"Is Gyeonggi Broadcasting's Closure Really Due to 'Questions'?" Gyeonggi Broadcasting Union Demands Explanation from Kim Yeryeong

Kim Ye-ryeong, former Gyeonggi Broadcasting reporter, attending President Moon Jae-in's New Year's press conference held at the Blue House's Yeongbingwan on January 10 last year / Photo by JTBC Broadcast Capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Shinwon Yoon] Workers affiliated with Gyeonggi Broadcasting, which recently decided to close down, have demanded an explanation regarding a SNS post written in the context of questions posed to Kim Yeryeong, a former Gyeonggi Broadcasting reporter and the new spokesperson for the United Future Party’s election campaign committee, about returning the broadcasting business and asking President Moon Jae-in last year, "What is the basis of your confidence?"

The Gyeonggi Broadcasting labor union issued a statement titled "A Question to Spokesperson Kim Yeryeong" on the 31st, saying, "Spokesperson Kim stated on SNS that 'My question to the president at the January 2019 New Year press conference ultimately influenced the re-licensing of Gyeonggi Broadcasting, leading to the conclusion that a decision was necessary.' It appears that the return of Gyeonggi Broadcasting’s broadcasting business has been framed politically as if it involves political interests. Please provide the basis for this statement," they said.

At last year’s New Year press conference, Spokesperson Kim asked President Moon questions such as, "What is the basis of your confidence in not changing the economic policy direction?"

The union also said, "The Gyeonggi Broadcasting labor union is preparing for a new start. That path must not be distorted by the suspicions and political framing raised by the spokesperson."

Meanwhile, the Korea Communications Commission approved a conditional re-licensing with a validity period of four years for Gyeonggi Broadcasting at the end of last year, citing the need to protect the listening rights of local audiences.

In response, Spokesperson Kim claimed that the company received this decision because of the questions she posed to President Moon at the New Year press conference.

The Korea Communications Commission refuted this claim as untrue, but the issue sparked significant controversy inside and outside the political sphere.

The Gyeonggi Broadcasting board of directors made the final decision to close down on the 16th. Accordingly, FM 99.9 MHz Gyeonggi Broadcasting ceased broadcasting as of midnight on the 30th.