South Korea's Broadcasting Media Communication Commission will waive TV licence fees for 2 months for residents in some areas of South Gyeongsang and South Jeolla that were declared special disaster areas after heavy rain in August. It will also reduce pay-TV charges for 1 month.

The commission said on Oct. 26 it held its 45th plenary meeting in writing and approved the licence-fee waiver for flood victims in three areas, including Geoje and Tongyeong in South Gyeongsang and Baeksu-eup in Yeonggwang County, South Jeolla.

Those eligible are residents in the areas whose disaster damage is confirmed. If verified by local governments, TV licence fees will be waived for 2 months without a separate application.

Pay-TV operators will also take part in the fee reduction. IPTV operators KT, SK Broadband and LG Uplus, cable TV operators LG HelloVision and CMB, and KT SkyLife will cut monthly charges for affected residents for 1 month.

The measure is intended to reduce the financial burden on residents in special disaster areas and support their return to normal life.

The commission and KBS have implemented licence-fee waivers for disaster areas a total of 23 times since 2000. The commission plans to continue pursuing support measures for disaster victims.