Democratic Party's Jo Seung-rae "Urgently Awaiting ICT and Media Bills with Great Anticipation"

"People Power Party Demands Cancellation of Science and ICT Committee Subcommittee 2"

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] "Urgent ICT and media bills are anxiously waiting to be brought to the discussion table."

As the confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties over the complete removal of prosecutorial investigation rights (Geomsu Wanbak) and personnel hearings reaches its peak, the clock in the National Assembly has stopped. On the 18th, Cho Seung-rae, the Democratic Party whip of the National Assembly Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee, issued a critical statement.

Cho said, "The People Power Party's Broadcasting and Communications Subcommittee suddenly wants to cancel the ICT and Broadcasting Bills Subcommittee (2nd Subcommittee) meeting scheduled for the 20th this week. The meeting date was set and publicly announced, and the agenda to be discussed was nearly agreed upon, but they unilaterally say they cannot hold the meeting. Due to the People Power Party's irresponsible attitude, bills are piling up, and government officials and stakeholders in the ICT and broadcasting sectors are exhausted."

He also recalled the significant difference in bill processing achievements between the Science and Technology and Nuclear Bills Subcommittee (1st Subcommittee), chaired by the Democratic Party, and the 2nd Subcommittee, chaired by the People Power Party.

Cho Seung-rae said, "Currently, 74 bills are pending in the 1st Subcommittee, but 344 bills are pending in the 2nd Subcommittee. Nearly five times as many bills are waiting for National Assembly review," adding, "Urgent ICT and media bills such as online video service (OTT) promotion, smishing crime prevention, the Mobile Device Distribution Act, regulatory sandbox, and network usage fees are anxiously waiting to be brought to the discussion table."

He continued, "President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol has called for a digital platform government, but in reality, the People Power Party's Broadcasting and Communications Committee is even trying to cancel the agreed-upon schedule. Meanwhile, ICT-related bills, which are completely unrelated to ideology or political camps, remain stalled, and time is passing. The People Power Party's Broadcasting and Communications Committee must normalize the bill subcommittee. We urge them to responsibly carry out the mutually agreed schedule."