Korea TV Debate Star Announces Resignation

TV presenter Sohn Seok-hee

By Cho Jae-hyon
Staff Reporter

Sohn Seok-hee, one of the most influential TV personalities in the nation, said Thursday he will quit MBC TV's "100 Minutes Debate" program, asking viewers not to interpret his quitting politically.

In a long letter posted on the Web site of the nation's second largest broadcaster, Sohn said he has decided to step down before an announcement is made by his company.

"I'm posting this letter to say a good bye. With my quitting becomes an issue in and outside of the company, I have decided that it's not right to remain a burden to all of the parties concerned," Sohn said.

Sohn, known as a TV personality with liberal ideals, is the latest in a series of celebrities who have been replaced since the inauguration of the conservative Lee Myung-bak administration.

He has hosted the debate show handling sensitive social and political issues for the last eight years. Sohn has been picked as the most influential TV figures in various polls so far.

"In a note I posted 10 months ago on this site, I wrote that I'm free from any political propensities," he said. "Over the last eight years when I hosted the program, I've delivered on this pledge. My quitting has nothing to do with any political motives whatsoever."

He also asked viewers not to bother to read between the lines.

Sohn said he will host the show four times more before the program restructuring.

His walkway came days after TV presenter Kim Je-dong was dismissed from KBS weekend primetime show ``Star Golden Bell."Rocker Yoon Do-hyun was suspended from his long-running KBS2 show ``Love Letter'' last November.

chojh@koreatimes.co.kr