Absent from the confirmation hearing…Potential successor mentioned as Jo Seong-eun as Office Head,
Kim Hong-il, former chairman of the Korea Communications Commission (left) and Lee Sang-in, vice chairman, are attending the 5th plenary session of the Science and Technology Information & Communications Commission held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on June 25, having a conversation prior to questioning about current issues related to the Ministry of Science, Technology, Information and Communication, and the Broadcasting Communications Commission. 2024.6.25/News1 ⓒ News1 An Eun-na reporter,
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, “(Seoul=News1) By Yang Sae-rom and Im Yoon-ji = It was reported that Lee Sang-in, vice chairman performing the duty of the chairman of the Broadcasting Communications Commission, will voluntarily resign before impeachment. As a result, the Broadcasting Communications Commission, a 5-person agreement organization, is facing a situation where there will be a ‘0-member executive committee’ temporarily.”,
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, ‘On the afternoon of the 25th, the Democratic Party submitted a motion of impeachment against Lee Sang-in, who is currently acting as chairman and vice chairman of the Broadcasting Communications Commission, at the main building of the National Assembly. Under the National Assembly law, if an impeachment bill is proposed, it must be reported at the first plenary session and voted anonymously within 72 hours after 24 hours.’,
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, ‘It is interpreted as an intention to suspend the duties of the acting chairman and vice chairman in order to delay the appointment of a public broadcasting director, in conjunction with the confirmation hearings for the candidate Lee Jin-sook for the chairmanship. Although temporary, the situation of having not a single standing member in a national institution is unprecedented.’,
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, ‘Ultimately, if the acting chairman and vice chairman is impeached and then the candidate is appointed, or if the candidate is impeached after being appointed, the Broadcasting Communications Commission would not be able to deliberate or make decisions due to operating with only one member. If the impeachment of the acting chairman and vice chairman occurs before the candidate takes office, there is a possibility that the Broadcasting Communications Commission could operate with a 0-member executive committee.’,
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, ‘The current required quorum for decision-making in the Broadcasting Communications Commission is two standing members. This situation hinders the process of appointing directors for public broadcasters such as the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) and the Broadcasting Culture Promotion Association (BPJ) of MBC. The Broadcasting Communications Commission has already completed public opinion collection on the matter.’,
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, ‘Therefore, it was reported that the acting chairman and vice chairman is considering resigning voluntarily. If they resign by tomorrow morning at the latest, they can avoid the effects of impeachment. The acting chairman and vice chairman was also reported to have deliberated whether to attend today’s confirmation hearing as a witness, but ultimately decided not to attend.’,
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, ‘Regarding this, Representative Hwang Jung-ah of the Democratic Party criticized, “The reason for the absence of Vice Chairman Lee Sang-in’s confirmation hearing document was submitted just before the meeting today at around 1:40 pm, saying that not saying anything until the impeachment bill was proposed and then citing illness to be absent is a mockery and insult to the National Assembly and the people.”‘,
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, ‘However, if the President immediately appoints a new standing member as a successor, issues such as having a 0-member or 1-member executive committee can be resolved promptly. Jo Seong-eun, the head of the office, is being mentioned as a possible successor. Of course, this could also lead to further controversy.’,
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Lee Jin-sook, the candidate for chairman of the Broadcasting Communications Commission, is answering questions from Rep. Lee Hoon-ki regarding the suspicion of attempting to disrupt the union and the MBC subcontracting agreement at the public personnel hearing held at the Science and Technology Information & Communications Commission at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the morning of the 25th. 2024.7.25/News1 ⓒ News1 Kim Min-ji reporter,
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, ‘In fact, the ruling and opposition parties clashed over the 2-member system of the Broadcasting Communications Commission during the candidate’s confirmation hearing the day before (24th).’,
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, ‘According to related laws, among the 5 standing members, including the chairman, the president appoints 2, and the remaining 3, one from the ruling party and two from the opposition negotiating groups, are recommended by each party and appointed by the president after approval by the National Assembly.’,
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, ‘The Democratic Party believes that the problem lies in the President not appointing their recommended candidate, while the candidate and the People Power Party believe that in order to complement the current 2-member system of the Broadcasting Communications Commission, the recommendation of the National Assembly is necessary.’,
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, ‘In response to criticisms that decisions on major issues in a 2-member system could lead to impeachment, the candidate replied in writing that “The decision-making in a 2-member system of the Broadcasting Communications Commission is possible under the Broadcasting Communications Commission Establishment Act and is not a violation of the law, so I do not consider it a cause for impeachment.”‘,
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