Chairman Power Abuse: Opposition's Demand for Personal Statement Leads to KBS President Confirmation Hearing 'Disruption'

Opposition Walks Out During Hearing Questions
Gominjeong Accuses Chairman of 'Gapjil'
Jang Je-won: "Does the Opposition Decide Chairman Qualifications?"

On the 7th, the confirmation hearing for Park Min, the nominee for president of the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS), held by the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Communications Committee, broke down from the outset. Chairman Jang Je-won of the committee and opposition lawmakers exchanged loud arguments over the submission of hearing materials, and the opposition lawmakers all walked out. Lawmakers from the ruling party on the committee criticized the opposition for deliberately provoking the disruption.

Opposition lawmakers on the Science and Technology Committee raised concerns about the inadequate submission of materials by nominee Park even before the hearing began that day. In response, Chairman Jang said, "Can't you just give the materials uniformly to the floor leaders? Will the hearing proceed if the opposition unilaterally has four people? Let's have two submit materials and one make procedural remarks. They are effectively asking questions while listing items." When the opposition continued to demand material submission, Chairman Jang said, "Aren't you effectively asking questions? If you give me the list, I will deliver it to the nominee," which sparked dissatisfaction from the opposition benches.

Democratic Party lawmaker Go Min-jung is protesting the procedural method of Chairman Jang Je-won during the confirmation hearing for KBS President nominee Park Min at the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Committee on the 7th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Then, Cho Seung-rae, the opposition floor leader from the Democratic Party on the committee, demanded an apology from nominee Park, worsening the situation. Rep. Cho said, "Nominee Park spread false information about the preparation activities for the hearing and even intimidated before the hearing," and requested that Park apologize. He also urged the chairman to receive the apology. Earlier, nominee Park reportedly conveyed his opinion that the personnel hearing materials related to Rep. Ko Min-jung were false information.

In response, Chairman Jang said, "You should ask questions and get an apology. I cannot demand an apology on your behalf," adding, "If during the questioning process you determine there is a reason the nominee must apologize, you can request it." Chairman Jang reiterated, "You cannot unilaterally demand an apology based on what Floor Leader Cho said."

Before Rep. Ko Min-jung of the Democratic Party began her questioning, she requested to make a personal statement. Chairman Jang suggested, "Please ask your questions first," but Rep. Ko said she could not proceed with the Q&A unless her personal statement was guaranteed. Voices between Rep. Ko and Chairman Jang grew louder, and Rep. Ko expressed dissatisfaction. She asked, "Why is the chairman driving the hearing into disruption?" to which Chairman Jang retorted, "It seems Rep. Ko is the one trying to cause disruption."

After the ongoing tension, Chairman Jang demanded that questioning continue, and Rep. Ko said she would question the chairman, stating, "As a hearing member, I am being unjustly persecuted of my rights, so I am asking the chairman to guarantee my rights. If you refuse, you are unfit as chairman." She then pointed out that materials such as the Cultural Daily's salary net amount, financial transaction details between the nominee's spouse, and full documentation of a 100 million won transaction by the nominee's father had not been submitted at all, saying, "There must be something to hide." Rep. Ko added, "We need the materials, but since they are missing, the hearing cannot proceed," raising her voice, "Whether the chairman abuses power or not, deal with it as you see fit."

Following this, opposition lawmakers all left the meeting room. Chairman Jang responded, "This is the Jang Je-won hearing. It's ridiculous to blame the chairman for not receiving materials," and said, "I've never seen anything like this before. It's absurd that Rep. Ko Min-jung decides the chairman's qualifications."

Democratic Party lawmaker Go Min-jung is protesting the procedural method of Chairman Jang Je-won during the confirmation hearing for KBS President nominee Park Min at the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Committee on the 7th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

On the 7th, at the National Assembly Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee hearing for Park Min, the KBS president nominee, Jo Seung-rae, the opposition party secretary, is protesting the procedural method of Chairman Jang Je-won. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Ruling party lawmakers urged the opposition lawmakers who walked out collectively to fulfill their responsibilities. Rep. Yoon Doo-hyun of the People Power Party said, "It is preferable to proceed unilaterally in the absence of members, but please consider whether to continue this method. Otherwise, there should be a principle that if a member is absent when their turn comes, it is considered a forfeiture." Rep. Kim Byung-wook also said, "Since there is no legitimate reason to oppose, they are provoking disruption with a self-sabotaging hearing," adding, "This is truly anti-democratic and anti-parliamentary behavior. The Democratic Party should return quickly and participate in the hearing properly."

Later, Rep. Cho and Rep. Min Hyung-bae returned to the meeting room and again demanded an apology from nominee Park, submission of materials, and securing time for personal statements, but ultimately the confirmation hearing was adjourned at around 11:20 a.m., 1 hour and 20 minutes after it began.

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