Kim Eo-jun and Shin Jang-sik Indefinitely Suspended from TBS Appearances for "Undermining Credibility"

Broadcast Appearance Restriction Review Committee on the 31st of Last Month, Highest Level Resolution

The TBS Broadcasting Appearance Restriction Review Committee has decided to indefinitely ban Kim Eo-jun and lawyer Shin Jang-sik from appearing on broadcasts.

The Broadcasting Appearance Restriction Review Committee of the Seoul Metropolitan Media Foundation TBS (hereinafter TBS) held its first meeting on the 31st of last month. Among the 11 cases reviewed that day, 10 were related to Kim Eo-jun, the host of the now-canceled program Kim Eo-jun's News Factory, which received 8 cautions, 1 disciplinary action against personnel, and 1 warning from the Korea Communications Standards Commission. Similarly, the case related to lawyer Shin Jang-sik, the host of the also canceled Shin Jang-sik's Shin Jang Opening, received one legal sanction in the form of a caution.

Broadcaster Kim Eo-jun (left) and lawyer Shin Jang-sik
[Photo source=Yonhap News, captured from Shin Jang-sik's official Facebook page "Shin Jang's New Opening"]

As a result of this decision, videos related to Mr. Kim and lawyer Shin are, in principle, prohibited from use except for news reports. The review decision will also be notified to the parties involved, Mr. Kim and lawyer Shin, who may file a request for reconsideration within 10 days from the date of notification if they object to the decision.

The types of appearance restrictions by the TBS Broadcasting Appearance Restriction Review Committee are categorized according to the severity of the case as ▲ recommendation to refrain from appearance ▲ temporary appearance restriction ▲ fixed appearance restriction ▲ appearance suspension. Mr. Kim and lawyer Shin were decided to be subject to the highest level, indefinite appearance suspension.

Committee member Oh Chang-gyu (CEO of Data News) stated, "The subjects under review have significantly damaged TBS's credibility," and proposed the indefinite suspension of appearances.

Chairman Kim Seol of the review committee said, "Going forward, the TBS Broadcasting Appearance Restriction Review Committee will strive to operate as a check-and-balance system to create a fairer and more trusted broadcast."

Established in September 2023, the Broadcasting Appearance Restriction Review Committee is an organization aimed at strengthening the fairness of broadcasts. It reviews whether individuals such as entertainers, broadcasters, and politicians who have received legal sanctions from supervisory bodies like the Korea Communications Commission or caused social controversies such as drug use or assault should be allowed to appear on TBS.

Kim Eo-jun's News Factory, which is now discontinued.
[Photo by TBS]

Previously, TBS canceled both Kim Eo-jun's News Factory and Shin Jang-sik's Shin Jang Opening in December 2022, citing political bias controversies. In the same month, a complaint was filed alleging that Kim Eo-jun's News Factory mocked and satirized President Yoon Seok-yeol’s speech during last year's Emergency Economic and Livelihood Meeting and National Economic Advisory Council by mixing English into his speech, resulting in a legal sanction against the program.

At that time, host Kim Eo-jun made remarks such as, "If there is no content, this is how you end up showing off," "Aggressively engaging with the president’s fantastic English," "It’s not naturally coming out," and "Very strange," which led to complaints that the broadcast mocked and satirized President Yoon’s remarks.

Subsequently, the Korea Communications Standards Commission held a plenary session and decided to issue a legal sanction of a "warning" against TBS’s Kim Eo-jun's News Factory (now canceled) for biased reporting that ridiculed President Yoon’s English speech.