Seoul: South Korea's media watchdog said Tuesday it will seek a 34.6 billion-won (US$25.2 million) budget for 2027, up 13.2 percent from this year's budget.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the increased budget proposal is part of the Korea Media and Communications Commission's (KMCC) efforts to foster what it calls a "media basic society," aiming to ensure safe access and sharing of media benefits. The proposal includes a significant allocation for AI development, with 10 billion won dedicated to a project that will utilize stock footage from local broadcasters for AI training purposes.

Moreover, the budget will support the establishment and operation of a "transparency center." This center will focus on fact-checking and conducting related research, aligning with the recent revision to the Information and Communications Network Act. This act, enforced since early July, is designed to mitigate the spread of false information, reinforcing the commission's commitment to media integrity and accuracy.