National Assembly Audit on KLPGT Broadcasting Rights Allegations
Explanation of Testimony by Kang Chun-ja, KLPGT CEO
[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] Concerns were raised during the National Assembly audit that the negotiation process for TV broadcasting rights of the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Tour (KLPGT) was not conducted transparently.
On the 5th, the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee summoned KLPGT CEO Kang Chun-ja as a witness during the audit of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to question her about the recent controversies and suspicions surrounding the selection process of the broadcasting rights operator. Last month, KLPGT held a bidding process to select a broadcasting rights operator for five years from 2023 to 2027 and chose SBS Medianet as the preferred negotiation partner.
However, JTBC Discovery, which offered a higher broadcasting rights fee, was eliminated, raising concerns that the evaluation method during the bidding process might have favored a specific company. JTBC Discovery filed an injunction with the court to suspend the KLPGA broadcasting rights contract, but the court dismissed the request.
Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Yoon-duk stated, “It is completely unacceptable that the broadcasting rights operator who offered 10 billion KRW annually and intended to create a pension for players was eliminated, while the operator who offered 6.4 billion KRW annually was selected.” He added, “Even though there is such a large difference, the explanation that it is due to the nature of golf is not reasonable.” Kim also criticized, “There is a high possibility that KLPGA tour players also have such suspicions,” calling it “the association’s arbitrary control.”
CEO Kang Chun-ja responded, “There are two broadcasting companies, and in the fall, the LPGA Tour holds 5 to 6 tournaments in the Asian region,” adding, “JTBC Golf also broadcasts men’s tournaments at the same time, which overlaps with the LPGA Tour’s Asian tournaments.” Kang explained, “Broadcasting at a fixed time on a fixed channel results in higher sponsor satisfaction. Although I am not an evaluator, I believe the evaluators made their decision based on such reasons.”
People Power Party lawmaker Lee Yong-ho also pointed out, “While witness Kang Chun-ja has contributed to growing the KLPGA, she has recently been criticized for operating too unilaterally,” and added, “Five years ago, JTBC Golf offered better conditions but SBS Golf was selected. The evaluation structure itself favors a specific company.”
KLPGT Secretary General Kim Nam-jin rebutted, “The characteristics of golf differ significantly from other sports,” and said, “While money is important, qualitative factors are also crucial for the long-term development of the association, the tour, players, and the overall golf industry.”
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