Prosecution Indicts Former MBC President Choi Seung-ho Over 'MBC Blacklist Allegations'

by Park Joonyi

Published 12 Apr.2023 20:22(KST)

Updated 13 Apr.2023 07:17(KST)

Non-Detention Indictment on Charges of Violating the Labor Union Act

Choi Seung-ho (62), former MBC president, has been brought to trial over allegations of giving disadvantages to reporters who did not participate in the 2017 strike, the so-called 'MBC blacklist suspicion.'

The Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office indicted Choi, former head of the news division, news bureau chief, and four other former executives and managers without detention on charges of violating the Labor Union Act on the 12th.

According to the prosecution, they are accused of giving personnel disadvantages such as excluding reporters from coverage duties because they belonged to a specific union or were non-union members of another union.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Labor Union Act stipulates that unfair labor practices such as dismissal or disadvantages due to union membership, organization, or other union activities are punishable by imprisonment of up to two years or a fine of up to 20 million won.

The prosecution decided not to indict on suspicions that Choi and others conducted unfair labor practices by investigating employees belonging to specific unions through the 'MBC Normalization Committee' and recalling non-union correspondents early, citing insufficient evidence.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor received complaints and accusations that Choi and others gave personnel disadvantages to 88 reporters who did not participate in the 2017 strike and referred them to the prosecution last November with some indictable opinions.