The state-run broadcaster KBS said its president Kim In-kyu has been elected the 13th president of the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union at the organization’s 48th general meeting in New Delhi, India.

It is the first time a Korean broadcasting chief has been elected to the position, KBS said.

Recommended by acting president Datuk Ibrahim Yahaya, director-general of Radio-Television Malaysia (RTM), Kim was the sole candidate for the post and more than 50 member broadcasters unanimously voted for his approval, KBS said.

During the three-year term from January 2012 to the end of 2014, Kim will be in charge of ABU’s broadcasting policy, personnel management of the secretariat, development of joint programs and the exchange of news reports among member broadcasters.

Formed in 1964, ABU currently has 220 members in 60 countries and regions. It mainly helps broadcasting development in the Asia-Pacific region and its secretariat is located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

(yoonmi@heraldcorp.com)