KOIS Spent Two Billion Won for Two Months on Publicizing Capital Relocation

The Korean Overseas Information Services (KOIS) spent 1.9865 billion won in publicity costs concerning the relocation of the capital city in July and August, when the public opinion against the relocation was in full swing.

For advertisement costs, KOIS spent 854.6 million won on TV; 233.1 million won on the subway; and 228 million won on the radio, according to a report presented by Lawmaker Sim Jae-cheol of the Grand National Party (GNP), who is a member of the National Assembly Culture and Tourism Committee. KOIS spent more money for advertisements: 175.7 million won on free newspapers; 93.5 million won on the Internet; 50 million won on making and distributing brochures; and 292.1 million won on the overall planning and production cost of advertisements.

During the same period, KOIS ran ads about capital relocation on 114 external electric bulletin boards across the country, like it did in November and December last year. KOIS, however, did not pay costs because the ads were categorized as public service advertising.

“KOIS’ expenditures on publicity and advertisement on the capital relocation could reach 2.4 billion won this year, combining 1.9865 billion won that has already been spent and 400 million won of the budget that is allocated for newspaper ads,” said the lawmaker.

Seung-Heon Lee ddr@donga.com