Kim Ho-jung, Temporary Suspension from KBS Appearances
"Considering Viewer Petition to Ban Broadcast Appearances"
Fans Express "Sorrowful Feelings"
KBS's decision to impose a 'temporary broadcast ban' on singer Kim Ho-joong, who was arrested on charges of drunk driving hit-and-run, has sparked backlash from Kim's fans. The fans demanded that the same standards be applied to politicians such as Lee Jae-myung and Cho Kuk, calling for their broadcast appearances to be suspended as well.
Kim Ho-joong Fans: "Sorrowful Feelings... Apply the Same Standards to Those in Power"
Singer Kim Ho-jung, who is accused of drunk hit-and-run, is appearing at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 24th for a warrant hearing (pre-arrest suspect interrogation). Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@
On the 29th, the 'Kim Ho-joong Gallery' on DC Inside issued a statement regarding KBS's temporary broadcast ban, saying, "Although fans are deeply sorrowful, they respect and accept KBS's decision and will calmly await the investigation results and judicial judgment."
They continued, "However, for KBS to fulfill its social responsibility as a public broadcaster entrusted by the sovereign people, the same standards must be applied to those in power who deceived the people under the pretext of exercising their rights," adding, "Those who were sentenced to '2 years imprisonment' in the appellate court, ran for the National Assembly while shouting against prosecutorial dictatorship, those who reversed their 'declaration to waive immunity from arrest' and pleaded with their party to reject it, and suspects who have not been summoned even once by the prosecution in four years with unchecked power?all of these represent the shameful reality of the Republic of Korea." Although no specific names were mentioned, this appears to target Cho Kuk, leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Kim Geon-hee, respectively.
Kim's fans stated, "They justify themselves with all kinds of sweet talk and continue their political activities openly through media and press, causing the country to become a hotbed of corruption and fall into an endless swamp of decay, resulting in international disgrace," and urged, "Therefore, as a public service media and national key broadcaster, KBS must also impose the same 'broadcast appearance suspension, temporary appearance restrictions, or recommendations to refrain from casting' on the above-mentioned powers, playing a central role in fostering healthy public opinion and the development of democracy."
Following His Alma Mater, KBS Also Erases Traces of Kim Ho-joong
A portion of the statement posted on the 'Kim Ho-joong Gallery' on DC Inside on the 29th. [Image source=DC Inside]
Earlier on the same day, KBS announced, "We held a Broadcast Appearance Regulation Review Committee regarding Kim and decided on a 'temporary broadcast appearance ban.'" They explained, "Although this is before the court's ruling, Kim caused serious social controversy by repeatedly lying about the accident during drunk driving," and "Considering petitions from many viewers requesting a ban on Kim's broadcast appearances, we decided on a temporary appearance ban."
KBS regulates celebrities or ordinary people who cause social controversy due to illegal or immoral acts such as sexual violence, drunk driving, or drug crimes by imposing broadcast appearance bans, temporary appearance restrictions, or recommendations to refrain from casting, depending on the severity of the case.
Meanwhile, Kim is accused of driving under the influence and fleeing the scene after colliding with a taxi on a road in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, around 11:40 p.m. on the 9th. His alma mater, Gyeongbuk Gimcheon Arts High School, also dismantled the school pavilion 'Tbaroti House,' where photos and related press releases about Kim were displayed, on the 28th.
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