Current executives of EBS have protested against the Broadcasting and Communications Commission's (BCC) insistence on appointing a new president.
On the 26th, EBS executives issued a resolution stating, "The Broadcasting and Communications Commission (hereinafter referred to as BCC) is proceeding with the appointment of a new president under a two-person system that has been pointed out as illegal, which is a serious matter that severely undermines the independence and procedural legitimacy of public broadcasting."
They further stated, "This illegal attempt by the BCC is not just a problem limited to the EBS organization. It will cause social confusion, and the damage will be passed on to students, viewers who have trusted and loved EBS, and ultimately to the generation that carries the future of South Korea." They continued, "EBS belongs to everyone, not to anyone in particular, and is a public asset for future generations. Therefore, we, the current executives of EBS, clearly state the following position as members of public broadcasting and as responsible individuals before the public."
The current executives asserted that ▲ decisions made under the BCC's two-person system cannot have legal effect, and their results cannot be recognized as legitimate, ▲ one cannot lead EBS without understanding its essence, and ▲ there must be improvements in transparent and democratic governance.
They pointed out that the Supreme Court has indicated that there is room to dispute the legality of the BCC's decision under the two-person system, explaining that the head of EBS must be free from political considerations or external interests and must possess a sufficient understanding of the values pursued by EBS, a philosophy of education, and a sense of responsibility for public broadcasting. They also mentioned the structural limitations of EBS governance, stating, "The current composition of the board and the method of appointing the president are excessively exposed to external political influences, which fundamentally threaten the independence and neutrality of public broadcasting," emphasizing the need for problem-solving.
They emphasized, "Nevertheless, if our demands are ultimately ignored and the BCC forcibly proceeds with the illegal appointment, we will never recognize anyone appointed as the president of EBS," and added, "If the BCC insists on appointing a president, we will enter into stronger responses and struggles."
Finally, they urged, "The Broadcasting and Communications Commission must immediately halt the appointment process for the president, which is being pursued amid legal controversies. A person who can respect and realize the identity and public value of EBS must be appointed through a legitimate process, and the institutional foundation must be reorganized. The government and the National Assembly must promptly promote fundamental reforms of the EBS governance structure to ensure the political independence and sustainability of public broadcasting."
They continued, "EBS is a broadcasting service for the people and a hope for education for future generations. To uphold this mission, we reaffirm our commitment here today. We will protect EBS unwaveringly until the end."
[Kim So-yeon, Star Today Reporter]
Below is the resolution from the current executives of the Korea Educational Broadcasting System (EBS)
EBS has walked alongside the people for decades as an educational public broadcasting service that conveys knowledge, values, and the future. We have fulfilled our mission as a partner in education throughout life, from early childhood to adulthood, based on the freedom of the press and public interest guaranteed by the Constitution. However, we now stand before a serious crisis. The Broadcasting and Communications Commission is proceeding with the appointment of a new president under a two-person system that has been pointed out as illegal, which is a serious matter that severely undermines the independence and procedural legitimacy of public broadcasting.
This illegal attempt by the BCC is not just a problem limited to the EBS organization. It will cause social confusion, and the damage will be passed on to students, viewers who have trusted and loved EBS, and ultimately to the generation that carries the future of South Korea. EBS belongs to everyone, not to anyone in particular, and is a public asset for future generations. Therefore, we, the current executives of EBS, clearly state the following position as members of public broadcasting and as responsible individuals before the public.
First, decisions made under the two-person system cannot have legal effect, and their results cannot be recognized as legitimate. The Constitution and laws specify that administrative agencies must strictly follow the established composition and procedures, and the Supreme Court has clearly stated that there is room to dispute the legality of the BCC's decision under the two-person system.
Nevertheless, the BCC is ignoring this and forcibly proceeding with the appointment of the president. We cannot accept anyone appointed through such a procedure as the president of public broadcasting, and we emphasize once again that no one has the authority to exist above the law and the will of the people.
Second, one cannot lead EBS without understanding its essence. EBS is not just a broadcasting company. EBS is the only educational public broadcasting service in South Korea that exists to realize the social value of education. Therefore, the head of EBS must be free from political considerations or external interests and must possess a sufficient understanding of the values pursued by EBS, a philosophy of education, and a sense of responsibility for public broadcasting. Appointments that do not meet these criteria will only lead to confusion within the organization and ultimately harm the viewers and students who love EBS.
Third, this situation has clearly revealed the structural limitations of EBS governance. Currently, the president of EBS is appointed by the chairman of the BCC after a public recruitment and review process, and the current composition of the board and the method of appointing the president are excessively exposed to external political influences, which fundamentally threaten the independence and neutrality of public broadcasting. We feel that unless this structure is reformed, the second and third crises will inevitably repeat, and we strongly urge that transparent and democratic governance improvements must be made as a result of this situation.
Fourth, we are not alone. At this moment, students, parents, and viewers who have watched EBS for a long time are also deeply concerned that the values of education and the essence of public broadcasting should not be shaken. These voices go beyond simple empathy; they are also a clear demand for the direction and responsibilities that EBS must uphold. We take this sentiment seriously and will move forward unwaveringly, looking in the same direction to meet the responsibilities and trust expected by the public.
Nevertheless, if our demands are ultimately ignored and the BCC forcibly proceeds with the illegal appointment, we will never recognize anyone appointed as the president of EBS. If our demands are not accepted and the BCC insists on appointing a president, we clearly declare here that we will enter into stronger responses and struggles.
EBS is not owned by a specific political party or the BCC; it belongs to all the people and is a precious asset for future generations. To protect the essence of educational public broadcasting, we will fulfill our mission based on independence from any external influence, conscience, and professionalism. Protecting that position unwaveringly is what we must do, and it is our resolution for the future.
Therefore, we, the current executives of EBS, demand the following.
The Broadcasting and Communications Commission must immediately halt the appointment process for the president, which is being pursued amid legal controversies. A person who can respect and realize the identity and public value of EBS must be appointed through a legitimate process, and the institutional foundation must be reorganized.
The government and the National Assembly must promptly promote fundamental reforms of the EBS governance structure to ensure the political independence and sustainability of public broadcasting.
EBS is a broadcasting service for the people and a hope for education for future generations. To uphold this mission, we reaffirm our commitment here today. We will protect EBS unwaveringly until the end.
March 25, 2025
Current Executives of the Korea Educational Broadcasting System (EBS)
Head of Broadcasting Production Division, Head of Digital School Education Division, Head of Convergence Technology Division, Head of Business Center, Head of Policy Planning Center, Head of Programming Center, Head of Management Support Center, Head of Video Art Center, Head of Viewer Advisory Office, Head of License Fee Normalization Promotion Team, Head of Information Security Division, Head of External Cooperation Division, Head of Educational Vision Project Division, Head of Publishing Division, Head of Broadcasting Production Planning Department, Head of Cultural Education Department, Head of Early Childhood and Children's Animation Department, Head of Radio Department, Head of Digital Education Planning Department, Head of Subject Content Department, Head of Digital Education Service Department, Head of Digital Talent Education Department, Head of Technology Planning Department, Head of Network Technology Department, Head of Video Lighting Department, Head of Sound Technology Department, Head of Editing Department, Head of ICT Infrastructure Department, Head of Content Business Planning Department, Head of Advertising Business Department, Head of Cooperation Business Department, Head of Digital Business Department, Head of Policy Planning Department, Head of Planning and Budget Department, Head of Organizational Legal Affairs Department, Head of Public Relations Department, Head of Programming Planning Department, Head of Cooperative Production Department, Head of Programming Operations Department, Head of Global Content Department, Head of Knowledge Content Department, Head of Human Resources Department, Head of Financial Accounting Department, Head of Operations Management Department, Head of Spatial Design Department, Head of Graphic Design Department, Head of Video Production Department, Head of Studio Video Department, Head of Peng TV Brand Studio Project Team, Head of Textbook Planning Department, Head of Textbook Development Department, Head of News Department, Head of External Cooperation Department
