"Not Over Until It's Over"... Ongoing Disputes Surrounding Candidate I Jin-suk

Debate over the qualifications of Lee Jin-sook, the nominee for Chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission, continues unabated even after the three-day confirmation hearing concluded.

Lee Jin-sook, Nominee for Chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission / Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

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During the confirmation hearing held from the 24th to the 26th at the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee, the opposition party focused on allegations of misuse of corporate credit cards during Lee's tenure at MBC.

In response, 12 former executives from MBC affiliates and regional stations issued a statement on the 29th, saying, "As executives who managed regional stations and affiliates during the same period as the nominee, we could not escape feelings of despair and self-reproach."

They explained, "Corporate credit cards are used not only for business activities but also for understanding societal changes and trends, experiencing events in daily life, and acquiring information for interpersonal contacts, all of which are integral to broadcasting management."

They added, "The National Assembly hearing completely disregarded the unique nature of the broadcasting business and unfairly demanded proof that there was no personal use."

They also noted that during the previous Moon Jae-in administration, when new management was appointed at MBC, audits on corporate card usage for former executives and staff began.

They stated, "Many were asked to prove proper use of corporate cards, and Daejeon MBC, where the nominee served as president, was no exception. However, there were no reports of any misuse."

Opposition party members of the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Communications Committee explained the results of the on-site inspection conducted on the 28th at Daejeon MBC and others to verify the 'corporate card misuse allegations' against Lee Jin-sook, the nominee for the Chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

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On the other hand, Hwang Jeong-ah, a member of the Democratic Party, issued a press release the day before, saying, "Is it acceptable to appoint someone to public office who thinks it is normal to use corporate cards at karaoke bars, local restaurants near home, weekend golf courses, eating alone, or drinking coffee alone?" She warned, "If lies continue at the full committee meeting on the 2nd of next month, we will hold them accountable for perjury."

She continued, "The nominee should be subject to investigation, not a hearing," and emphasized, "We will hold them legally responsible for breach of duty and other charges to the very end."

The Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee plans to hold a full meeting on the 2nd of next month, summoning the nominee as a witness to further question the allegations.

Additionally, related civic groups demanded Lee’s resignation after he refused to answer questions about his stance on the issue of Japanese military comfort women during the confirmation hearing.

The Justice and Memory Solidarity for the Resolution of the Japanese Military Sexual Slavery Issue (Jeongui Gieok Yeondae) issued a statement on the 29th, calling Lee’s views a "pro-Japanese, anti-human rights historical perspective" and urged his resignation.

Candidate Lee Jin-sook, nominee for Chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission, is returning to her seat after submitting her oath statement at the confirmation hearing held on the 24th by the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

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Earlier, on the 26th, Choi Min-hee, chairperson of the committee, asked Lee about his position on the Japanese military comfort women, questioning whether it was coercive or voluntary. Lee responded, "I will not answer because it is a controversial issue." When Chairperson Choi pressed again, Lee said, "I will not answer personal matters," and "I will not answer individual cases."

Jeongui Gieok Yeondae emphasized, "The issue of Japanese military sexual slavery is neither 'controversial' nor 'personal' nor 'individual.' It was an inhumane crime systematically and organizedly committed by the Japanese military across the Asia-Pacific region."

They added, "Such remarks align with Japanese right-wing and Korean far-right historical denial forces that have denied historical truth and disparaged victims," and raised their voices, saying, "It is deplorable that someone with such a vulgar historical perspective is a nominee for Chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission."

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