[2024 National Audit] Oh Se-hoon: "TBS, Endured Again and Again... An Opportunity for a Turnaround"

TBS Suppression Allegations "Completely Unfounded"
Oh "Financial Dependence Is the Cause"
"Though Ties Are Severed, Will Do Our Best to Help"

On the 15th, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon denied allegations of involvement in the suppression of Traffic Broadcasting System (TBS), stating, "There is absolutely no basis for this," and added, "I have endured a great deal with extreme patience regarding the biased broadcasting to the point where I can no longer tolerate it." However, regarding the crisis of TBS's closure, he stated, "I will do my best to turn this into an opportunity for a turnaround."

On the 15th, during the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee's audit of Seoul City, when Lee Seong-kwon, a member of the People Power Party, asked, "What do you think about the allegation that Mayor Oh was involved in suppressing criticism of Kim Eo-jun's broadcast?" Mayor Oh responded, "I have endured and endured again with patience," expressing this position.

On the 15th, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon attended the National Assembly inspection of Seoul City Hall held by the Administrative Safety Committee at Seoul City Hall in Jung-gu, Seoul, and responded to questions from assembly members. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

On that day, Representative Lee pointed out the inadequacies in the process of TBS's independence. He mentioned the financial input status, saying, "In the case of TBS, Seoul City's financial support exceeds 77%, and from 2020 to 2021, it exceeded 72%," and added, "However, KBS is at 45-46%, and EBS is at 37-41%, so TBS has had an excessively high dependency compared to other public broadcasters." Mayor Oh also analyzed, "Independence should not only be administrative but also financially independent with sufficient conditions in place, but the lack of this was the cause."

However, he strongly denied allegations of involvement in suppression aimed at driving out Kim Eo-jun's broadcast. Mayor Oh emphasized, "I have endured a great deal with extreme patience to the point where I can no longer tolerate it. I am confident that all matters were handled objectively."

Some point out serious procedural issues regarding the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's decision in September to revoke TBS's designation as a Seoul City-affiliated institution. According to Article 5 of the 'Act on Local Government Investment and Subsidized Institutions' (Local Investment and Subsidy Act), when the Minister of the Interior and Safety newly designates, revokes, or changes the designation of an investment or subsidized institution, consultation with the competent authority and the head of the local government is required. The competent authority for TBS is the Korea Communications Commission, and the relevant local government head is Mayor Oh. The issue is that the Korea Communications Commission and Mayor Oh did not properly review this process. After the Ministry of the Interior and Safety revoked TBS's designation as a Seoul City-affiliated institution, TBS applied to amend its articles of incorporation to operate as a non-profit corporation, but the Korea Communications Commission rejected the application for amendment.

Nevertheless, Mayor Oh promised to "do his best to turn this into an opportunity for a turnaround" regarding TBS. In particular, he said, "Our ties have been completely severed," but added, "If there are parts where help is needed, my position remains unchanged to assist to the best of my ability." Regarding the issue of TBS's articles of incorporation amendment, Mayor Oh elaborated, "Fortunately, yesterday, the Constitutional Court made a decision that the impeachment trial can proceed promptly," adding, "Thanks to that, the indefinite delay is likely to be resolved soon in some form."

The Korea Communications Commission's rejection decision was greatly influenced by the fact that Chairperson Lee Jin-sook was subject to an impeachment trial. Chairperson Lee filed a provisional injunction request to suspend the effect of the Constitutional Court Act, which stipulates the quorum of justices, fearing a prolonged suspension of duties due to functional paralysis, and also filed a constitutional complaint. In response, the Constitutional Court accepted the injunction, temporarily suspending the effect of the Constitutional Court Act, which requires at least seven justices to be present to hear cases, until the main decision is rendered. Furthermore, with the quorum restriction lifted, the remaining justices can proceed with the hearing.