The Korea Communications Commission (KCC) has imposed a fine of about two billion won on SBS for monopolizing the relay of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The commission held a plenary session on Friday, deciding to levy SBS with a fine of one-point-97 billion won.

The commission said the broadcaster violated the viewing rights of the public and neglected the commission’s recommendation that the nation’s three terrestrial broadcasters hold sincere negotiations on the sharing of broadcasting rights. The KCC said SBS also refused KBS's proposal for direct negotiations.

SBS on Thursday filed an administrative suit, claiming that the broadcasting law which permits forceful sale of broadcasting rights is a violation of the Constitution.