The Decision of the Korean Broadcasting Commission to Deter MBC

The Korean Broadcasting Commission (KBC) reported yesterday that it would hold a meeting on April 10 and decide whether it would deter the MBC news program “The truth of Sin Kang-kyun” or not. This was caused by editing compilations related to the credential depreciation remark scene of the first lady in that program.

KBC also decided to relegate the issue of the KBS 9 o’clock News to the Campaign Broadcasting Special Commission. The KBS 9 o’clock News covered only the apologizing scene of Jung Dong-young, Uri Party chairman, cutting the disparaging scene about senior citizens. The Campaign Broadcasting Special Commission will decide on the fate of this program within this week.

An official of KBC said, “‘The truth of Sin Kang-kyun’ dealt with a sensitive issue in front of the general election, and KBC will handle the program through a special meeting. It is reasonable that the Campaign Broadcasting Special Commission should also decide the issue of the KBS 9 o’clock News because that matter is related to the political campaign during the election period.

The Grand National Party also demanded a decision whether those programs of KBS and MBC covered the truth fairly. GNP asserted that ‘The truth of Sin Kang-kyun’ of MBC distorted the remarks of the pro-impeachment meeting, but that the program didn’t apologize for or excuse it. GNP also said that the KBS 9 o’clock News covered only the apology scene of Jung Dong-young, Uri Party chairman, cutting the disparaging scene about senior citizens.

Jin-Yeong Lee ecolee@donga.com