Prosecutors Conduct Search and Seizure at Office and Residence of Broadcasting Commission Chairman over 'TV Chosun Reauthorization Suspicion'

[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] The prosecution has conducted a search and seizure of the office and residence of Han Sang-hyuk, chairman of the Korea Communications Commission (KCC), in connection with allegations of intentional score reduction in the TV Chosun re-approval process.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 16th, the Criminal Division 5 of the Seoul Northern District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Park Kyung-seop) announced that from the morning of the same day, they were conducting a search and seizure of Chairman Han's office and residence in relation to the case of obstruction of official duties through manipulation of the KCC re-approval scores. It is reported that the prosecution secured Chairman Han's mobile phone, PC, and work notebooks through the search. This is the fourth time the prosecution has conducted a search and seizure at the KCC.

In September of last year, the prosecution received materials from the Board of Audit and Inspection regarding suspicions of score manipulation during the TV Chosun re-approval process and launched an investigation. The re-approval criteria for general programming channels require a minimum score of 650 out of 1000 points, and at least 50% of the points in key evaluation categories. Failure to meet these scores results in conditional re-approval or denial of re-approval. In the 2020 re-approval process, TV Chosun received 653.39 points, but failed to exceed 50% of the points in the key evaluation category of 'public responsibility and fairness of broadcasting, and the necessity for regional, social, and cultural aspects,' resulting in conditional re-approval.

The prosecution believes that Yang, a director, and Cha, a manager, who were working in the broadcasting policy department at the time, informed the evaluators of the scores and requested modifications. Yang was detained on the 1st of this month, and Cha was indicted in detention on the 31st of last month. Additionally, on the 14th, a detention warrant was requested for Professor Yoon (63), who was the head of the evaluation committee at the time, on charges of conspiring with them to alter the scores. Judge Lim Ki-hwan of the Seoul Northern District Court, who is in charge of detention warrants, is scheduled to conduct a pre-trial detention hearing for Professor Yoon the following day.

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