Democratic Party Says Lee Dong-gwan's Nomination as KCC Chairman "Lacks Qualification and Competence"

The Democratic Party of Korea criticized the speculation on June 6 that Lee Dong-gwan, former Blue House Chief of Public Relations and presidential special advisor for external cooperation, was nominated as chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, calling him "unqualified, underqualified, and substandard."

Spokesperson Kang Seon-woo stated at a National Assembly briefing that "During the Lee Myung-bak administration, he frequently filed lawsuits to muzzle the media against reports unfavorable to the regime, led the dismissal of public broadcasting presidents, parachute appointments, and layoffs, standing at the forefront of media control."

Lee Dong-gwan, former Blue House Chief of Public Relations.

Kang also said, "In 2011, allegations surfaced that Lee's son was involved in concealing school violence. Is having a history of school violence by one's child considered a bonus point for public office appointments under the Yoon Seok-yeol administration? Even with facts of school violence, does one need shameless audacity to hold a position to control the media and the police?"

The Justice Party criticized the government's policy to separately collect KBS TV license fees. Spokesperson Wi Sun-hee said in a written briefing, "While the Yoon Seok-yeol administration remained silent on public calls to reduce gas fees amid heating cost shocks, it immediately responded to and pushed for separate collection of license fees, raising suspicions about its intentions," adding, "They have begun to strangle the media."

Wi further stated, "If there is a need to improve the method of collecting TV license fees, a deep consideration of ways that do not undermine the independence and neutrality of public broadcasting must precede."