The KBS board of directors has delayed its vote on the dismissal of President Gil Hwan-young.
 
The vote was delayed until June 5 after nine hours of deliberation on Wednesday.
 
The board said it decided to delay the vote to mediate between workers and management as they stand strongly opposed to each other. 

KBS' two labor unions are demanding Gil's resignation. They claim he hurt the public broadcaster’s integrity and independence by letting the presidential office wield influence over KBS news broadcasts.
 
As the vote did not take place, the two labor unions launched a strike at five a.m. Thursday. KBS reporters have already been boycotting news production since May 19, urging Gil to step down.
 
It is the first time that both labor unions have gone on strike simultaneously.
 
KBS management said the strike is illegal in terms of its objective as well as its procedural legitimacy. It said it will be stern in its application of the law and company rules.