KBS Symphony Orchestra moved to potentially replace 67 positions in its 100-strong orchestra on Monday, upping the ante against players in an intensifying labor dispute.
The orchestra put out a notice of vacant positions across a total of 16 instruments, without specifying the exact number of vacancies.
The move comes amid prolonged labor strife at KBS Symphony. Two thirds of its players are refusing to sign a contract with the orchestra but insist on remaining on the payroll of their current employer, KBS, the state-run broadcasting firm.
KBS Symphony was spun off from KBS in September 2012. For the past 2 1/2 years, the musicians had performed on a special employee-dispatch arrangement between KBS and KBS Symphony, but that agreement was terminated last week. Doubts over job security are the main reason why the musicians are refusing the transfer.
Applications for the vacant positions are open until April 15.
By Lee Sun-young (milaya@heraldcorp.com)
