'Violation of Labor Standards Act' Fine Confirmed for Former KBS President Yang Seung-dong

Yang Seung-dong, President of KBS, is attending the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Committee's audit on the Korea Broadcasting System held at the National Assembly on the 12th, providing a work report. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The fine imposed on former KBS President Yang Seung-dong, who was indicted for enacting the operating regulations of the KBS 'Truth and Future Committee' without obtaining the consent of its members, has been finalized.

The Supreme Court's 2nd Division (Presiding Justice Cho Jae-yeon) dismissed Yang's appeal on the 14th regarding the violation of the Labor Standards Act and confirmed the fine of 3 million won.

Yang was accused of not sufficiently obtaining the consent of members during the process of enacting the operating regulations of the Truth and Future Committee, which was established in 2018 to normalize KBS. The conservative-leaning KBS Public Union reported to the Ministry of Employment and Labor that the management included disciplinary measures unfavorable to employees in the regulations and conducted retaliatory disciplinary actions by investigating past reports.

Both the first and second trials found Yang guilty and sentenced him to a fine of 3 million won. The first trial court stated, "The concept of 'fairness and independence of broadcasting' can vary depending on perspective and there is a risk that it could be abused as a means to suppress previous management or opposition." The second trial court upheld the same judgment.

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