Kim Gap-su, Who Told Lawmaker Ji Seong-ho to "Know Your Place," Leaves KBS Program

Kim Gap-su's Controversial Remarks Spark Debate
Ji Seong-ho Responds: "Freedom of Expression Should Not Cross Into Insult"

Kim Gap-su, current affairs commentator. Photo by KBS, captured from 'Yeouido Sasageongeon'.

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Bong-ju] Kim Gap-su, a political commentator who caused controversy by telling Ji Seong-ho, a member of the Future United Party and a defector from North Korea, to "know your place" on a broadcast, has left the program.

On the 8th, Kim appeared on KBS1's current affairs and culture program 'Sasageongeon' and criticized the distribution of leaflets to North Korea by defector organizations, saying, "I have a word for a person named Ji Seong-ho. Know your place. Since we accepted you and even made you a lawmaker, don't say such things."

The next day, on the 9th, Ji posted on Facebook, "Freedom of expression is recognized for everyone, but I believe one should not insult others in a way that violates criminal law," adding, "What is harder to endure than the harsh human rights reality of the North Korean regime is being treated as an outsider like Kim the commentator said."

Furthermore, Ji urged KBS, saying, "I hope you do not forget your responsibility as a public broadcaster. Can a broadcast filled with unfiltered expressions be called a public broadcast?" and called for responsible measures regarding this issue.

In response, KBS stated, "Even during the broadcast, anchor Director Kim expressed regret over Mr. Kim's remarks and judged them inappropriate," explaining the reason for Kim's departure.

Ji defected from North Korea in 2006 and settled in South Korea. In 2010, he founded and worked with the North Korean human rights organization NAUH, and in the 2020 21st general election, he entered the National Assembly as a proportional representative of the Future Korea Party.

While working with NAUH to assist defection activities, Ji has argued that the leaflet controversy is about the "right to know" of North Korean residents.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.