KBS President Kim Eui-cheol "From 620 billion won to 100 billion won, the damage from the separate collection of license fees is the responsibility of the people"

KBS President Eui-cheol Kim expressed his dissatisfaction with the recommendation for separate collection of subscription fees.

At a press conference on the recommendation of separate collection of subscription fees held at KBS Art Hall in Yeouido, Seoul on the 8th, President Kim Eui-cheol said, “I have strong doubts about whether there was a deep meaning and concern about the role of social institutions and whether sufficient discussions were held. KBS was excluded from the discussion process and has not been asked for opinions separately. Contrary to the explanation of the presidential office, there was only strengthening the competitiveness of public broadcasting,” he said. “I am well aware that KBS is an inefficient and lax organization. However, if you look at the reality, it is competing on an equal footing with the world's leading broadcasters with low cost and low manpower."

"Like 'Chuseok Chuseok Chuseok Special Korea Again Na Hoon-a', we are producing public broadcasting contents that are low in profitability but worthy of broadcasting. It is also KBS that has established K-culture with 'Winter Sonata' and 'Music Bank' from over a year ago,” he said. It will be as low as 100 million won. This is a situation that is completely incomprehensible. The damage from the separate taxation will go back to the people."

According to the Presidential Office on the 5th, the Korea Communications Commission and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy recommended separate collection of KBS TV license fees. Kang Seung-gyu, Senior Vice President for Civil Society, said, "We reflected the people's complaints of inconvenience and demand for change regarding the integrated collection method of license fees and electricity rates, which has been maintained for 30 years after the introduction. It was recommended to revise related laws and prepare follow-up measures for separate collection. "he explained.

From March 9, the Office of the President sent a proposal to the people to improve the method of collecting TV license fees (integrated collection of TV license fees and electricity bills) for one month. About 56,016 people (96.5%) supported the separate collection of subscription fees, and only 2019 people (3.5%) opposed it. At the time, KBS pointed out that important factual relationships were omitted, saying, "The question was raised that it is possible for the same person to vote repeatedly. The fairness of the public opinion collection process was also damaged, such as the encouragement of voting at the party level."

Reporter Ryu Ye-ji and Ten Asia ryuperstar@tenasia.co.kr