By Kim Bo-eun
The management and union of state-run broadcaster KBS have reached a tentative agreement to stop a strike which has lasted for over three months.
The two sides said Wednesday that they have agreed on such issues as the establishment of an independent broadcasting commission, the revival of its investigative reporting team and the abolition of the President’s radio speech.
If the unionists return to work, KBS is likely to resume normal operations next week.
There are concerns that if KBS staff go back to work it is bound to weaken the solidarity of the joint strike with fellow broadcasters MBC, YTN and the Yonhap News Agency.
However, Lee Kang-taek, chairman of the National Union of Media Workers thinks it could be positive, saying “If KBS unionists return to work and report on media dominance it will be a great help to the other media companies on strike.”
KBS joined the combined strike on March 6, which was initiated to demand the government allow broadcasters to conduct fair and unbiased reporting free from government influence.
Workers at KBS have also been pressing for the resignation of Kim In-kyu, head of KBS, who used to be a media advisor to President Lee.
Under the tentative agreement, the unionists agreed to drop their demand that Kim to step down.