"'If You're Jealous, Join' Said to KBS Staff... 'Can't You Read the Atmosphere?' Sigh from EBS Staff"

On the 27th of last month, the KBS board proposed an adjustment plan to increase the KBS subscription fee from 2,500 won to 3,840 won per month. The fee increase proposal, submitted at the 979th regular KBS board meeting held at KBS Yeouido on the same day, will go through several procedures including public hearings, opinion polls, and the presentation of measures to strengthen KBS's public responsibilities before being reviewed and decided by the board. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Soyoung] Amid ongoing public outrage over a KBS employee's post flaunting a 'hundred-million-won salary,' a netizen presumed to be an EBS employee has claimed that EBS is also suffering damage due to the post.

In a situation where public opinion is unfavorable toward the increase in license fees, flaunting a hundred-million-won salary has ultimately caused the repercussions to spread to other broadcasters as well. EBS is currently considering a license fee increase, just like KBS.

Earlier, on the 31st of last month, a post presumed to be written by a KBS employee was uploaded on the anonymous workplace community 'Blind.' The post included content urging people not to complain about KBS but to join if they have the ability, along with the fact that the employee receives a hundred-million-won salary.

The employee targeted those criticizing the KBS license fee increase, saying, "It's frustrating. No matter how much you complain, our company guarantees retirement," and added, "Half of the employees earn over 100 million won annually. Please stop badmouthing our employees outside, and if you have the ability and opportunity, please become one of our colleagues."

This post by the KBS employee came amid KBS's push to raise the license fee for the first time in eight years (from 2,500 won to 3,840 won per month), sparking a wave of criticism. There were ongoing criticisms that since many employees receive hundred-million-won salaries, the license fee increase is unnecessary.

In response, KBS immediately issued a statement saying, "This content is something we absolutely cannot consider common sense among KBS members," expressing "deep regret and apology." KBS also corrected that exactly 46.4% of employees receive hundred-million-won salaries.

However, the controversy surrounding this continues. In particular, a netizen presumed to be an EBS employee pointed out that the repercussions of the KBS employee's post are affecting EBS as well.

Netizen A, who posted on 'Blind' (a workplace community), said, "If the license fee is raised, only KBS employees will be happy," adding, "This is an issue that won't be resolved by appealing emotionally or begging, so didn't they expect that sarcastic remarks and seeking attention would naturally trigger backlash? We (EBS) will suffer damage too."

When another KBS employee commented, "Doesn't EBS make good money from textbook sales?" A responded, "Textbooks are sold with less than half the margin of typical publishers, and more than 30% of annual sales are provided free of charge," adding, "The license fee allocation is only 70 won, so it's impossible to sell textbooks without a margin."

Currently, EBS is also considering a license fee increase, just like KBS. Therefore, the negative public opinion related to the license fee increase following the controversy over the KBS employee's 'hundred-million-won salary flaunting post' is not something EBS would welcome.

Earlier, on the 28th of last month, EBS stated officially, "KBS announced that it would allocate 190 won, which is 5% of the 3,840 won license fee, to EBS," adding, "This amount is far too insufficient to respond to the rapid environmental changes in the post-COVID era and to smoothly fulfill EBS's public responsibilities."

EBS further stated, "As a result of calculating the financial demand plan to fulfill EBS's public responsibilities, it was found that a license fee of 700 won is necessary," adding, "This corresponds to 18.2% of the 3,840 won announced by KBS."

Meanwhile, the decision on whether to raise the KBS license fee will be made in the order of board approval, submission to the Korea Communications Commission (KCC), and National Assembly approval. After the KBS board submits the license fee calculation details, viewer committee opinions, public opinion collection results, and board deliberation and resolution details to the KCC, the KCC will submit an opinion letter and approval application to the National Assembly within 60 days of receipt. The ruling and opposition parties then discuss and approve the matter.