KBS announcer Kim Jin-woong (37), who caused controversy by mentioning broadcaster Do Kyung-wan as "the sub of his wife Jang Yoon-jung," has also faced viewer petitions demanding his departure from KBS.
On the 25th, a petition titled "Request for Kim Jin-woong's departure from all programs and resignation" was registered on the KBS viewer petition board.
The author of the petition stated, "As a viewer who pays the license fee, I feel deep disappointment and anger at the recent remarks and attitude of KBS announcer Kim Jin-woong," adding, "A public broadcaster's announcer is not just a host but a position that must demonstrate trust and dignity through their words and actions before the public."
The author noted, "However, announcer Kim Jin-woong made a remark targeting his senior colleague in the entertainment program, stating, 'I cannot live as someone's sub,'" and said, "This was an inappropriate remark that crossed the line of a mere joke, publicly belittling a specific person."
The author continued, "In particular, the fact that despite being in his late 30s and an announcer, (in his apology statement) Kim mentioned he did not want to miss a precious opportunity that came to him, speaking as if he were a high school teenager in his late teens, is even more shocking," and stressed, "It is inexcusable that he could not manage basic words and actions as an announcer."
He added, "Kim Jin-woong's remarks undermine the dignity of all KBS announcers and betray the trust of the citizens who pay the license fee," and strongly petitioned for "the complete departure of Kim Jin-woong from all programs and resignation from KBS announcer position."
KBS viewer petitions will be responded to by the department head if more than 1,000 people agree within 30 days (one month).
Kim Jin-woong made his controversial remarks on the previous day's broadcast of KBS2's "Boss's Ears Are Donkey Ears," where he visited a marriage information company and said, "I cannot live like senior Do Kyung-wan. It might be a rude remark to my senior, but I cannot live as someone's sub."
In response, Jang Yoon-jung expressed her displeasure by posting a captured article containing his remarks on her Instagram, stating, "Words or actions that do not allow the other party to laugh cannot be packaged as 'jokes' or 'funny,'" and added, "There is no 'sub' among family."
As the controversy arose, Kim Jin-woong took to social media to say, "I apologize for causing concern to seniors Do Kyung-wan and Jang Yoon-jung with my careless remarks on today's broadcast," and added, "I am still inexperienced, and it seems that this is a precious opportunity that has come to me, so I was overly eager and not cautious."
Jang Yoon-jung married Do Kyung-wan, a former KBS announcer, in 2013, and they have one son and one daughter together. Since then, they have shared their family's daily life through various entertainment programs, including YouTube and "The Return of Superman."