Presidential Office: "Passage of Broadcasting Act Resolves Long-Standing Public Broadcaster Governance Issue"

Lee Kyuyon, Chief of Public Relations and Communication at the Presidential Office, is making a commentary on the Broadcasting Act on the 6th at the Presidential Office building in Yongsan, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

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The Presidential Office commented on the Broadcasting Act revision bill, which passed the National Assembly led by the Democratic Party of Korea, stating that "the long-standing task of institutionalizing the governance structure of public broadcasters has finally been resolved."

On the 6th, Lee Kyuyon, Chief of Public Relations and Communication at the Presidential Office, issued a commentary on the Broadcasting Act revision bill in the briefing room of the Presidential Office in Yongsan. He stated, "This is in line with the government's philosophy of returning public broadcasting to the people." Lee emphasized, "I believe this is a very important first step in resolving the long-standing task of revitalizing the institutional governance of public broadcasters," and added, "We will make every effort to handle follow-up measures, such as revising the Broadcasting Act regulations, both prudently and swiftly."

On the 5th, the National Assembly passed the Broadcasting Act revision bill, one of the three broadcasting-related bills promoted by the Democratic Party of Korea. The main points of the revision are to have a committee of at least 100 citizens recommend candidates for the heads of public broadcasters, and to change both the number of board members and the method of their selection.

Lee explained, "Until now, the heads of public broadcasters were implicitly appointed by political circles," and added, "From now on, the appointment will be made from among candidates recommended by a committee of at least 100 citizens." He continued, "The proportion of KBS board members recommended 100% by political parties will also be reduced to 40%," and argued, "As a result, the influence of the government and political circles over public broadcasters will be greatly reduced, leading to a significant strengthening of the independence of broadcasting and viewers' rights."

Regarding the supplementary provision that requires the replacement of the board members and heads of public broadcasters within three months after the law's passage, Lee said, "There are aspects that need to be expedited," and added, "We are faced with the task of enacting follow-up legislation to the Broadcasting Act revision bill." When asked whether the provision to replace the CEO of a private news channel might conflict with the Commercial Act, which stipulates shareholders' rights, Lee replied, "It is not something that was overlooked. I understand that lawmakers thoroughly reviewed this during the legislative process."

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