MBC president fired, workers set to return

Kim Yeon-guk, leader of MBC's union, speaks to members at its headquarters in western Seoul, Tuesday, after Kim Jang-gyeom was removed as president of the company. / Yonhap

By Jung Min-ho

MBC President and CEO Kim Jang-gyeom was sacked at a shareholders’ meeting, Monday, as journalists and producers prepare to return to work after a 70-day strike.

A few hours after the Foundation for Broadcast Culture, MBC’s largest shareholder, passed a motion on Kim's dismissal for his highly biased control of the station’s news coverage, the shareholders finalized the process to open a new era for the country’s second-largest public broadcaster.

“The current government has been so determined to take control of public broadcasters,” Kim said in a statement after the decision. “I am sorry I could not protect MBC from the government’s power … I hope I will be the last victim.”

But hundreds of MBC workers, who have been on strike since Sept. 4, see it differently. They believe Kim was the very symbol of a government-controlled media, which they say has destroyed MBC’s credibility and reputation during the past two right-wing governments.

“We have finally laid a foundation to rebuild MBC as a trustworthy broadcaster,” its union said. “Over the past seven years, lawlessness ruled the company. No freedom of expression. No labor rights.”

Union members plan to end their strike as early as Wednesday, though some will continue to fight over the management of some programs.

This is good news for fans of popular shows such as “Infinite Challenge” and “Radio Star,” which will return soon.

The strike has profoundly affected the production and operations of many shows and news programs. The company has even aired prerecorded news because it has been unable to produce live news since late September.

All political parties, except two conservative ones ― Liberty Korea Party and Bareun Party ― welcomed the decision to remove Kim.

“Politics should not damage press freedom,” said Rep. Je Youn-kyung, floor spokeswoman of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK). “We hope MBC will regain public trust and return to where it used to be.”

The prosecution will continue to investigate MBC’s alleged illegal activities which occurred during Kim’s term.

Over the past few weeks, the prosecution has been looking into Kim Jae-chul, a former MBC president and CEO who is suspected of removing journalists and producers critical of then-President Lee Myung-bak in cooperation with the National Intelligence Service.

His successor, Ahn Kwang-han, carried on his legacy until Kim Jang-gyeom took the post this past February, one month before Park Geun-hye was ousted from the presidency over a massive influence-peddling scandal.