'Busan Stalking Perpetrator's' Older Sister = Drama Lead.. KBS Speaks Out: "Family Verification Impossible, Explicitly Stated in Law" [Full Text]

*This content was translated by AI.

KBS responded to a petition by the bereaved family of the victim in the 'Busan Stalking Fall Death Case.' Previously, the family had requested action, stating, "The perpetrator's family who took my daughter is living a peaceful life. The perpetrator's older sister is currently appearing in a KBS daily drama."

On the 16th, on its viewer petition board, KBS began by saying, "First, we offer our deepest condolences to the deceased and sincerely convey our sympathy to the bereaved family who are in deep sorrow and pain after losing their beloved family member."

It then stated, "We will now explain the corporation's position on this matter. When casting programs, the corporation verifies the performer's own criminal history or potential for social controversy. However, we do not conduct prior verification of the performer's family members, nor is it realistically feasible to do so. Therefore, we state that the corporation could not have confirmed this matter in advance."

It further emphasized, "As explicitly stated in Article 13, Paragraph 3 of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea: 'No citizen shall be subjected to any disadvantageous treatment on account of the acts of their relatives,' it is also considered impossible to take separate measures solely based on being a member of a family."

Previously, on the 3rd, the petitioner, who identified themselves as the 'Bereaved Family of the Busan Office Building Fall Death Case,' expressed their anguish: "We lost our beloved daughter unjustly. Our daughter suffered from the perpetrator's vicious stalking and eventually met an unjust death. Since that day, my time has stopped. Yet, the world feels so indifferent and cruel. The family of the perpetrator who took my daughter is still living a peaceful life today. The perpetrator's older sister is currently appearing in a significant role in a KBS evening daily drama, acting as a beloved actor without any apparent concern."

He continued, "Our daughter died unjustly, while the perpetrator's daughter is thriving as an actress. How can the world be so unfair? I hope my daughter's injustice is not forgotten by the world." He then said, "I ask KBS: Did you know or not know about these facts? Please state your position and request responsible action from a public broadcaster. We beg you to alleviate our family's injustice even slightly." This petition received 1,260 signatures before its October 3rd deadline, ultimately resulting in a response from KBS.

The Busan Office Building Fall Death Case refers to an incident that occurred at an office building in Jin-gu, Busan, in January 2024. A woman in her 20s, Ms. B, fell and died during an argument with her former boyfriend, Mr. A.

Initially, Mr. A told the police that the victim had fallen after he left his home, but during the investigation, it was revealed that he had continuously assaulted and stalked the victim.

Mr. A was investigated for frequently visiting Ms. B, who requested a breakup, and engaging in violence. He was found to have knocked on her front door for 17 hours straight. Additionally, he shattered wine glasses or threw chairs in front of Ms. B, creating physical threats and instilling fear.

Subsequently, Mr. A was brought to trial on charges including special intimidation, intimidation, property damage, refusal to vacate, and violation of the Stalking Punishment Act. The first-instance court sentenced him to three years and six months in prison and ordered him to complete 40 hours of a stalking treatment program, but the sentence was reduced to three years and two months on appeal, reflecting efforts made for victim recovery.

However, direct criminal responsibility for Ms. B's death was not determined in this trial. The bereaved family argued that Mr. A should be charged with aiding suicide, citing that Ms. B had been hanging onto the window frame just before her fall, but this was not reflected in the trial proceedings.

First, we offer our deepest condolences to the deceased and sincerely convey our sympathy to the bereaved family who are in deep sorrow and pain after losing their beloved family member.

We will now explain the corporation's position on this matter.

When casting programs, the corporation verifies the performer's own criminal history or potential for social controversy. However, we do not conduct prior verification of the performer's family members, nor is it realistically feasible to do so.

Therefore, we state that the corporation could not have confirmed this matter in advance.

Furthermore, as explicitly stated in Article 13, Paragraph 3 of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea: "No citizen shall be subjected to any disadvantageous treatment on account of the acts of their relatives," it is also considered impossible to take separate measures solely based on being a member of a family.

We offer our condolences to the bereaved family once again.

Thank you.

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*This content was translated by AI.