'Lee Jin-sook's Absence from Science and Technology Committee' Dispute... "Not Related to Work" "Should Attend Even as Vice Chair"

Jin-Sook Lee Absent Due to Health Reasons

Ruling and opposition parties clashed over Broadcasting and Communications Commission Chair Lee Jin-sook's absence from the National Assembly following her appointment of public broadcasting directors immediately after taking office. The ruling party argued that Chair Lee did not need to attend sessions unrelated to the commission's duties, while the opposition criticized her attitude as disregarding the National Assembly and insisted that even Vice Chair Kim Tae-gyu should attend.

On the morning of the 2nd, at the Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Communications Committee plenary meeting held at the National Assembly, Choi Min-hee, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is reviewing the absence excuse letter submitted by Lee Jin-sook, the Chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission, who was absent from the current issue questioning that day. [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 2nd, the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee held a plenary session at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, to conduct inquiries related to the Broadcasting and Communications Commission (BCC). During this session, inquiries will be made not only about allegations of misuse of corporate credit cards related to Chair Lee but also about the appointment process of public broadcasting directors. Chair Lee, immediately after her inauguration on the 31st of last month, resolved the appointment of 13 directors of the Broadcasting Culture Promotion Foundation, the major shareholder of KBS’s board and MBC, under a 'two-member committee' system.

However, although Chair Lee was selected as a witness for the committee’s plenary session, she did not attend. The reason given for her absence was hospitalization due to health issues. Committee Chair Choi Min-hee stated, "The day before, Chair Lee’s meeting with President Yoon Seok-youl was broadcast live," adding, "Considering this, her absence cannot be accepted."

The ruling party immediately pushed back, arguing that the plenary session held that day was unrelated to the BCC’s duties. Choi Hyung-doo, the ruling party’s committee secretary from the People Power Party, said, "This is the fourth consecutive impeachment motion against a head of a government agency," and added, "It is not appropriate to connect the newly appointed person’s attendance with the general BCC duties just to accuse perjury that occurred during the hearing process."

The opposition insisted that if Chair Lee cannot attend, at least Vice Chair Kim should appear. Kim Hyun, the opposition’s committee secretary from the Democratic Party of Korea, said, "Until now, if the BCC chair could not attend due to personal reasons, the vice chair would coordinate and attend after consulting with the secretaries of both parties or reporting to the committee chair," adding, "(Vice Chair Kim) has even received the presidential appointment letter but not attending is neglect of duty. It is deceiving the public and shows disrespect to the standing committee."

The conflict between the ruling and opposition parties surrounding Chair Lee is expected to intensify. The six opposition parties?Democratic Party, Justice Innovation Party, Progressive Party, Basic Income Party, Social Democratic Party, and New Future Party?filed an impeachment motion against Chair Lee the day before. The impeachment motion, which was immediately reported to the plenary session of the National Assembly, is expected to be voted on within the day. The impeachment motion requires a majority of the total members present to pass and is expected to be approved under the leadership of the opposition, which holds 192 seats.

The opposition also plans to conduct a state audit on Chair Lee. The six opposition parties and the Reform New Party visited National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik the day before to demand a state audit to investigate the Yoon administration’s media control and suppression. Representative Kim said, "Speaker Woo said he would take time to consider and get back to us," adding, "It would be good if each standing committee worked properly to seek comprehensive alternatives for state affairs, but the issue of media and broadcasting control is too serious."

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