KBS CEO and president Kim In-kyu will receive the 2012 International Emmy Directorate Award, in recognition of his 40 years of service at the state-run broadcaster and his leading role in Asia’s broadcasting industry. Kim is the first Korean to win the award.

“KBS is one of the great television services in the world, and Kim one of the leading media figures in Asia.” said Bruce L. Paisner, President & CEO of The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

“We are looking forward to presenting him with the Directorate Award as he embarks on celebrating his 40th anniversary at the service of KBS,” he added. The academy is one of the largest organizations of broadcasters in the world based in New York, where Kim will accept the award on Nov. 19.

“KBS, as the key public service broadcaster of Korea, has been striving to achieve the goal of fair and distinctive broadcasting for the benefit of the public. On behalf of KBS, I humbly accept this honor,” said Kim in a statement.

Kim joined KBS in 1973 as a reporter and has served in several key positions, including member of the KBS Board of Governors, managing director of new media and executive director of news & current affairs. In 2009, Kim was appointed to KBS’ top post. He is also the president of the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union, a three-year term he began serving in 2011.

KBS, the country’s public broadcaster, reaches a global audience of 50 million households in 73 countries via its flagship international channel KBS World. KBS launched the world’s first terrestrial DMB service on Dec. 1, 2005, offering television, audio and data services. KBS World TV, the international satellite channel launched in 2003, transmits KBS content throughout Europe, the Middle East, North America and most of Asia.

By Cho Chung-un (christory@heraldcorp.com)