State-run broadcaster implements major personnel reshuffle on news programs
The state-run Korea Broadcasting System has appointed a female anchor to lead its weekend news for the first time in 33 years, amidst a major reshuffle of its news and current affairs programs taking effect this week.
Starting Saturday, Lee Yoon-hee will be the sole anchor of KBS' flagship news program, "News 9," on weekends. The program airs daily at 9 p.m., with Choi Moon-jong and Park Ji-won co-anchoring on weekdays and Lee anchoring on weekends.
This is the first time in 33 years that a female anchor will solo-host KBS's weekend news, following Shin Eun-kyung, who led the weekend news as the sole anchor from 1981 to 1992.
Lee, who joined KBS in 2001 as a reporter, has covered, including social affairs, politics and the economy. She has anchored several key KBS news programs including "News Time," "News 12," "Newsline W" and the economic news program "Economy & Concert."
“With her extensive experience in both reporting and anchoring, Lee is the ideal choice to lead the weekend 'News 9' solo,” KBS said in a statement. “The program aims to help viewers reflect on the week and prepare for the one ahead.”
As part of the network’s broader anchor reshuffle, KBS' evening news program, "News 7," which airs daily at 7 p.m. on KBS 1TV, will now hosted by anchors Kim Hee-soo and Heo Yoo-won.
Kim joined KBS in 2002 and has built a career particularly in international news, with past roles in "Global 24" and "World News." Meanwhile, Heo, a 2023 recruit, is to take on her first regular news anchoring role with "News 7."
Kim Hyun-kyung, the anchor of the weekend "News 9," has been moved to the late-night news program "Newsline W."
At Seoul Broadcasting System, Jung Yu-mi has been anchoring "SBS 8 News" on weekends since 2023. She is the second woman to lead SBS’s flagship news program, following Lee Ji-hyun in 1995.
At Munhwa Broadcasting System, two women serve as co-anchors with two men on its main news programs. The network’s primary news program, "MBC Newsdesk," is co-anchored by Kim Soo-ji and Jo Hyun-yong on weekdays, while Kim Cho-rong and Kim Kyung-ho, co-helm the weekend editions.
yoonseo.3348@heraldcorp.com
