[Inside Chodong] Ruling and Opposition Parties’ Tug-of-War in the Science and Technology Committee: The Stork and Clam Standoff

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Hye-seon] "Passing by, I saw a stork pecking at a clam that had opened its mouth due to the rising tide. The clam, startled, closed its mouth and refused to let go of the stork's beak. The stork said, ‘If the rain doesn’t come, you will dry up and die,’ to which the clam retorted, ‘If I don’t let you go, you will starve to death.’ Their ongoing struggle eventually led to a fisherman’s unexpected fortune in catching both."

This is the story of ‘Banghyuljise (蚌鷸之勢)’ conveyed by Sode to King Hye of the Jo (趙) state when Jo was about to attack the Yan (燕) state. It is exactly like the current situation of the National Assembly’s Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Committee.

Ruling and opposition party members of the Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Committee (STIBC) continue to clash over committee operations. The People Power Party protests that Democratic Party Chairman Jeong Cheong-rae is running the committee unilaterally, while the Democratic Party insists it is following proper procedures. Since the reorganization of the National Assembly in the second half of July, there have been five disruptions. Due to the ruling party members’ boycott, not a single proper meeting has been held. Even the agenda to appoint the ruling party’s floor leader failed to pass. Furthermore, Chairman Jeong’s announcement that he would concurrently serve as a Supreme Council member of his party and the STIBC standing chairman has fueled the conflict.

The persistent tug-of-war between the ruling and opposition parties centers on the bill to reform the governance structure of public broadcasters. Currently, the boards of public broadcasters are filled with directors recommended by the ruling and opposition parties at a ratio of 7 to 4 for KBS and 6 to 3 for MBC. The Democratic Party proposes increasing the number of directors to 25 to minimize political influence. The People Power Party counters that while the Democratic Party remained silent when it was in power, it now seeks to minimize political influence as the opposition, which they interpret as an attempt to permanently control public broadcasting. To gain the upper hand in this battle, securing the position of the 2nd subcommittee chair, which handles related legislation, is crucial. During a meeting from which People Power Party members walked out, the Democratic Party appointed Jo Seung-rae as the 2nd subcommittee chair. The People Power Party members protested, saying, "It is customary for the STIBC chair and the 2nd subcommittee chair to be held by different parties."

The Broadcasting Culture Promotion Foundation, the major shareholder of MBC, is also in turmoil. When the ruling party called for the dismissal of MBC President Park Seong-je, director Kim Do-in, who shares a similar stance, proposed the dismissal resolution as an agenda item for the board. However, it is unlikely that Kim’s proposal will pass the board, as six out of nine board members are classified as opposition-leaning. The current board’s term lasts until August 2024. Although President Park’s term ends in February next year, the current board composition suggests the possibility of renewal. Both ruling and opposition parties claim to want to minimize political influence on broadcasting, but each is primarily looking out for their own interests.

As the conflict continues, the committee’s core duties such as agenda review and preparation for the national audit are being neglected. They have yet to discuss even the adoption of witnesses for the national audit starting on August 4. The departments and related companies quietly benefiting from the committee’s paralysis are smiling behind the scenes. The later the audit preparation is delayed, the bigger the loopholes to escape become. A senior official even hinted, "I hope the fight doesn’t end."

This is not the first time the STIBC has been paralyzed due to the ‘public broadcasting governance reform.’ In 2013, the National Assembly’s Future Creation, Science, Broadcasting and Communications Committee was effectively deadlocked for nearly a year. As a result, the bill approval rate after the 19th National Assembly began was only 2.4%, earning the committee the notorious label of a ‘do-nothing standing committee.’ It is time to get to work. We hope the National Assembly becomes ‘of the people, by the people, and for the people.’ In the American film Man of the Year directed by Barry Levinson, comedian Top Dobs (Robin Williams), who became president, said, "Are you tired of the parties’ fights? They have long forgotten what they represent. Politics must first be responsible to the people, not loyal to the parties."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.