Kwon Ik-wi: "Jeong Min-young, Broadcasting Commission Member, Violated Conflict of Interest Prevention Law"

The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC) has determined that Jeong Min-young, a member of the Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC), violated the Conflict of Interest Prevention Act. Jeong previously faced controversy over violating conflict of interest prevention regulations while representing MBC in a past lawsuit.

Jeong Seung-yoon, Vice Chairman and Secretary General of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, is holding a briefing at 11:30 a.m. on the 8th at the Government Seoul Office.
[Image source=Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission]

On the 8th, Jeong Seung-yoon, Vice Chairman and Secretary General of the ACRC, stated at a briefing at the Government Complex Seoul, "At the emergency subcommittee meeting held today, it was judged that (Jeong) knowingly failed to fulfill the obligation to report and recuse himself despite having a private interest related to his official duties, and participated in deliberation and resolution meetings deciding related sanctions," adding, "It was determined that disciplinary action by the affiliated institution and imposition of fines are necessary due to violation of the Conflict of Interest Prevention Act."

Accordingly, the ACRC plans to transfer all related materials to the supervisory bodies, the Korea Communications Commission and the KCSC, within the day.

Earlier, the Citizens' Coalition for Fair Media (CCFM) filed a complaint with the ACRC at the end of last month, alleging that Jeong violated the 'KCSC Staff Conflict of Interest Prevention Rules.' As a lawyer and opposition-recommended KCSC member, he represented MBC in lawsuits related to controversies such as President Yoon Seok-yeol’s vulgar remarks and suspicions involving former JTBC CEO Sohn Suk-hee’s co-passenger, yet allegedly participated dozens of times in KCSC deliberations related to MBC.

Upon investigation, the ACRC explained that Jeong was confirmed to have attended meetings deciding sanctions against MBC without reporting or recusing himself, thus participating in deliberations and resolutions. Furthermore, the ACRC judged that Jeong’s attendance without reporting or recusal at meetings related to the election of the deliberation committee chairperson, while serving as legal counsel for former KCSC member Jeong Yeon-ju’s recently suspended dismissal injunction application, constituted a violation of conflict of interest prevention.

Additionally, the CCFM accused another opposition-recommended KCSC member, Kim Yoo-jin, of having worked at the Citizens' Coalition for Democratic Media within two years prior to appointment and participating in meetings deciding on broadcasting reviews requested by that organization without reporting or recusal, filing a complaint. In response, Vice Chairman Jeong said, "It was confirmed that both members participated in deliberations and resolutions of broadcasting review meetings requested by the organization claimed by the complainant (CCFM) without reporting or recusal," but added, "We judged that further investigation is necessary to verify whether they worked at the organization within two years prior to appointment, so we forwarded the matter to the Korea Communications Commission and the KCSC."

Vice Chairman Jeong stated, "The ACRC handled this complaint case strictly in accordance with laws and principles," and added, "We expect the Korea Communications Commission and the KCSC, which have received the case, to conduct thorough investigations and handle it fairly."

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