Kwon Jun-seok, JTBC Broadcasting Director: "We are well aware of the concerns regarding Korean football" [On the Scene]

*This content was translated by AI.

Kwon Jun-seok, JTBC Broadcasting Director, addressed concerns regarding Korean football.

On the morning of the 21st, JTBC held a press conference for the JTBC <2026 FIFA North, Central America and Caribbean World Cup> at the Grand Ballroom on the 2nd floor of the Ambassador Seoul Fullman Hotel. Attending were JTBC Broadcasting Director Kwon Jun-seok, casters Bae Sung-jae, Lee Gwang-yong, and Jeong Yong-geom, as well as commentators Park Ji-sung, Kim Hwan, and Lee Ju-heon.

First, Director Kwon Jun-seok stated, "As this year's World Cup is the largest in history, we are preparing a rich and differentiated broadcast. We will provide live coverage of all 104 matches and also air 'Today's World Cup Highlights.' We are also preparing various special programs, including a World Cup Preview Show, 'Cha Park Road' featuring Cha Bum-kun and Park Ji-sung, and a special documentary."

He continued, "Major football stars and our broadcast team will appear on JTBC's major variety shows to convey the World Cup fever. We also plan to collaborate with major football creators and organize on-site cheering events." Director Kwon Jun-seok added, "We are well aware of the concerns regarding Korean football, and it is our role to effectively convey the players' efforts."

Previously, JTBC announced that it had confirmed a joint broadcast with KBS for the 2026 North, Central America and Caribbean World Cup.

JTBC secured broadcasting rights for approximately $125 million (about 190 billion won) and proposed a plan to bear half of the amount after deducting digital resale revenue, with the remaining costs shared by the three terrestrial broadcasters (approximately 16.7% each). However, negotiations faced difficulties. Subsequently, JTBC presented terms of approximately 14 billion won to each broadcaster, and KBS accepted the offer.

The 2026 North, Central America and Caribbean World Cup is the first tournament in history to be jointly hosted by three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It is also the largest World Cup in history, expanded to a 48-team format with a total of 104 matches. The tournament opens on June 11 and runs until July 19.

South Korea has been drawn into Group A alongside Mexico, South Africa, and the Czech Republic. The team will begin its group stage schedule with its first match against the Czech Republic on June 12 at 11 a.m. (Korean time).

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*This content was translated by AI.