[Inside Chodong] Concerns Over Lee Dongkwan's Pledge to Create a Fair Media Environment

Strong Opposition from Seven Media Organizations and Opposition Parties
Concerns Over 'Media Control' Emerge Even Within the Ruling Party

Lee Dong-kwan, a former spokesperson for the Lee Myung-bak administration and special advisor for external cooperation, is preparing to take a frontline role as the chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, overseeing media-related policies and regulations. Despite strong opposition from seven media organizations including the Korean Federation of Media Workers' Unions, the Korea Journalists Association, the Broadcast Journalists Union, and opposition parties, the presidential office is widely expected not to waver in its intention to appoint him, consistent with its previous actions.

Since his nomination as chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, Lee's statements have been perfectly aligned with the context advocated by the Yoon Seok-yeol administration. Seemingly aware of the public concerns that had been raised steadily since his name was floated before the nomination, he emphasized that "the media cannot and should not be controlled," outlining key policy directions such as combating fake news, restoring a fair media ecosystem, resolving conflicts and divisions among media camps, and innovating the media industry through deregulation.

On the surface, there appears to be nothing particularly worrisome in his statements. Considering that major outlets like the BBC and The New York Times are taking extraordinary measures against the proliferation of fake news, including the use of artificial intelligence (AI), and that the domestic news content distribution ecosystem has long been dominated by monopolistic platforms, his agenda carries significant meaning. It is also in line with the tasks declared by the Media Special Committee formed by the Presidential Commission on National Unity, suggesting sufficient momentum.

However, his views on the media and specific remarks are likely to remain controversial for a long time. On his way to prepare for the confirmation hearing, he told reporters, "Freedom must be accompanied by responsibility," adding, "Irresponsibly spreading fake news and conveying logic or claims based on the partisan interests of a particular camp is a departure from the core domain of journalism," inadvertently evoking suspicions of media control reminiscent of the MB administration era.

The seven media organizations interpreted this as a statement targeting media critical of the current ruling party and have voiced concerns day after day. They argue that the government views media critical of it as producers of fake news based on one-sided claims and is likely to use public authority under the pretext of creating a fair media ecosystem to tame or control the press. Given that his remarks emphasized ‘responsibility’ over freedom while pointing out the partisanship of the media between the lines, there is ample room for such interpretations.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The so-called ‘Communist Party organ’ remark further fueled the controversy. Lee appeared determined when he added, "No political party, especially the newspapers and broadcasts of the Communist Party, which were adept at propaganda and agitation in the past, can be called media," clearly defining his policy stance after his appointment as chairman. Although the Korea Communications Commission is a collegial body, he seems to have emphasized his role as a player rather than a mediator.

The Korea Communications Commission, a five-member collegial body, has already exerted direct influence by swiftly handling agenda items such as separating KBS license fee collection and dismissing board members with a three-member panel including the acting chairman. If Lee’s leadership is fully operational, this momentum is likely to accelerate. Even former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min expressed concern, saying, "President Yoon’s intention to appoint Lee Dong-kwan as chairman is to take control of public broadcasters like KBS, MBC, and YTN," lamenting the recurring pattern whenever administrations change.

The Yoon Seok-yeol administration has targeted major portals and public broadcasters for innovation under the pretext of ‘bias’ through presidential special committees and related commissions. After much deliberation, President Yoon nominated this special advisor to the Korea Communications Commission chairmanship, considered one of the most political positions. There is a growing unease that his proclaimed plans to restore a fair media ecosystem, create public broadcasters like the ‘BBC,’ and foster platforms like ‘Netflix’ may remain mere rhetoric.

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