방통위, MBC 대주주 방문진 권태선 이사장 해임 의결Broadcasting Commission Resolves to Dismiss Kwon Tae-seon, Chairman of MBC Major Shareholder Visitjin

"MBC Management Loss, Neglect of Unfair Labor Practices"
Commissioner Kim Hyun: "Decision Ignoring Law, Principles, and Procedures"

The Korea Communications Commission decided to dismiss Kwon Tae-seon, chairman of the Korea Broadcasting Culture Promotion Foundation, the major shareholder of MBC.

On the morning of the 21st, the KCC held a plenary meeting at the Government Complex Gwacheon and passed the dismissal proposal for Chairman Kwon Tae-seon.

On the morning of the 21st, a full meeting of the Korea Communications Commission is being held at the Government Complex Gwacheon. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The KCC stated the reasons for dismissal as "neglecting the management and supervisory duties over MBC and its affiliates by allowing excessive increases in MBC executives' performance bonuses and ignoring management losses of MBC and its affiliates."

It added, "They neglected unfair labor practices at MBC and failed to properly manage and supervise the results of a deficient special audit of the MBC president."

Furthermore, it was stated that there was a violation of the duty of care by conducting inadequate verification during the MBC president appointment process and improperly dispatching foundation executives, thereby infringing on the independence of audit work.

However, Kim Hyun, a standing commissioner recommended by the opposition, opposed the KCC's decision and claimed that the dismissal of Chairman Kwon is invalid.

In a statement, Commissioner Kim criticized, "The prior notice of dismissal and the decision to proceed with the hearing for the foundation chairman are matters for the chairman's exclusive authority, but they were handled like a military operation without reporting or discussion," and added, "The dismissal of a public broadcasting director ignoring law, principles, and procedures is invalid."

Meanwhile, the KCC recommended Professor Hwang Geun of Sun Moon University as a replacement director for KBS, filling the vacancy created by the dismissal of Chairman Nam Young-jin. KBS directors are appointed when the KCC recommends and the president approves.

Professor Hwang has served as president of the Korean Broadcasting Law Research Association, president of the Political Communication Research Association of the Korean Society for Journalism and Communication Studies, advisor to the 17th Presidential Transition Committee, member of the National Committee for Media Development, and was also a KBS director from 2009 to 2012.