Sudden Resignation After One Day... Measure to Prevent Suspension of KCC Functions
Only 3 Months Into Term... If Yoon Accepts Resignation, Impeachment Becomes Meaningless
Lee Dong-gwan, Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, abruptly tendered his resignation on the 1st. This move came as the Democratic Party of Korea was set to process an impeachment motion against him in the National Assembly plenary session on the same day, effectively aiming to prevent the suspension of the Commission's functions. President Yoon Seok-yeol is reportedly deliberating whether to accept the resignation.
Chairman Lee announced his resignation ahead of the National Assembly's processing of the impeachment motion against him. It is reported that he expressed his intention to voluntarily resign to President Yoon late the previous day. Chairman Lee is said to have decided to step down due to recent disruptions in key duties and concerns that if the impeachment motion passes, the Commission's work would be paralyzed for several months due to suspension from duty. Upon arriving at the Korea Communications Commission's Gwacheon office that day, he elaborated, "I told the President because I was worried about the work gap or such situations at the Commission caused by the impeachment, which might burden others."
On the 1st, when the parliamentary vote on the impeachment motion against Lee Dong-kwan, Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, was scheduled, the Chairman attended the emergency Cabinet meeting held at the Seoul Government Complex. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@
Chairman Lee's resignation comes about three months after his appointment in August. A former journalist, Lee has faced criticism from opposition parties for allegedly leading media control during the Lee Myung-bak administration. He established the 'Fake News Eradication Task Force' to combat fake news in the broadcasting and telecommunications sectors. He viewed certain media outlets as the source of fake news, which was then amplified and reproduced through portals, YouTube, and broadcasters.
In September, the government launched an on-site investigation into whether Naver artificially interfered with its news search service. The investigation aimed to analyze news algorithms to determine if biased services were provided favoring specific media outlets. Chairman Lee also conducted comprehensive activities such as inspecting the personal location information management practices of taxi-hailing platform operators like Kakao Mobility. Recently, ahead of the National Assembly's impeachment vote, he decided to withhold approval for the change of major shareholders of news channels Yonhap News TV and YTN.
If President Yoon accepts the resignation, the impeachment target will disappear, rendering the National Assembly's impeachment motion meaningless. There is also a possibility that the Korea Communications Commission, currently operating with Chairman Lee and Commissioner Lee Sang-in, could avoid the suspension of functions caused by the passage of the impeachment motion. If the impeachment motion is approved, the Commission's work could be suspended for up to 180 days until the Constitutional Court makes a ruling.
The Democratic Party immediately reacted with opposition. Floor Leader Hong Ik-pyo requested, "President Yoon Seok-yeol should not accept Lee Dong-gwan's resignation and allow the National Assembly to complete the impeachment process." At the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in the morning, Floor Leader Hong said, "Chairman Lee tendered his resignation this morning. It is a trick to evade impeachment," adding, "If the President accepts this resignation, it will be a clear act of obstruction against the constitutional procedures currently underway in the National Assembly."
Previously, the Democratic Party had announced its intention to impeach Chairman Lee. After submitting the impeachment motion to the plenary session on the 30th of last month, they planned to vote on it in the plenary session on this day. According to the National Assembly Act, an impeachment motion must be voted on between 24 hours and 72 hours after being reported to the plenary session. Despite Chairman Lee's resignation, Floor Leader Hong intends to proceed with the impeachment motion as scheduled in the plenary session held that day. He stated, "The National Assembly will convene the plenary session as agreed by the ruling and opposition parties," and added, "We plan to process the impeachment motions against Chairman Lee and two prosecutors involved in illegal corruption."
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