Major Broadcasters Switch to Special News Coverage System
Citizens are watching news related to President Yoon in the Seoul Station waiting room. Not directly related to the main content. Yonhap News Agency
Tension is mounting in the broadcasting industry ahead of the impeachment ruling on President Yoon Seok-yeol scheduled for the 4th.
At 11 a.m. that day, the ruling will be delivered at the Constitutional Court in Seoul. Considering the public interest, major broadcasters including the three terrestrial channels MBC, KBS, SBS, and comprehensive programming channels JTBC, MBN, Channel A, and TV Chosun will switch to special news coverage to relay on-site updates, and will also air special broadcasts depending on the situation afterward.
Although it is a Friday when popular variety shows and dramas usually air, each broadcaster has been busy adjusting their schedules due to the impeachment ruling being a significant issue affecting society as a whole.
According to the schedule for the day, KBS 1TV will air a special broadcast on the impeachment ruling. After the 8 a.m. program "Achimmadang," almost all other programs will be canceled to deliver news. A special documentary titled "From Martial Law to Impeachment Ruling: A 123-Day Record" is also scheduled.
However, KBS 2TV will air "Music Bank," "Cinderella Game," "Newly Released Pyeonstorang," and "The Seasons - Park Bo-gum's Cantabile" as planned.
MBC will cancel most variety shows and dramas and switch to a special news coverage system. At 9 p.m., a special 100-minute debate program is scheduled. The new Friday-Saturday drama "Bunny and Oppas," which was supposed to premiere that day, will be postponed by one week to the 11th. The variety show "I Live Alone" is scheduled to air as planned but may be canceled depending on the situation.
SBS will cancel "Live Today" and "Curious Story Y" to broadcast news. The Friday-Saturday drama "Treasure Island" is scheduled to air normally but is also subject to change.
Channel A will cancel "These Days Parenting: My Precious Child" and "Heart Pairing" to broadcast impeachment-related news coverage. MBN will air "Jeon Hyun-moo Plan 2" as scheduled.
Meanwhile, if the Constitutional Court issues a dismissal ruling that day, President Yoon will immediately become a former president; conversely, if the impeachment is rejected, he will promptly resume his duties. It has been 111 days since the National Assembly passed the impeachment motion against President Yoon last year and 38 days since the last hearing. The ruling can be acceptance, rejection, or dismissal. Acceptance requires the agreement of six or more of the eight sitting justices. If fewer than six agree, the impeachment petition is rejected. If four or more justices hold a dismissal opinion, a dismissal ruling is made.
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