KBS Insider to Head Network KBS President Sacked KBS Appointment Is the Acid Test KBS Shooting Itself in the Foot Court in Snub to Ex-KBS President

There are 29 instances of irregularities committed by Jung that the BAI uncovered, ranging from mismanagement to abuse of authority in appointing KBS officials. It is simply mind-numbing to see the scale of mismanagement under Jung of a network paid for by television reception fees collected from the public. During the four years since he stepped in to lead KBS, the company turned from profit to an accrued deficit of W117.2 billion (US$1=W1,018). Forget about management efficiency. KBS under Jung also raised labor costs by 15.3 percent, which is more than double the 7 percent average increase at state-invested institutions between 2004 and 2006. The average annual salary at KBS is estimated at over W80 million, if you add various bonuses on top of the W76 million average yearly salary as of 2006 that the broadcaster made public on its website.

Jung wielded his authority in promoting or firing team leaders by issuing a rule that made only his decision necessary for such moves, negating deliberations by a personnel committee. There were 23 instances where Jung appointed staff who scored poorly on their performance reports as team leaders, while sacking team leaders who had scored well. KBS dropped a lawsuit seeking a corporate tax refund and Jung decided to settle for W50 billion even though a lower court had ordered the tax office to refund W230 billion of the corporate tax KBS paid. The BAI views it as a strong possibility of Jung committed breach of trust, which prosecutors are investigating right now.

Throughout the Roh Moo-hyun administration, Jung brought KBS down to the role of serving as the president’s guard dog. And now Jung is insisting that he must keep his job to uphold the independence of public broadcasting from government influence. This is simply ridiculous. The best way for Jung to avoid further shame and embarrassment would be to step down now.