Jun Ji-hye, a reporter at the finance desk of The Korea Times, focuses primarily on economic policy and government agencies, mainly covering the Ministry of Finance and Economy, the Ministry of Budget and Planning, the National Tax Service and the Korea Customs Service. She previously covered financial authorities, including the Financial Services Commission and the Financial Supervisory Service, and earlier worked on the political, city and business desks, reporting on a wide range of issues.
KBS President under pressure to quit
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Rep. You Seung-hee, second from right, of the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy, together with fellow lawmakers, announces a statement calling for the resignation of KBS President Gil Hwan-young at the National Assembly, Seoul, Sunday. Gil is embroiled in allegations that he attempted to control the newsroom of the broadcaster. / Yonhap
By Jun Ji-hye
By Jun Ji-hye
KBS President Gil Hwan-young is under pressure to step down over allegations that he has attempted to control the newsroom of the nation’s largest broadcaster.
Opposition lawmakers belonging to the National Assembly Broadcasting and Communications Committee called on Gil to resign, saying he has played a role as a sycophant to the administration, significantly damaging the independence of the newsroom.
The controversy came after former KBS newsroom chief Kim Si-gon revealed Friday that Gil has tried to control news output, citing the example that “He directed not to report former Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Yoon Chang-jung’s sexual harassment scandal as top news.”
When asked if there was any instruction from Cheong Wa Dae, Kim said, “Gil follows only one person ― the President.”
Kim made the revelation after offering to resign as newsroom chief a day after being embroiled in controversy over remarks belittling the ferry Sewol ferry disaster, which claimed the lives of hundreds passengers, mostly teenagers.
According to the KBS trade union, Kim said in a meeting with fellow workers that the number of victims of the disaster at over 300 was not much compared to annual fatalities from car accidents.
Making an apology for the controversy, Kim added: “Gil who has no values and belief about news bulletins has damaged the independence of the newsroom of the public broadcaster. He should immediately step down.”
Rep. Park Young-sun, newly elected floor leader of the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD), said Sunday that her party will hold a meeting today to exchange opinions over whether they should pressure Gil to quit at a party level.
“The NPAD has the sympathy with the anger of the relatives of the victims. We are also aware of the seriousness of the problems at KBS,” said Park.
Members of the ruling Saenuri Party made no response to the calls for the resignation of the KBS president.
Rep. Choi Min-hee, a NPAD member of the broadcasting committee, said, “If Gil, who has habitually produced pro-Cheong Wa Dae and governing party reports, keeps his position as CEO of the public television network, that will be a humiliation of the nation.”
Rep. You Seung-hee, also from the NPAD, argued that Gil was only interested in protecting President Park Geun-hye even while reporting the vessel tragedy, saying “That is unforgivable.”
“He intentionally produced distorted news coverage to curry favor with the President, hiding the despair and sadness of the families of the dead and missing,” said You.
Leadership of the leading opposition party raised the need for the overall reform of KBS.
Rep. Shin Kyoung-min, a member of the NPAD Supreme Council, said the core of the problem involved its management structure.
“If this is not resolved, controversial, improper situations will recur,” said Shin.
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