Translation result
On May 4, 2026, the National Union of Media Workers, chaired by Lee Ho-chan, signed a policy agreement with Justice Party candidate Kwon Young-guk and Progressive Party candidate Lee Sang-gyu — both running for Seoul mayor in the 9th simultaneous local elections — committing to the restoration of TBS.
Lee Ho-chan said, “Unlike prior election pacts, this one focuses on a single issue. We made restoring TBS the sole policy condition for Seoul mayoral candidates. That underscores how urgent the situation is. TBS staff have gone without production funds for more than 3 years and have been unpaid for 1 year and 8 months. Addressing TBS’s problems is more urgent now than ever.”
He added, “Trying to eliminate an entire broadcaster over criticism of a single program is without precedent. Restoring TBS, which was damaged under the previous administration, is our central task. TBS needs immediate emergency support and the reinstatement of its funded and affiliated institutions.”
The agreement the union signed with the two parties calls for administrative and political steps to restore TBS’s status; legal and administrative measures to secure support; immediate actions to stabilize management; emergency operational aid to prevent interruptions to public services; and regular channels of communication to foster cooperation and development. The union said it plans to ask other Seoul mayoral candidates, including those from the Democratic Party, to review and consider similar agreements.
Justice Party candidate Kwon Young-guk said, “TBS should obviously be restored and normalized. Closing an entire broadcaster over a few programs is indefensible. Mayor Oh Se-hoon claims he didn’t do this, saying the council repealed the ordinance and stopped budget payments that are necessary to operate the public frequency TBS holds. He’s obscuring a fact that anyone can see.” He added, “If I become Seoul mayor, I will allocate contingency funds to TBS and prioritize paying essential staff wages.”
Progressive Party candidate Lee Sang-gyu said, “Mayor Oh cut TBS’s budget, repealed its ordinance, and excluded it from affiliated institutions, carrying out severe institutional pressure that affected other public bodies as well. Restoring TBS must be an urgent priority. If we wait, transmission itself could be halted — this cannot be delayed. We must design medium- and long-term safeguards so no mayor can manipulate broadcasting at will.” He added, “The most urgent step is administrative action to deliver emergency support for TBS’s immediate needs.”
Most Commented