KBS Programming Uncertain Due to Labor Union Strike

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Due to the strike by two labor unions against TV network KBS, upcoming television programming for the broadcaster has become uncertain.

The strike began today after the KBS board failed to reach a conclusion on whether to vote on a proposal to oust current company president, Gil Hwan Young. The meeting ended with a decision to meet again on June 5 to go over the matter once more, and the labor unions were proceeded with the threatened strike.

Gil Hwan Young has been under fire for reportedly succumbing to presidential office pressure to produce news favorable to the current government. Such allegations against Gil Hwan Young gained more traction over KBS's coverage of last month's Sewol ferry tragedy.

The strike has notably put the programming of KBS' popular weekend drama "Wonderful Days" (starring Kim Hee Sun, Lee Seo Jin, and Taecyeon) in danger. Recording for the drama has stopped, and while it is expected to start up again this coming Monday, things remain open. Despite the stall in recording, the upcoming Saturday and Sunday broadcast of the drama will  go on as scheduled as those episodes have already been filmed.

With the labor unions including reporters and producers, many KBS news programs are facing changes in anchors or simply an absence of a host. Drama and other show producers are also taken part in the strike, so unless an agreement is reached soon, we can expect to see changes and instability in KBS programming in the near future. 

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