BMCC Drops Further Appeal in Lawsuit Over Dismissal of Foundation Chairman Kwon Taeson

Chairman Kim Jongcheol: "Deep Regret Over Undermining Order"
Pledge for Thorough Investigation into Unlawful Acts
Kwon Taeson: "Rigorous Investigation Needed"

The Broadcasting Media and Communications Committee (BMCC) has decided to accept the appellate court's ruling to cancel the dismissal of Kwon Taeson, Chairman of the Korea Broadcasting Culture Promotion Foundation (hereinafter referred to as the Foundation), and will not file a further appeal.

According to the Foundation on January 27, Chairman Kwon was informed of this decision by Kim Younggwan, Acting Secretary-General of the BMCC, Park Dongju, Director-General of the Broadcasting Media Policy Bureau, and Sung Jongwon, Director of Planning and Coordination, during a meeting held that afternoon in the conference room. The decision was conveyed on behalf of BMCC Chairman Kim Jongcheol.

Chairman Kim stated that he would respect the court's judgment that all ten reasons cited by the former Korea Communications Commission (KCC) for dismissal were unlawful, and expressed his intention to forgo a further appeal.

Kwon Taeson, Chairman of the Broadcasting Culture Promotion Association, is responding to questions from committee members during the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Committee's audit on the major shareholders of the Korea Broadcasting System (KBS), the Educational Broadcasting System (EBS), and Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) on the 23rd. Photo by Yonhap News.

In particular, the BMCC expressed deep regret over the former KCC's attempt to dismiss Chairman Kwon through improper procedures, and issued an official apology for not having sufficiently deliberated during the inspection and supervision of the Foundation and throughout the dismissal process.

The committee also pledged to sincerely conduct a fact-finding investigation into any unlawful acts, as requested by Chairman Kwon, and to make the results public.

Chairman Kim stated, "I deeply regret that the former KCC attempted to replace Chairman Kwon through unlawful means, thereby undermining the order of public broadcasting," and added, "Going forward, we will faithfully fulfill our role as fair stewards of the media order, strictly in accordance with the Constitution and the law, to ensure that such incidents do not recur."

While expressing gratitude for the apology, Chairman Kwon reiterated the need for a thorough follow-up investigation, stating, "There must be a rigorous investigation into those who led the unlawful takeover of broadcasting under the Yoon Suk Yeol administration."