KBS Execs Approved Increase in TV License Fee

The executive committee of Korea Broadcasting System (chaired by Kim Geum-soo) held an extraordinary session over the controversial increase in TV license fees on May 9. And the committee said yes to the KBS plan to raise fees from 2,500 to 4,000 won.

The fee had been frozen at 2,500 since 1981. The broadcaster had made several unsuccessful attempts before to lift the license fee. They finally made it by getting the approval of the committee for the first time.

As the executive committee agreed with the proposal, the case will be moved to the Korean Broadcasting Commission. If the commission backs the plan, the suggestion will be introduced to the regular session of the National Assembly this fall.

The New Right Union, the leading conservative civic group, gave out a statement after the decision of the committee. The union criticized the broadcaster, saying, “KBS tried to hide its arrogance and inability by raising the license fee without any effort to improve management and any attempt to reflect on its failures."

Conservative civic groups like the New Right Union and NEWKBS held a press conference in front of the headquarters of KBS in Yeouido today and demanded the approval be revoked.

zozo@donga.com