KBS shortlists three president candidates ahead of October 20 final interviews

KBS has narrowed the field for its next president to three candidates after a public recommendation committee meeting at its headquarters in Seoul's Yeongdeungpo district on October 17. The candidates are Kim Yeong-sam (김영삼), a former KBS Media chief; Eom Gyeong-cheol (엄경철), a former head of KBS's Busan broadcasting headquarters who now works in its licence-fee department; and Lee Tae-hyeon (이태현), a former head of KBS's content business department. The board plans to interview the three on October 20 and choose one person to recommend for appointment by the president. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]

The committee involved 205 members aged 20 to 83, selected to represent the country's distribution by gender, age and region. Its meeting ran from 12:20 to 18:00 and was streamed through KBS platforms. Members heard presentations on the candidates' management philosophy and plans before holding 80 minutes of deliberative discussion. They also questioned candidates on maintaining KBS's independence and strengthening public trust. Newsis reported that questions covered labour conditions, gender equality and how candidates would respond when commercial interests conflicted with public broadcasting duties. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]

Newsis said committee members evaluated candidates across five areas, including public service and independence, future vision, financial stability, accountability and ethics, and suitability for the presidency. Three of the five applicants advanced to the board's final interviews. Kyunghyang Shinmun described the public recommendation committee as a mechanism introduced under revisions to broadcasting laws to allow public participation in selecting public-broadcaster leaders. After the board recommends one candidate, that person must undergo a National Assembly confirmation hearing before the president makes the final appointment. The new KBS president's term is three years, with one reappointment permitted. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]