Statements given by Foundation for Broadcast Culture (FBC) Chairman Kim Woo-ryong are making waves because he hinted that the government may have been involved in the personnel reshuffle at MBC on March 8. Chairman Kim gave the statements during　a interview with the Monthly Donga. Chairman Kim also stated that he had in fact urged former MBC president Um Ki-young to resign.

Chairman Kim said during an interview in the Monthly Donga’s April 2010 issue published on March 17, “This personnel reshuffle at MBC was not orchestrated by newly selected President Kim Jae-chul alone.” Chairman Kim continued, “This was made after the ‘big house’ summoned Kim and kicked him in the shin.” Chairman Kim did not specify what the ‘big house’ means, thus, some analysts wonder whether it is the Korea Communications Commission (KCC) or the Cheong Wa Dae.

Chairman Kim also called MBC President Kim Jae-chul a “house cleaner for sweeping away leftists.” Chairman Kim added, “In an easy word, the first criterion for the MBC president was selection of a person who would easily follow orders of authority.” Chairman Kim said, “President Kim has worked hard as a house cleaner because I asked him to be a house cleaner.”

In addition, Chairman Kim also said, “I drew an outline for the personnel reshuffle at MBC when I met Kim Jae-chul, and he said to me, ‘Do not worry about that.’” Chairman Kim’s remarks indicate that he advised or ordered the personnel reshuffle at MBC in order to sweep away so-called leftists at MBC.

He evaluated the results of personnel reshuffle by saying, “Seventy to eighty percent of leftists at MBC were cleared out. Newly selected President Kim properly carried out his duties in the reshuffle.”

Regarding the resignation of former MBC president Um Ki-young, Chairman Kim said “I achieved 120 percent of my goal, since he resigned on his own when I wanted to expel him.” Chairman Kim added, “I made the decision that I would fire him if he did not resign by February.”

However, Chairman Kim is denying the statements given during the interview. When a Hankyoreh reporter called for a telephone interview and asked about his statements, Chairman Kim replied, “There has been some exaggeration about these statements. I was just giving a background to the MBC affair freely with the reporter.”

Additionally, MBC President Kim Jae-chul also told reporters, “The statements Chairman Kim is quoted as saying are not true.”

Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]