The Korean Broadcasting System(KBS; Hangul: 한국방송공사; Hanja: 韓國放送公社; Hanguk Bangsong Gongsa) is one of the biggest South Korean television networks. It was established in 1927. KBS headquarters are in the Yeouido district of Seoul.
The purposes of KBS can be divided into 3 parts.
KBS started the country's first radio broadcasting service in 1927 as Kyeongseong Broadcasting Corporation (JODK). After liberation, it changed the name to Seoul Central Broadcasting Station in 1947. It launched Korea's first television broadcasting service in 1961.
A system of public broadcasting was established in 1973. For reinforcement of public management, 1TV and Radio1 have not run a commercial since October 1994. First broadcasting HD programs in 2001, KBS completely changed to digital broadcasting in 2012. There are 18 regional stations and 11 overseas branches. There are eight subsidiary companies such as KBSN, KBS Business and KBS Media, which manage KBS content.
KBS is run by public funds from the South Korean government.