Yeosu MBC Suncheon Relocation Opposition Committee Visits Foundation and MBC Headquarters to Protest

"Unilateral Relocation...
Please Correct the Unfair Actions," Committee Requests

The Yeosu MBC Suncheon Relocation Opposition Citizens’ Committee (hereinafter referred to as the Committee) announced on the 10th that it had visited the Korea Broadcasting Culture Promotion Foundation (hereinafter referred to as the Foundation) and Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (hereinafter referred to as MBC) on the 9th to raise awareness about the unfairness of Yeosu MBC's relocation to Suncheon and to convey the opposition of local residents.

During the visit, with Jeong Kimyeong, the mayor of Yeosu and chairman of the committee, on a business trip to Qingdao, China for expo promotion, about 20 committee members, including co-chairs Park Jonggil, director of the Regional Society Research Institute, and Baek Insuk, chairperson of the city council, visited the Foundation and MBC headquarters in succession.

The Yeosu MBC Suncheon Relocation Opposition Committee visited the Korea Broadcasting Culture Promotion Foundation and MBC headquarters on the 9th to raise awareness about the unfairness of relocating Yeosu MBC to Suncheon and to convey the will of local residents opposing the move. Provided by the Yeosu MBC Suncheon Relocation Opposition Committee

The committee members submitted petitions to both organizations, stating, "Please correct the unfair and unethical actions of Yeosu MBC, which unilaterally formalized the relocation to Suncheon without any local consultation or public discussion process."

In the petition, the committee argued, "Yeosu MBC’s secretive and collusive relocation to Suncheon, bypassing the local community, not only violates the Broadcasting Act but is also an undemocratic act that goes against the purpose and intent of the Foundation’s establishment, which emphasizes public interest. This must be halted." They demanded, "The Foundation and MBC should re-examine this matter and clearly state their positions."

The committee further pointed out, "Although the Foundation, as the largest shareholder and managing body of MBC, emphasizes the public responsibility and value of MBC as a public broadcaster, Yeosu MBC is only stressing its status as a private company to justify the relocation to Suncheon." They requested, "Hold the president and executives of Yeosu MBC, who have abandoned their public responsibilities, strictly accountable."

The committee particularly emphasized, "At this time, Yeosu is on the brink of economic and livelihood collapse, to the extent that the national industrial complex has been designated as a preemptive response area for industrial crisis. In such circumstances, it is deeply disappointing to see Yeosu MBC ignoring the difficulties of local residents and focusing solely on its own interests, rather than standing with and representing the community."

They warned, "Yeosu MBC must remember that turning its back on the region and lacking the support of local residents will make it impossible to overcome the current difficulties, and may even lead to greater challenges and management crises."

Finally, the committee added, "We will continue to carry out the movement opposing Yeosu MBC’s relocation to Suncheon in order to protect the pride of Yeosu citizens, our media, and our voices. We expect wise judgment and mediation from both organizations."

Meanwhile, the Foundation was established to promote the broadcasting culture of Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), which is a public asset, and to manage and supervise MBC so that it can fulfill its responsibilities as a public broadcaster. The Foundation is the largest shareholder of Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation, and Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation is the largest shareholder of Yeosu MBC, forming a governance structure.