'Fairness and Expertise Questioned' Candidate Kim Hong-il... Hearing Expected to Face Difficulties

10 AM on the 27th: Hearing for the Broadcasting Commission Nominee
Sharp Questions Expected on BBK and Officer Kim Soon-gyeong Cases from Prosecutor Days
Expertise Verification Key Due to Lack of Broadcasting and Communication Experience

The confirmation hearing for nominee Kim Hong-il, candidate for Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission (KCC), is just one day away. Members of the National Assembly’s Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee have announced sharp questions regarding whether Kim, who was cleared of allegations in a power abuse investigation, possesses the fairness and independence required of a KCC chairman. A verification of Kim’s expertise is also expected to be challenging, as he has no prior experience related to broadcasting or telecommunications.

Kim Hong-il, nominee for Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, is arriving at the office prepared for the confirmation hearing near the Government Complex Gwacheon in Gyeonggi Province on the 13th, and is announcing his appointment impressions. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

At 10 a.m. on the 27th, during the hearing conducted by the Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee, it is anticipated that Kim’s qualifications will be scrutinized, given that the KCC is an institution that requires fairness and independence.

Kim’s most notable case was when he served as the 3rd Deputy Chief Prosecutor at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office during the 2007 presidential election, handling the BBK stock manipulation allegations against then-presidential candidate Lee Myung-bak. However, just two weeks before the election, the prosecution dismissed the case as ‘no charges.’ Two months after the Lee Myung-bak administration began, Kim was awarded a medal related to the election investigation.

In addition, there are criticisms that Kim was the lead prosecutor in the ‘Kim Police Officer Case’ 31 years ago, in which the accused was wrongfully charged with murder, and that he failed to properly conclude the investigation into Park Min, then chairman of KBS and a candidate for the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, who was accused of violating the Anti-Graft Act. The office of Democratic Party lawmaker Byun Jae-il stated, “The KCC chairman must maintain independence from capital and political powers, and to do so, must have strong convictions. Looking at the cases he investigated, there are doubts whether they were for personal gain or power.”

Whether Kim possesses the necessary expertise is also expected to be a key issue. Although Kim is known to have no prior experience in broadcasting or telecommunications, the KCC currently faces numerous specialized issues such as MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators), network usage fees, responses to fake news, and separate collection of subscription fees. A staff member from Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Jung-moon’s office said, “It has been well known that he has no experience related to KCC policies. We submitted a written inquiry asking if he had any trial experience related to broadcasting or telecommunications during his time as a prosecutor or lawyer, but the answer was ‘no.’ We plan to question how he intends to resolve the numerous pending policy issues.” The office of Democratic Party lawmaker Park Chan-dae also stated, “We plan to verify his expertise through questions about whether he will continue existing policies such as internet newspaper review and online video services (OTT).”

Questions are also expected regarding how Kim will conclude policies such as the two-person system left by former KCC Chairman Lee Dong-gwan. Under Lee’s leadership, for four months starting at the end of August, decisions such as the dismissal and appointment of public broadcasting directors were made by only two members recommended by the president (one chairman and one standing commissioner). A staff member from lawmaker Byun’s office said, “We plan to ask whether the two-person system, which was a reason for Lee’s impeachment, will be maintained or corrected. An answer that it will be maintained as is could raise questions about his qualifications.”

Early in the hearing, criticism is also expected regarding Kim’s submission of documents. Multiple opposition lawmakers’ offices have reported that although there are various suspicions such as preferential treatment for former officials and asset accumulation, proper documents have not been submitted, making verification difficult.

Meanwhile, Kim previously served as chairman of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission. After completing the 15th Judicial Research and Training Institute in 1985, he worked as a prosecutor until March 2013, and then as a lawyer at the law firm Sejong.

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