment would take effect on Jan. 1, 2027, and it calls for the formation of a founding committee under the Broadcasting Media Communications Committee immediately after promulgation to begin launch preparations, including transferring organisations, staffing and projects.

The bills earlier passed the National Assembly’s Science and ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee, but action was postponed once during the judiciary committee’s review. Issues raised included the possibility of retroactive legislation over provisions in a revised Broadcasting Act on universal viewing rights for nationally watched events such as the Olympics and the World Cup.

With the institute’s launch approaching, the organisations to be merged have also raised problems related to securing staffing and funding. Kobaco, unions at the KCMF and others say detailed organisational and financial measures are needed to match the tasks to be transferred.