LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug 27, 2025--
South Korea is rapidly establishing itself as one of the world’s most dynamic markets for Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV (FAST), according to new research from Omdia. The country is set to become the 12th largest global FAST market by 2030, with revenues projected to double from $23 million in 2024 to $48 million.
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Speaking at the International Streaming Festival in Busan, Maria Rua Aguete, Senior Director at Omdia, said: “Korean content has never been stronger - on FAST and subscription services - and Netflix has been the biggest amplifier of that story worldwide. This popularity in subscription video on demand is now driving the growth of Korean FAST channels globally.”
Market Momentum in Korea
Since the launch of Samsung TV Plus in 2015, South Korea’s FAST market has developed at pace. Today:
This growth positions South Korea as the third-largest FAST market in Asia Pacific, behind only Australia and Japan.
Netflix: A Global Catalyst for K-Content
Netflix has been instrumental in elevating Korean programming worldwide:
“Netflix is the global ambassador for K-content,” added Rua Aguete. “As we saw with Spain’s Money Heist, when one streamer leads, others follow. This rising global demand directly benefits FAST, where Korean series and formats are gaining ground on ad-supported platforms worldwide.”
Government Backing the Next Korean Wave
The Korean government has pledged ₩1 trillion ($720 million) under its K-OTT Industry Global Competitiveness Strengthening Strategy to support domestic OTT services, including FAST.
Additionally, the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Association for ICT Promotion have launched the Global K-FAST Alliance to expand Korean FAST channels internationally.
“The government sees FAST as the next chapter of the Korean Wave,” Rua Aguete noted. “Korea now has the perfect storm: a thriving presence in both pay and free TV markets, supported by global demand and local investment.”
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South Korea will be one of the top 12 markets for FAST
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A South Korean court sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to five years in prison Friday in the first verdict from eight criminal trials over the martial law debacle that forced him out of office and other allegations.
Yoon was impeached, arrested and dismissed as president after his short-lived imposition of martial law in December 2024 triggered huge public protests calling for his ouster.
The most significant criminal charge against him alleges that his martial law enforcement amounted to a rebellion, and the independent counsel has requested the death sentence in the case that is to be decided in a ruling next month.
In Friday's case, the Seoul Central District Court sentenced Yoon for defying attempts to detain him, fabricating the martial law proclamation and sidestepping a legally mandated full Cabinet meeting.
Yoon has maintained he didn’t intend to place the country under military rule for an extended period, saying his decree was only meant to inform the people about the danger of the liberal-controlled parliament obstructing his agenda. But investigators have viewed Yoon’s decree as an attempt to bolster and prolong his rule, charging him with rebellion, abuse of power and other criminal offenses.
Judge Baek Dae-hyun said in the televised ruling that imposing “a grave punishment” was necessary because Yoon hasn’t shown remorse and has only repeated “hard-to-comprehend excuses.” The judge also restoring legal systems damaged by Yoon’s action was necessary.
Yoon, who can appeal the ruling, hasn’t immediately publicly responded to the ruling. But when the independent counsel demanded a 10-year prison term in the case, Yoon’s defense team accused them of being politically driven and lacking legal grounds to demand such “an excessive” sentence.
Prison sentences in the multiple, smaller trials Yoon faces would matter if he is spared the death penalty or life imprisonment at the rebellion trial.
Park SungBae, a lawyer who specializes in criminal law, said there is little chance the court would decide Yoon should face the death penalty in the rebellion case. He said the court will likely issue a life sentence or a sentence of 30 years or more in prison.
South Korea has maintained a de facto moratorium on executions since 1997 and courts rarely hand down death sentences. Park said the court would take into account that Yoon’s decree didn’t cause casualties and didn’t last long, although Yoon hasn’t shown genuine remorse for his action.
A supporter of former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol shouts slogans outside Seoul Central District Court, in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
Supporters of former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol hold signs and flags outside Seoul Central District Court, in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
A supporter of former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol waits for a bus carrying former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol outside Seoul Central District Court, in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
Supporters of former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol hold signs as police officers stand guard outside Seoul Central District Court, in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
Supporters of former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol hold signs and flags outside Seoul Central District Court, in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
Supporters of former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol hold signs outside Seoul Central District Court, in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
A picture of former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is placed on a board as supporters gather outside Seoul Central District Court, in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
