Lee Jae-myung Calls for Reforms to Ensure Public Access to Olympic Broadcasts

President Lee Jae-myung speaks during a Cabinet meeting at Cheong Wa Dae on Feb. 24. [Photo by the Cheong Wa Dae press pool]

President Lee Jae-myung said Feb. 24 that South Korea needs institutional reforms to broadly guarantee public access to broadcasts of major international sporting events, including the Olympics and FIFA World Cup, amid ongoing disputes over media rights.

Speaking at a Cabinet meeting he chaired at Cheong Wa Dae, Lee cited the results of the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, which ended Feb. 23, saying he regretted that public enthusiasm did not build enough compared with the past despite the determination and performances of South Korean athletes.

Lee did not cite a specific cause, but his remarks were widely interpreted as pointing to the debate over JTBC’s exclusive coverage.

JTBC previously secured exclusive broadcast rights for the 2026-2032 Summer and Winter Olympics and the 2025-2030 World Cup, then held talks to resell rights to the three terrestrial broadcasters. The negotiations collapsed, and JTBC aired this year’s Winter Olympics exclusively.

Lee praised the Olympic delegation, saying their “passionate challenge” gave the public deep inspiration and pride and that there were meaningful achievements in sports diplomacy as well.

He also thanked the athletes and support staff for delivering a memorable winter to the public with what he called the “Team Korea spirit,” and led applause.

* This article has been translated by AI.

Kang Sang Heon