EBS Headquarters Raided by Prosecutors Amid Corruption Allegations: President Yoo Si-chun Objects

◀ Anchor ▶

Prosecutors raided the headquarters of public broadcaster EBS today, a day after President Yoon Seok-yeol said, “I have no intention of controlling the media.”

The plan was to obtain evidence regarding EBS President Yoo Si-chun, who was appointed by the previous government, in violation of the Anti-Graft Act and allegations of illegal use of business expenses, but President Yoo objected, calling it a “violent investigation.” ” aims to take control of the public broadcaster.

Reporter Lee Ji-eun reports.

◀ Statement ▶

When prosecution investigators holding blue boxes tried to enter EBS, they were blocked by officers and staff.

The prosecutors began to search and seize the office of EBS President, Yoo Si-chun.

[검찰 수사관]

<강제 수사가 필요하다고 생각하신 이유가 따로 있을까요?>

“It’s almost like a random check. We have asked you to enter (data) several times. “I take it today again with permission.”

Last month, the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission asked the allegation to be investigated, saying, “Chairman Yoo violated the Anti-Graft Act and used business expenses for personal purposes. ”

Chairman Yoo is said to have caused EBS 17 million worth of losses by entertaining public officials with meals exceeding 30,000 won and misappropriating business expenses for personal use at shops butcher and side dish stores.

The prosecutor moved the investigation report on the chairman and details about the use of corporate cards in the form of a voluntary application.

Chairman Yoo objected that the search and seizure of documents that had already been submitted to the Korea Communications Commission was a petty and violent investigation.

[유시춘/EBS 이사장]

“(I am) an appointee of the Moon Jae-in administration, so I think there may have been some kind of hostile feelings underlying it. “I’m really surprised that people think so lightly about finding and catching public broadcasting.”

With five months left in his term, the Korea Communications Commission has begun impeachment procedures, and the investigation and arrest of the prosecutors are all steps to get him out.

In addition, regarding the suspicion of misuse of business expenses, he refused, saying, “It was difficult to meet people outside because of the coronavirus, so I bought food and gifts right now meet people in my writing room. ”

The EBS union said this was the first investigation and arrest since its establishment and condemned it as “an outrage against EBS and an extension of the current administration’s efforts to control public broadcasting and the media.”

In response, the prosecutor said, “The search and seizure was for the purpose of investigating President Yoo’s personal corruption allegations and was not related to EBS operations, broadcasting or reporting.” ”

This is Lee Ji-eun from MBC News.

Video Broadcast: Byeong-sun Yoon / Video Editing: Sang-min Lee / Screen Provided by: EBS