KBS "Allegations of Prior Knowledge of Martial Law Are Not True"

View of Yeouido KBS. Provided by KBS

Korea Broadcasting System (KBS) denied allegations that it received reference materials on espionage charges from then Commander of the Republic of Korea Army Counterintelligence Command, Yeo In-hyung, on the day martial law was declared on December 3.

On the 20th, KBS issued a statement saying, "Reports claiming that KBS was planning to report on espionage charges or that the Counterintelligence Command passed espionage case information to KBS are groundless."

It added, "At the time of the martial law declaration, we were only informed that there would be a government announcement in the same manner as other broadcasters, and the suspicion that we knew the announcement content in advance is also untrue."

The previous day, Kyunghyang Shinmun reported that former Commander Yeo instructed a subordinate officer on the day of martial law, saying, "KBS will report on espionage charges, so prepare article materials at the Counterintelligence Command level."

Regarding this, the KBS Headquarters of the National Union of Mediaworkers stated, "If martial law had not been lifted, KBS might have aired a special report related to espionage," and added, "If former Commander Yeo specifically mentioned KBS, it is reasonable to suspect that someone inside KBS was communicating with the rebel regime or insurgents."

Full Text

Allegations against KBS related to the martial law incident have gone too far. When reports based solely on statements from the prosecution's investigation emerge, articles quoting them are reproduced and amplified, and the union exploits this to claim the allegations as facts without evidence.
Some media outlets reported, based on statements from the prosecution's investigation, that KBS was mobilized in the Counterintelligence Command's espionage law public opinion campaign. Prior to that, there were reports suggesting that KBS might have known about the martial law declaration in advance.
Reports that KBS was planning to report on espionage charges or that the Counterintelligence Command passed espionage case information to KBS are groundless. Furthermore, at the time of the martial law declaration, we were only informed that there would be a government announcement in the same manner as other broadcasters, and the suspicion that we knew the announcement content in advance is completely false.
Indiscriminate allegations inside and outside the company severely damage the honor of KBS, a public broadcaster and social asset. We will respond firmly to such behavior in the future and will not hesitate to take legal action if necessary. (End)