The Broadcasting Media Communications Commission approved nominations and appointments for 9 public broadcaster directors recommended by the Democratic Party.

At its 23rd plenary meeting on July 15, Bamitoongwi approved nominations for 4 directors of the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS). It also approved the appointment of 2 directors of the Foundation for Broadcast Culture and 3 directors of the Korea Educational Broadcasting System (EBS).

The decision followed a July 6 move to approve nominations and appointments for 20 public broadcaster directors. Bamitoongwi reviewed 10 candidates recommended by the Democratic Party and decided on nominations and appointments for 9. It deferred a vote to appoint 1 of 3 nominees for the Foundation for Broadcast Culture because fact-checking procedures were not completed.

The nominees for KBS directors were Koo Chang-hoon (구창훈), a partner attorney at Law Firm One; Kim Yoo-jin (김유진), a former member of the Korea Communications Standards Commission; Lee Seung-hoon (이승훈), co-executive committee chair of the Civil Society Organizations Alliance; and Jung Jae-kwon (정재권), former dean of Seoul Citizens University at the Seoul Lifelong Education Promotion Institute. Bamitoongwi nominates KBS directors and the president appoints them.

Kim Ki-joong (김기중), an attorney at Dongsuhyangjae Law Firm, and Seok Won-hyuk (석원혁), former head of MBC's digital headquarters, were appointed as directors of the Foundation for Broadcast Culture.

Kim Sun-nam (김선남), a professor in the Department of Public Administration and Journalism at Wonkwang University; Lee Jin-soon (이진순), an adjunct professor in the Department of Media Content Convergence at Sungkonghoe University; and Cho Ho-yeon (조호연), former editor-in-chief of the Kyunghyang Shinmun, were named as EBS directors. The terms of the new directors at the Foundation for Broadcast Culture and EBS begin on July 20.

The agenda was reviewed behind closed doors because it involved personnel matters. After the deliberations, Bamitoongwi switched to an open meeting and again urged nominating bodies that have delayed recommendations for directors to make nominations promptly.

Recommendations have not yet been made for 6 directors allocated to the People Power Party, 2 allocated to the KBS viewers committee and 3 allocated to candidates recommended by a majority of KBS employees.

Bamitoongwi Chairman Kim Jong-cheol (김종철) said, "I once again urge each nominating body to recommend directors as soon as possible." He added, "Please fulfill your responsibilities so that public broadcasters can regain the public's trust and protect broadcasting independence and fairness."

Bamitoongwi plans to continue nominations and appointments of public broadcaster directors under the revised three broadcasting laws as soon as the remaining recommendation procedures are completed.