Former KBS President Kim Ui-cheol Wins First Trial in 'Dismissal Cancellation Lawsuit'

by Lee Gwanju

Published 16 Jan.2025 10:26(KST)

A court ruling has been issued stating that the dismissal of Kim Ui-cheol, former president of the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS), must be canceled.

Kim Ui-cheol, former KBS President. Yonhap News

The Seoul Administrative Court, Administrative Division 5 (Chief Judge Kim Sun-yeol) ruled on the 16th in favor of the plaintiff in the lawsuit filed by former President Kim against President Yoon Suk-yeol seeking cancellation of the dismissal order.

Kim, who was appointed as KBS president in December 2021 during the Moon Jae-in administration, had an official term until December 2024.

However, after the inauguration of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, in September 2023, the KBS board of directors resolved to dismiss Kim, and President Yoon approved the dismissal proposal submitted by the board.

Five opposition members of the board left the meeting just before the vote, claiming Kim’s dismissal was unfair, but six members including Chairman Seo Ki-seok who participated in the vote approved it.

In response, former President Kim filed a cancellation lawsuit and requested a suspension of the dismissal’s effect. However, the suspension request was not accepted.