South Korea’s media regulator is to allow English FM radio channels to broadcast in other languages, according to a recent report in the Korea Herald.

The decision, from the Korea Communications Commission, comes as the country experiences a rapid growth in the number of foreign workers.

Over the past decade, English language stations have sprung up in the capital Seoul as well as the other major cities of Busan and Gwangju.

But now they will be allowed to schedule non English programmes, depending on the ratio of speakers of other foreign languages in their broadcast area.

Local media says that Chinese language shows are likely to be among the first non-English programming to hit the air, reflecting the large number of Chinese speakers living in South Korea.