New Law Lets Registered Agencies Self-Rate Music Videos

South Korea’s Cabinet has approved an amendment to the Music Industry Promotion Act that lets qualified entertainment agencies and digital platforms classify their own music videos. Registered distributors will be able to release videos without waiting for a government review board’s rating, a change intended to reduce delays around digital music releases.

The new system requires participating distributors to appoint compliance officers, complete rating training and report their classifications before release. The policy retains a framework for oversight while shifting the initial rating responsibility to the distributors. The revised law is scheduled to take effect 12 months after it is officially promulgated.

Music videos have been subject to mandatory rating checks before distribution since 2012. The original requirement was introduced to protect minors from explicit sexual content, violence and dangerous behavior in visual media. The amendment changes that prescreening process, which has been seen as difficult to align with rapid online releases and coordinated launches.