Lack of Policy Discussions on Media Privatization in South Korea: The Case of YTN’s Privatization

abstract: This commentary discusses the recent privatization of YTN, a South Korean 24-hour news channel. Through an exploration of the historical and political economic context around YTN and its relationship with political powers, it highlights the challenges the network faces in maintaining editorial independence. Based on news articles about the privatization of YTN published by South Korean media, the commentary points out that public discourse surrounding the topic has predominantly revolved around political conflicts, lacking in-depth discussions on policies to safeguard YTN’s editorial autonomy. By presenting these preliminary observations, this commentary invites scholars to engage in conversations about the South Korean media industry and the policies needed to preserve journalistic integrity amid privatization efforts.