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KBS's plan to raise TV license fee draws criticism
KBS headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul / Korea Times file
By Jun Ji-hye
By Jun Ji-hye
KBS, the country's public television and radio network, is facing widespread criticism after its board of directors decided to seek to raise the monthly TV license fee to 3,800 won ($3.36) from the current 2,500 won.
Objectors claimed that KBS doesn't deserve more money from viewers as it has not carried out its role as a public broadcaster properly.
The TV license fee is a quasi-tax used to operate the public broadcaster, thus everyone must pay it even if they do not watch its channels and programs ― payment is included in electricity bills.
On Wednesday, KBS's 11-member board passed the motion with nine in favor, one against and 1 abstention. The broadcaster is scheduled to submit the motion to the Korea Communications Commission (KCC) next week. After a review, the KCC must forward it to the National Assembly within 60 days, where it will be finalized if a plenary session votes in favor.
After passing the motion, the board said in its statement, “The TV license fee has been frozen for the past 41 years. We agreed with the need to adjust the fee to normalize the TV license fee system and become a broadcaster that has the public trust.”
KBS President Yang Seung-dong also said during a press conference, Thursday, that the broadcaster is making every effort to fulfill “our duties to ensure management transparency, expand viewers' participation, deliver unbiased news and protect people's safety,” noting that the firm could no longer delay raising the fee.
KBS President Yang Seung-dong speaks during a press conference held at KBS headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap
Many members of the public, however, are reacting against the move online.
“KBS is unqualified to receive more money as it has been a sycophant to the administration, and not fulfilled its role as a public broadcaster at all,” one commenter posted on a related news story on Naver.
Another citizen wrote, “KBS intends to raise salaries of its employees, who already receive high wages, by using taxpayers' money.”
Other commentators said they have not watched KBS's channels and programs in a long time, as there are more interesting and informative programs on over-the-top (OTT) media services such as Netflix.
Surveys show that a large number of people oppose hiking the TV license fee.
In a survey conducted in February by pollster Research View on 1,000 people, 76 percent of respondents were against the rise; while a Korea Research International survey commissioned by KBS showed 50.1 percent of 1,200 respondents believed the TV license fee should be lowered from the current 2,500 won.
Public opposition has abounded despite KBS previously announcing plans to reform its management structure and enhance its role as a public broadcaster, in addition to a plan to reduce its staff by 920 by the end of 2026, in a bid to convince the people of the need to raise the fee.
It also remains to be seen whether the Assembly will pass the fee increase as both ruling and opposition parties are expressing opposition.
Rep. Lee Won-wook from the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, who heads the National Assembly Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee, wrote on Facebook, “A more urgent task for KBS is to restore its reputation and role as a public broadcaster. KBS should immediately stop its move to raise the TV license fee.”
The main opposition People Power Party accused the broadcaster of bias, issuing a statement that said, “KBS is asking for a raise in the license fee while neglecting the viewers' disappointment in its poor programs and partiality.”