South Korean regulator names four public-broadcasting directors, nominates two for KBS
In short
South Korea's broadcasting and media communications regulator approved four board appointments and two KBS director nominations on October 15. All six were recommended by the People Power Party; the four direct appointments take effect on October 19, while the KBS nominees require presidential appointment.
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South Korea's broadcasting and media communications regulator approved appointments and nominations for six public-broadcasting directors recommended by the People Power Party on October 15. At its 42nd plenary meeting at the government complex in Gwacheon, it recommended two people to the president for appointment to KBS and directly appointed two directors each to the Foundation for Broadcast Culture (방송문화진흥회) and EBS. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]
The KBS nominees are Lee Gang-deok (이강덕), who chairs the Kwanhun Club's Jeong Sin-yeong fund, and former KBS Business president Jang Han-sik (장한식). KBS directors must be appointed by the president after the regulator's recommendation. The Foundation for Broadcast Culture, MBC's major shareholder, will receive Oh Jeong-hwan (오정환), a former co-representative of a media advocacy group, and lawyer Jeong Jae-uk (정재욱). [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
The EBS directors are Park Gi-wan (박기완), a former head of KBS's Wonju station, and Jo Han-je (조한제), a former standing auditor at BEXCO. The four appointments to EBS and the foundation take effect on October 19. The regulator also approved Kim Jang-hwan (김장환) as EBS auditor, following a recommendation from the EBS board, with his appointment taking effect the same day. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]
The selections follow revised broadcasting laws that changed board composition and nomination procedures. The regulator again urged the KBS viewers' committee and a majority of KBS employees to submit their candidates promptly. Those groups have nomination rights for two and three seats respectively. Hankook Ilbo reported that the latest appointments would bring the foundation and EBS boards to their full complement of 13 members each. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
Why it matters
The decisions advance public-broadcaster board formation under revised broadcasting laws. The regulator again urged the KBS viewers' committee and a majority of KBS employees to submit their remaining nominations.
Key facts
- The regulator approved two KBS director nominations and appointed two directors each to the Foundation for Broadcast Culture and EBS. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- All six director candidates were recommended by the People Power Party. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- The four directly appointed directors take office on October 19; KBS directors are appointed by the president following the regulator's recommendation. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 , 6 ]
- The KBS viewers' committee and a majority of employees have yet to submit nominees for two and three seats respectively. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- The regulator also approved Kim Jang-hwan (김장환) as EBS auditor from October 19. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- No open questions in the coverage so far.