[Edaily Reporter Kim Hyun-ah ] Residents affected by this summer’s torrential rains in Andong and Uiseong, North Gyeongsang Province, and Geoje and Tongyeong, South Gyeongsang Province—areas designated as special disaster zones—will receive reductions on their TV license fees and pay-TV subscription fees.

The Korea Communications Commission (KCC; Chairman Kim Jong-cheol) held its “32nd Plenary Session of 2026” on the 2nd and resolved to exempt residents in Iljik-myeon, Namseon-myeon, and Imha-myeon in Andong City, North Gyeongsang Province, as well as Danchon-myeon in Uiseong County—areas declared special disaster zones due to heavy rains last July—from TV license fees for two months.

This license fee exemption is based on Article 64 of the Broadcasting Act and Article 44 of the Enforcement Decree of the Broadcasting Act. Whether to grant a license fee exemption to residents affected by disasters, such as those in Special Disaster Areas, and the duration of such exemptions are determined through deliberation and resolution by the Commission.

The Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission and the Korea Broadcasting System (KBS) have provided license fee exemptions a total of 22 times since 2000 to alleviate the financial burden on disaster-affected residents and support recovery efforts.

The Korea Communications Commission also plans to approve license fee exemptions for Geoje City in South Gyeongsang Province and Sanyang-eup and Bongpyeong-dong in Tongyeong City—areas affected by heavy rains last August—as soon as the damage assessment is completed.

Pay-TV subscription fees will also be reduced.

The Commission has consulted with pay-TV providers on fee reduction measures to help residents affected by the heavy rains return to normal life as soon as possible, and three IPTV providers— KTCorporation(030200), SK Broadband, andLG Uplus(032640) —as well as KT Skylife Co., Ltd. and LG HelloVision(037560)have agreed to participate.

Accordingly, residents affected in a total of seven areas—Iljik-myeon, Namseon-myeon, and Imha-myeon in Andong City, North Gyeongsang Province; Danchon-myeon in Uiseong County; Geoje City in South Gyeongsang Province; and Sanyang-eup and Bongpyeong-dong in Tongyeong City—will receive a 50% reduction on their monthly pay-TV service fees for one month.

Kim Jong-cheol, Chairman of the Broadcasting and Media Commission, stated, “We hope this measure will provide some comfort and financial relief to residents who are facing hardships due to sudden disasters,” adding, “We will continue to provide support to ensure the swift recovery and return to normal life for disaster-affected residents.”