Giant screens in Gwanghwamun, on which citizens watched important football matches and other sports and which had been in danger of being closed down after FIFA's broadcasting agent demanded a huge commission for relaying World Cup matches, will be able to broadcast matches as originally planned. Domestic broadcasting rights seller Korea Pool (KP), which purchased the rights from FIFA's agent, said Wednesday it decided to allow outdoor video screens owned and run by news corporations, including the Chosun Ilbo, to broadcast the opening and closing ceremonies and all South Korea's matches for an inexpensive price.

The commission to be paid by news corporations is reportedly priced at a similar level with that of non-central government bodies. An insider of KP said the decision came after FIFA decided the outdoor video screens run by media groups were public services rather than commercial businesses and instructed its agent accordingly. (Shin Dong-heun, dhshin@chosun.com )