South Korea’s Broadcast Media Telecommunications Commission said it accepted a court ruling that found unlawful the Korea Communications Commission’s dismissal of Kweon Tae-seon from her post as chair of the Foundation for Broadcast Culture. It also expressed regret over damage to public broadcasting order.

Kim Jong-cheol (김종철), chair of the Broadcast Media Telecommunications Commission, said in a statement on Jan. 27 that the Seoul High Court on Jan. 9 overturned the dismissal imposed by the Korea Communications Commission on Kweon Tae-seon, a board member of the Foundation for Broadcast Culture. He said the ruling was based on a finding that the measure was unlawful because grounds for the disposition did not exist.

The former Korea Communications Commission on Aug. 21, 2023 presented 10 grounds for dismissal, including alleged violations of oversight duties related to MBC management and operations and alleged violations of the duty of care due to inappropriate board operations.

The Broadcast Media Telecommunications Commission, which succeeded to the former Korea Communications Commission’s responsibilities, submitted an opinion to the Justice Ministry to drop the appeal in deference to the court’s ruling, the statement said. It added that the justice minister on Jan. 23 directed that the appeal be abandoned. After the appeal deadline on Jan. 27 passes, the lawsuit seeking cancellation of Kweon’s dismissal will be finally confirmed.

Kim said he deeply regretted that the former Korea Communications Commission, straying from its duty as an institution that guarantees broadcasting independence, tried to replace Foundation for Broadcast Culture board members through unlawful means, undermining public broadcasting order.

He said the newly launched Broadcast Media Telecommunications Commission would deeply reflect on such wrongdoing and do its utmost to remain faithful to its duty as a fair shaper of media order based solely on the constitution and laws so that such incidents do not recur.

Kim also said he would work to ensure that follow-on cases linked to the disposition are wrapped up swiftly in an appropriate manner. He pledged to faithfully investigate the facts related to the disposition and announce the results at an appropriate time.

Office staff at the time also said they felt a heavy sense of responsibility for failing to support sufficient deliberation by the commission in connection with inspection, supervision and dismissal procedures at the Foundation for Broadcast Culture. They expressed apologies to Kweon and other related board members.

Kim added that the Broadcast Media Telecommunications Commission, launched with a mission to respond effectively to a rapidly changing media environment while reflecting on the past, would further devote itself to normalising public broadcasting in line with constitutional values and principles.