'Special Hierarchy of the Korea Communications Commission?' Standing Committee Member Reports on Work Regarding the Vice Chairman

[Asia Economy Reporter Buaeri] An unusual protocol scene unfolded during President Moon Jae-in's briefing session with the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Communications Commission (KCC). This was because Huh Wook, a standing commissioner of the KCC, attended in place of Vice Chairman Kim Seok-jin instead of the vice chairman, as Chairman Han Sang-hyuk was mourning his father's death.

On the 16th, President Moon received the first New Year's briefing from the Ministry of Science and ICT and the KCC at the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) in Daedeok Research Complex, Daejeon. On that day, Standing Commissioner Huh attended the briefing schedule themed 'Science and Technology and AI (Artificial Intelligence),' including listening to an explanation of the Chollian Satellite 2B with President Moon, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, and Minister Choi Ki-young of the Ministry of Science and ICT, and holding a science and technology meeting.

It is customary for the vice chairman to act on behalf of the chairman when the chairman's position is vacant, but some attendees whispered behind the scenes as Standing Commissioner Huh proceeded with the schedule. Moreover, Vice Chairman Kim Seok-jin was also present that day.

In fact, current law states that the vice chairman acts on behalf of the chairman. Article 6 of the KCC Act states, "When the chairman is unable to perform duties due to unavoidable reasons, the vice chairman and the committee shall act in the order previously determined by the committee." The KCC consists of five standing commissioners, including the chairman and vice chairman. Two members, including the chairman, are appointed by the president, one is recommended by the ruling party, and two are recommended by the opposition parties.

Vice Chairman Kim ran unsuccessfully as a Saenuri Party (now the Liberty Korea Party) candidate in Namdong-gu B, Incheon, in 2012 and later worked as a public relations commissioner in Park Geun-hye's campaign public relations team. After being appointed in January 2016 as a Saenuri Party nominee, he was reappointed in March 2017 by the decision of the Liberty Korea Party. Standing Commissioner Huh is a former CBS reporter and was recommended by the Democratic Party of Korea.

The KCC explained that the ruling party standing commissioner, instead of the opposition party vice chairman, gave the briefing as an "old custom." A KCC official said, "In the case of the KCC, standing commissioners are also at the vice minister level," adding, "Because there are matters that require government cooperation, since long ago, the ruling party's recommended members handle government-related work, while opposition party members handle parliamentary work and external activities."