Park Jang-beom
Overview
Park Jang-beom (박장범, 1965–) is a South Korean journalist and broadcaster who took office as the president of the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) in 2024, demonstrating leadership amid the crisis of public broadcasting. He is evaluated as a figure who contributed to in-depth reporting on political and social issues and the protection of press freedom through over 30 years of experience as a reporter.
Main Content
Life and Education
Park Jang-beom was born in Seoul in 1965 and graduated from Seoul National University with a degree in Sociology. He developed an interest in journalism during his university years and joined KBS as a publicly recruited reporter in 1991. Subsequently, he covered various fields within the KBS News Department, including the Political Desk, Social Affairs Desk, and International Desk.
Journalism Career
- As a Political Reporter: From the late 1990s to the early 2000s, he worked as a presidential press correspondent, providing in-depth coverage of major policies and inter-Korean relations under the Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun administrations. He gained particular attention for his on-site reporting during the 2000 Inter-Korean Summit.
- Anchor Experience: In the 2010s, he served as the anchor of KBS News 9, delivering major events and incidents and earning viewers' trust. His hosting was known for being neutral yet sharp in analysis.
- As News Director: Appointed as KBS News Director in 2018, he focused on enhancing the independence of public broadcasting and the quality of journalism. During this period, he declared a war against fake news and strengthened the fact-checking system.
Appointment as KBS President
In January 2024, Park Jang-beom was appointed as the president of KBS. His appointment came at a time when KBS was facing difficulties amid financial troubles and political pressure. In his inaugural speech, he stated, "Public broadcasting exists for the people's right to know," and pledged to "secure both political neutrality and financial soundness."
Major Policies and Controversies
- Financial Structure Reform: To address the financial crisis caused by the issue of separate collection of license fees, he pursued the adjustment of license fees to realistic levels and diversification of advertising revenue. This process led to conflicts with some civic groups, but he explained it as "an inevitable choice for the sustainability of public broadcasting."
- Strengthening Editorial Independence: To prevent external political interference, he expanded the authority of the Programming Committee and introduced a whistleblower protection system.
- Digital Transformation: To strengthen KBS's digital platform, he expanded cooperation with YouTube and OTT services and introduced an AI-based news production system.
Latest Trends
As of 2025, President Park Jang-beom is simultaneously pursuing large-scale restructuring and digital innovation at KBS. According to the 'KBS Vision 2030' plan announced at the end of 2024, he is expanding AI automation in the newsroom to 30% by 2025 and carrying out a project to convert regional broadcasting stations into digital hubs. Additionally, he has recently strengthened the cooperation system with MBC to expand content sharing among public broadcasters. Meanwhile, conflicts with the labor union are intensifying due to his strong reform style, and a partial strike occurred in February 2025 following a breakdown in wage negotiations. However, he remains unwavering in his reform commitment, stating, "Change comes with pain, but it is necessary for the future of KBS."
Related Topics
- [[KBS]]
- [[Public Broadcasting]]
- [[Press Freedom]]
- [[Journalism]]
- [[License Fee]]
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