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New MBC president MBC President Choi Seung-ho and MBC labor union leader Kim Yeon-guk make a joint statement reinstating a number of dismissed journalists on Choi’s first day of work at the MBC headquarters in the Yeouido District of Seoul on Dec. 8. (by Kim Jeong-hyo

“The MBC network and union declare here and now that the dismissals of Kang Ji-woong, Park Seong-je, Park Seong-ho, Lee Yong-ma, Jeong Yeong-ha, and Choi Seung-ho are null and void, and all of them are reinstated as of Dec. 8, 2017. – MBC President Choi Seung-ho.”

There were no more hired police blocking the entrance to the building. Instead, hundreds of MBC employees came out to greet their reinstated colleagues with applause and cheers. Smiling faces were all around on Choi’s first day at work after being reinstated as the network’s new president – just shy of 2,000 days after his dismissal.

At around 8:35 am on Dec. 8, Choi entered the first-floor lobby of the MBC building in Seoul’s Sangam neighborhood. As predicted, his first message as president was a reinstatement of his dismissed colleagues. Soon afterwards, he joined MBC union president Kim Yeon-guk in a joint labor/management statement announcing the reinstatement.

“I have been fighting with the word ‘public’ planted in my heart,” Choi said, expressing his “thanks as a representative.”

“As my first duty, I will be immediately issuing a directive invalidating [the workers’] dismissal and ordering their reinstatement,” he added.

“Going forward, I will take into account your dreams and most heartfelt wishes and ensure they can be realized. I will bring about a day when MBC quickly rises again and returns to the public,” he said.

Kim, who joined Choi in reciting the joint statement, said the new network president was “someone who has shared the struggle and fight as a dismissed journalist.”

“As president, I expect [Choi] will abide by the Constitution and broadcasting law as a public broadcasting figure rather than focusing only on viewers,” Kim said.

In traveling up to the president’s office on the 14th floor, Choi used the employee elevator rather than the one reserved for executives.

“Since I haven’t been allowed in MBC, I don’t know anything about the 14th floor,” he said, proposing that fellow employees “join me in my first visit.” Dozens of employees who had gathered to see the joint statement accompanied him up.

“I intend to remove all of the things that have become symbols of separation and alienation. If you share your opinions with me, I will reflect them,” Choi said.

The 14th floor of the MBC building includes the president’s office, a reception room, and other executive offices. The reception room is where personnel committee meetings are primarily held – and where numerous employees have passed through on their way to “unfair disciplinary measures” since the network moved to the Sangam building in 2014.

“For employees, the 14th floor has been a symbol of insularity and authority,” said Kim as he looked around the reception room with Choi.

“Most employee had no reason to be here unless they were facing disciplinary action,” he said.

When asked by reporters for his reaction after viewing the 14th floor, Choi said it “weighs heavy on my heart to think about the matter of bringing MBC back.” He also promised the 14th floor would “continue to be open to employees.”

“New leaders of the various divisions are about to be chosen in the upcoming personnel appointments, and I think those leaders will lead the way in open communication with members of MBC,” he said.

By Kim Hyo-sil, staff reporter

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