Seoul, South Korea – The National Assembly of South Korea has passed a revised Broadcasting Act that will reinstate the consolidated collection of television license fees. The bill, which was passed on December 26th with 161 votes in favor, 94 against, and 6 abstentions, will be enacted six months after its promulgation.

The revised act reverses a previous decision by the Broadcasting and Communications Commission to separate the collection of TV license fees from electricity bills. Under the new law, entities contracted to collect the fees, such as Korea Electric Power Corporation, will be able to include the license fee on electricity bills.

Proponents of the bill argue that consolidating the collection of TV license fees is essential to ensure the financial independence of public broadcasting. By streamlining the collection process, it is hoped that public broadcasters will be less reliant on government funding and special interest groups.