Board Members Suggest Dismissal of MBC President
By Kwon Mee-yoo
Staff Reporter
Three board members of the Foundation for Broadcast Culture, the largest shareholder of MBC, submitted a proposal to its board that Ohm Ki-young be dismissed from his post as president of the nation's second largest broadcaster.
They held him responsible for removing Shin Kyung-min from the prime time news anchor post, claiming he has no right to lead the company as he lacks the will to protect the freedom of the press.
Kim Jeong-lan, a director of the foundation and professor of Sangji University, said she and two other board members submitted the proposal to fire Ohm and vice president Kim Se-young.
``Ohm does not have enough will to protect the freedom of press. He's unqualified to lead the public broadcasting firm,'' Kim said. ``It was obvious that there would be opposition from inside if the station changed the main anchor. However, he enforced the plan and it seems he lacks leadership as well.''
The board will deal with the proposal at a temporary meeting next week or the regular meeting on May 8.
The foundation board has eight members and more than five votes are needed to pass a proposal. If it does, it will be effective after a resolution at its shareholder meeting.
Meanwhile, the reporters who protested the replacement of Shin and boycotted production returned to work Thursday.