Verification of ex-convict KBS performers 'much criticism'

With columnist Kim Bang-hee, who had a record of habitual drunk driving, belatedly leaving KBS1 Radio's 'My Premonition of Success is Kim Bang-hee', KBS's verification of contestants was also on the chopping block.

On the 16th, KBS said, "Recently, suspicions were raised against Kim Bang-hee, the host of our radio program," and "After checking, he admitted the fact and expressed his intention to leave the program."

He added, "I apologize to the listeners. In the future, when hiring a radio host, I will do my best to verify the individual performer more thoroughly to prevent them from leaving due to unpleasant circumstances."

Recently, an article was posted on an online community claiming that “there are ex-convicts hiding in KBS and MBC” and that he was sentenced to prison after being caught drunk driving three times. And this all turned out to be true, and Kim Bang-hee was fined 3 million won for drunk driving in 2013, was sentenced to 8 months in prison and 2 years of probation for drunk driving without a license in 2014, and was sentenced to 1 year in prison for drunk driving without a license while on probation in 2016. It is said to have been received.

Kim Bang-hee has been hosting 'This is Kim Bang-hee, a premonition of success' every Monday to Saturday since September 2018. Banghee Kim completed his master's degree in business administration from Seoul National University and received the 9th KBS Correct Language Award in 2007 and the Excellence Award in the radio category at the 1999 MBC Broadcasting Awards.

'Kim Bang-hee's Premonition of Success' is a radio program that was broadcast from 2003 to 2014, and it is understood that he committed drunk driving while on the show. In addition, 'Kim Bang-hee's Blueberries' was also briefly run from September to December 2016. Accordingly, there is a lot of criticism directed at KBS for not even properly verifying the cast.◆ Below is the full text of KBS' official position regarding Kim Bang-hee's drunk driving suspicions.Recently, suspicions were raised about drunk driving against our head office radio program host Kim Bang-hee. As a result of verification, he admitted the truth and expressed his intention to leave the program.

We apologize to the listeners who love KBS Radio. In the future, when hiring radio hosts, we will do our best to ensure that individual performers are vetted more thoroughly to prevent them from leaving due to unpleasant circumstances.

Taeyuna, Ten Asia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr