KISDI Proposes Reforms to Programming Regulations and Recognition Criteria to Revitalize Korea’s Animation Industry (detail)

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KISDI ICT Convergence Policy Research (KMCC-2025-30): A Study on Rationalizing Programming Regulations and Recognition Criteria for Domestically Produced Animation

KISDI Proposes Reforms to Programming Regulations and Recognition Criteria to Revitalize Korea’s Animation Industry
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▲ Adjustment of children's peak viewing hours and programming quota thresholds
▲ Relaxation of domestic equity requirements for multinational co-productions
▲ Recommendation for a long-term transition to an incentive-based policy model reflecting changes in the media environment

The Korea Information Society Development Institute (KISDI, President Sangkyu Rhee) recently published its ICT Convergence Policy Research Report (KMCC-2025-30), *A Study on Rationalizing Programming Regulations and Recognition Criteria for Domestically Produced Animation*, which examines the limitations of current programming regulations for broadcast animation and presents policy recommendations to strengthen the competitiveness of Korea’s animation industry.

The report argues that, in response to the rapidly evolving media environment, Korea should improve the effectiveness of broadcast programming regulations and update the recognition criteria for domestically produced animation. It also recommends shifting the current policy framework from mandatory programming quotas to an incentive-based point system that rewards broadcasters and production companies based on content quality and performance.

The animation industry is a high value-added content sector that contributes to growth across related industries while fostering cultural value for audiences of all ages. As digital platforms such as OTT services and YouTube continue to grow rapidly and traditional television viewership declines, the report reviews the effectiveness of existing animation programming regulations and proposes both short-term and long-term policy improvements, along with broader institutional reforms that reflect changes in the broadcasting environment.

As a short-term measure, the report recommends revising the designated children's peak viewing hours, which receive weighted consideration under the programming regulations. Based on an analysis of actual viewing patterns among children aged 4 to 14, it proposes expanding the weighted time slots to include late afternoon hours and weekend daytime periods.

The report also recommends updating the broadcaster revenue brackets used to determine mandatory programming quotas for domestically produced animation. In particular, it proposes replacing the current uniform requirement that terrestrial broadcasters allocate 1% of their total broadcasting time to domestically produced animation with a differentiated quota based on broadcasters' revenue levels, consistent with the approach applied to other broadcasting platforms. According to the report, this revision would reduce regulatory blind spots while improving fairness and regulatory effectiveness across media platforms.

To reflect the growing number of international co-productions, the report further recommends updating the recognition criteria for domestically produced animation. It proposes lowering the minimum domestic equity participation requirement for multinational co-productions from 30% to 20% in order to facilitate international collaboration. The report also suggests revising the additional evaluation criteria to better reflect changes in the production environment.

Sung-Hee JOO, Fellow at KISDI, noted that the current quota-based regulatory framework has become a burden for both traditional broadcasters and animation producers facing increasing competition from digital platforms, ultimately limiting benefits for viewers as well.

Drawing on international practices, the report recommends introducing a long-term incentive-based system that evaluates content quality, employment creation, and global performance, awards points or credits accordingly, and links them to government support or tax incentives. Such a system would encourage industry participants to regard regulation as an investment rather than a mandatory obligation.

The report also emphasizes that animation policy should move beyond broadcast programming regulations toward an integrated policy framework encompassing production, investment, and distribution. Its key policy recommendations include:

* Redesigning children's programming time slots and weighting criteria based on actual viewing patterns
* Rationalizing programming quota thresholds based on broadcasters' revenue levels
* Relaxing recognition criteria to promote international co-productions
* Transitioning from quota-based regulation to a performance-based policy framework
* Expanding animation policy into an integrated content policy that includes OTT platforms

The report is available for download from the KISDI website ([www.kisdi.re.kr](http://www.kisdi.re.kr)).

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KISDI Proposes Reforms to Programming Regulations and Recognition Criteria to Revitalize Korea’s Animation Industry