Nomination Five Days After Lee Dong-gwan's Resignation... Cannot Leave Vacancy
Candidate Kim Conveys Responsibility: "I Will Not Shy Away from Difficult Tasks"
Presidential Office: "Expertise Needed in Legal, Procedural, and Regulatory Management"
Democratic Party Opposes: "Filling All Public Offices with Political Prosecutors?"
President Yoon Suk-yeol nominated Kim Hong-il, Chairman of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, as the new Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission (KCC) on the 6th. This came just five days after former KCC Chairman Lee Dong-gwan resigned on the 1st. Although Kim was also a candidate for Minister of Justice, he was ultimately selected as the best fit to lead the key national agenda of restoring public broadcasting. It is reported that Kim expressed his willingness to "take on difficult tasks" during the appointment process.
Kim Hong-il, the new nominee for the Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, is delivering a greeting at the Presidential Office in Yongsan, Seoul, on the 6th. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Kim Dae-gi, Chief of Staff to the President, announced the appointment of Kim as the new KCC Chairman at the Yongsan Presidential Office that morning. A senior official from the Presidential Office explained the background of the appointment, saying, "(The KCC) requires expertise because it must judge not only legalities and procedures in broadcasting and telecommunications but also regulations," and added, "Kim also conveyed his commitment as a public official to fulfill responsibilities in line with the Yoon administration's national policy direction."
Kim is a former 'special prosecutor' who served as Deputy Chief Prosecutor of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office and Head of the Central Investigation Division at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office. During his tenure as head of the Central Investigation Division, he was the direct superior of President Yoon, who was then the head of the second division of the Central Investigation Department. Kim is known as one of the prosecutors whom President Yoon respects. The trust between Kim and President Yoon is strong, and Kim's decisiveness and the fact that he had already undergone vetting before his appointment as Chairman of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, allowing for immediate appointment, were also advantages. On the same day, Chief of Staff Kim also commented, "The KCC is currently facing numerous contentious issues involving conflicting interests from various sectors, making it a time when fair and transparent handling of affairs is more necessary than ever. Kim is a person who will uphold the neutrality and independence of the KCC with balanced judgment, firm principles in law and procedure, and impartiality."
Initially Nominated for Minister of Justice, Ultimately Chosen to Prevent Policy Vacuum at KCC
Originally, Kim was nominated as the successor to Han Dong-hoon as Minister of Justice. However, following the resignation of former Chairman Lee, it was deemed necessary to quickly restore the KCC's functions and prevent a policy vacuum. Therefore, a figure capable of responding swiftly from a legal standpoint during this process was needed, leading to Kim's final nomination. The KCC has historically included legal professionals among its standing commissioners since its establishment in 2008. Former Chairmen Choi Sung-joon and Han Sang-hyuk were both legal experts, and the current acting Chairman Lee Sang-in is a former judge.
In particular, Kim strongly conveyed his sense of responsibility as a public official during the appointment process by stating that he would not shy away from difficult tasks. Another official added, "(The KCC) is facing unfavorable situations in the National Assembly and difficulties in policy implementation, making it challenging to carry out assigned duties both internally and externally. However, with the sense of responsibility expressed during the appointment process, it is expected that the implementation of national agendas will accelerate." When meeting with reporters that day, Kim said, "If appointed through the proper procedures, I will do my best to ensure that broadcasting and telecommunications are fair, independent, and trusted by the public."
Kim is also highly regarded as a distinguished figure in the legal community. After passing the 24th Judicial Examination in 1982, he built a reputation as a 'violent crime and special investigation' prosecutor. In 2007, while serving as Deputy Chief Prosecutor of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, he led investigations into former President Lee Myung-bak's alleged secret ownership of land in Dogok-dong and the BBK scandal. In 2009, after being appointed Head of the Central Investigation Division at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, he led the investigation into the Busan Savings Bank corruption case. At that time, President Yoon was the head of the second division of the Central Investigation Department. During the last presidential election, Kim served as Chairman of the Special Committee for Investigating Political Manipulation within Yoon Suk-yeol's campaign.
Kim is also praised for his outstanding leadership and ability to foster harmony. Due to family circumstances, he took responsibility for his three younger siblings at the age of 18. After graduating from Yesan High School in 1972, he supported his siblings and paid for his education, eventually entering Chungnam National University Law School in 1975 after receiving a scholarship. Kim graduated from Chungnam National University in just three years and became the first Chungnam National University graduate to pass the Judicial Examination.
Kim Hong-il, nominee for Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, is walking to the podium to deliver his remarks on the 6th at the Yongsan Presidential Office building in Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Opposition Party Criticizes Appointment as Attempt to Fill All Public Offices with Political Prosecutors
However, severe backlash has come from the opposition, including the Democratic Party of Korea. The Democratic Party criticized Kim's appointment, saying, "Does President Yoon intend to fill all public offices with political prosecutors who follow him? It feels like watching the new military regime appoint political soldiers to all key positions," and pointed out that Kim lacks expertise in broadcasting or telecommunications policy. They also raised concerns about Kim's decision as a prosecutor to dismiss charges without indictment regarding former President Lee Myung-bak's secret land ownership in Dogok-dong and the BBK scandal.
There are concerns that the president's forced appointment and the Democratic Party's impeachment efforts will continue to repeat. One of the reasons for former Chairman Lee's impeachment was the KCC's 'two-person system,' and under the current circumstances, it is expected that another two-person system will be maintained with Kim's replacement, further complicating the situation.
Since the national agendas under the KCC overseen by former Chairman Lee are expected to continue under Kim's leadership, confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties is likely to intensify. These agendas include efforts to eradicate fake news in broadcasting and telecommunications through a 'Fake News Eradication Task Force,' on-site investigations of news search services such as Naver, and inspections of personal location information management by taxi-hailing platform operators like Kakao Mobility. Prior to the National Assembly's impeachment vote, former Chairman Lee also decided to withhold approval for changes in the largest shareholders of news channels Yonhap News TV and YTN.
Meanwhile, President Yoon also appointed Oh Seok-hwan, Presidential Secretary for Education, as the new Deputy Minister of Education, and Lee Hee-wan, Navy Colonel, as Deputy Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs. Oh, who faced criticism as head of the task force for nationalizing history textbooks during the Park Geun-hye administration, has contributed to communication between the Presidential Office and the Ministry of Education on issues such as excluding killer questions, the Seo I Elementary School teacher incident, and support for autonomous medical school majors under the Yoon administration. Lee is known for leading the victory in the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong.
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