Arirang president resigns amid expense scandal

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Arirang president resigns amid expense scandal

Bang Suk-ho, the president of state-run English broadcaster Arirang TV, tendered his resignation on Tuesday following reports that he misused company funds on a business trip to New York, where he had a lavish caviar meal among other things.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said that it had accepted his resignation on Tuesday, adding that it will continue an investigation by Friday and levy punishment in accordance with the law if any irregularities are found. The head of Arirang TV hinted at his intention to resign late Monday following public backlash over his allegedly liberal use of company funds during a business trip to the United States in September to cover President Park Geun-hye’s address at the United Nations General Assembly. Arirang aired the event live.

Early on Monday, main opposition Minjoo Party Rep. Choi Min-hee said that Bang had spent $930 at a restaurant specializing in caviar on Sept. 24 and used his corporate credit card for food at the Woodbury Common Premium Outlets shopping mall on Sept. 27, both in New York. Arirang TV denied Bang’s misuse of corporate money during the trip, but admitted that mistakes had been made when expenses were recorded.

Bang, a former Hongik University professor, was appointed as president of Arirang TV in December 2014.

BY LEE HOO-NAM [kim.sohee0905@joongang.co.kr]
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