The government will allow online streaming services to rate their own content based on age appropriateness starting May in an effort to streamline the distribution process amid rising competition in the content industry, the chairperson of Korea’s rating authority said Tuesday.

Under current laws, without a rating given by the Korea Media Rating Board (KMRB,) video contents cannot be distributed. This is why viewers in Korea sometimes have to wait several weeks before new content is made available to them on streaming service platforms.

With a new independent rating system for video content on streaming services, the old method of all video content on streaming services having to go through ratings screenings by the KMRB will be amended. Streaming service companies will be independently rating their own content, which will go through audits by the ratings authorities regularly, according to the KMRB.

“The implementation of an independent rating system such as this will be a game-changer for streaming service providers as they will be able to release content without time restrictions from going through ratings processes, and will also allow viewers to watch anything released anywhere in the world simultaneously,” said Chai Yoon-hee, chairperson of the KMRB, during the policy briefing Tuesday.

“As there are concerns that this system will bring out more harmful content on streaming platforms, we will do our best to ensure that the self-rating system is well established.”

The first rounds of selection for streaming service companies eligible for the independent rating system will be announced in May, according to the Culture Ministry and the KMRB.

The selections will be made in three rounds until the end of this year to ensure a stable and stage-based operation of the independent ratings system, and the results of the first selection of companies will also be announced in May.

Companies eligible for the selection process include online video service providers — generally known as streaming services such as Netflix — general wireline broadcasters, satellite broadcasters and internet multimedia broadcasting (IPTV) providers. Applications will be accepted once the amendment to the Promotion of the Motion Pictures and Video Productions Act goes into effect on March 28.

Operators selected for the independent rating system must ensure that personnel in charge of overseeing ratings are designated to their due positions within the company, that these personnel complete training a minimum of twice a year under the supervision of the KMRB, and that business compliance requirements set forth in the amendment are followed.

When compliance requirements are not met or the ratings given independently to video content are not given according to guidelines, the selection status for the independent ratings system on providers can be annulled by the KMRB. Annulment of selection status will be decided through an investigatory board and careful audit, according to the KMRB.

Ratings for content on streaming services and how to regulate harmful content while still providing works in a timely manner is becoming more urgent with the surge of streaming services, said Roh Seung-o, chief director of the policy development division at KMRB.

“We are now at an age where, when we meet friends, all we talk about is what we have seen on streaming service providers,” said Roh. “In such an age, it is important to discuss how we will regulate and rate the content we watch on streaming service platforms.”

BY LIM JEONG-WON [lim.jeongwon@joongang.co.kr]