KBS President Kim Eui-cheol "separate license fee collection, resign if withdrawn... I want a meeting with the president"

KBS President Eui-cheol Kim mentioned his resignation in connection with the recommendation for separate collection of license fees.

President Kim Eui-cheol said at a press conference on the recommendation of separate collection of license fees held at KBS Art Hall in Yeouido, Seoul on the 8th, “I made a heavy decision as KBS president in the face of a critical situation. If I, who was appointed by the previous administration, is a problem, I will step down as president, so please immediately withdraw the decision to recommend separate collection of license fees, which can shake the foundation of public broadcasting,” he said.

“It is absolutely unacceptable to decide the method of collecting license fees based on the number of recommendations and comments such as popular votes. It is also unprecedented in the world that a government-level recommendation decision is made by listening to opinions at once,” he said. I also formally request a meeting with the President here.”

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