94% of KBS union members distrust President Park Jang-bum…82% say decline in fairness
A survey shows that a significant majority of KBS employees distrust their president, Park Jang-bum, with many expressing concerns about the declining fairness of the broadcaster's content.
A recent survey conducted among KBS employees revealed that an overwhelming 93.7% of respondents do not trust President Park Jang-bum. Out of 1,965 union members, 1,572 participated, with 1,473 expressing distrust. In parallel, when asked about the perceived changes in the fairness and reliability of KBS's reporting and programming since Park's appointment, 82.3% reported a decline, highlighting a troubling perception among staff regarding the integrity of the broadcaster under Park's leadership. Only 1.4% noted any improvements in this area, indicating a substantial erosion of trust within the organization.
The union also conducted inquiries related to a recent court ruling that nulled the appointments of seven KBS board members made under the previous administration. Respondents overwhelmingly opposed the idea of maintaining Park's presidency, with 90.1% expressing disagreement. Furthermore, when questioned about Park's actions during a controversial event in December 2024, 87.5% regarded his decision to prepare for a special live broadcast after discussions with a presidential secretary as inappropriate. This sentiment reflects the broader dissatisfaction with Park's management style and the potential impact on the broadcaster's credibility.
KBS union leader Park Sang-hyun commented on the results, calling the members' evaluations severe and underscoring the need for Park to clarify the truths surrounding specific controversial broadcasts. He emphasized that this situation could be seen as a betrayal of public trust in the public broadcaster, signaling a potential crisis in KBS's governance that may necessitate significant changes to restore confidence among both employees and the viewing public.