Media and Civic Groups "Additional Charges Against Ryu Hee-rim, Chair of the Communications Commission, for Obstruction of Business"

"Unfair Audit Orders Causing Misunderstanding Among Other Committee Members"

Press and civic groups have announced their intention to file a complaint against Ryu Hee-rim, Chairman of the Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC), on charges including obstruction of business and violation of the Public Officials Conflict of Interest Prevention Act.

The Korea Democratic Media Civic Alliance, Cultural Solidarity, New Media Forum, and the National Union of Media Workers held a press conference in front of the Broadcasting Hall in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, and announced that they will submit a complaint against Chairman Ryu to the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office on the 18th.

On the afternoon of the 17th, in front of the Korea Communications Standards Commission in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, participants urged a thorough investigation at the press conference held by the National Union of Mediaworkers and others titled "Press Conference to Accuse Ryu Hee-rim, Chairman of the Communications Standards Commission, of Obstruction of Official Duties and Violation of the Public Officials Conflict of Interest Prevention Act." [Image source=Yonhap News]

The press and civic groups alleged that Chairman Ryu instigated false complaints and ordered unfair audits. They pointed out, "Chairman Ryu, through his authority, caused other KCSC commissioners to mistakenly believe that the complaints he instigated were genuine, leading them to submit and review these complaints as urgent agenda items that did not require such consideration."

They added, "He planned to identify anonymous whistleblowers within the KCSC and punish them severely, forming an inspection team to order unfair audits of KCSC employees' duties," and explained, "He took disadvantageous measures constituting unfair audits of duties under the pretext of reports to the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission."

Earlier, some media outlets reported allegations that Chairman Ryu pressured his family and acquaintances to file complaints with the KCSC regarding Newstapa's report on the 'Kim Man-bae - Shin Hak-rim false interview' case. In response, Chairman Ryu stated that leaking complainant information is a criminal act, initiated a special internal audit, and requested a police investigation.

Currently, Chairman Ryu is facing charges of violating the Conflict of Interest Prevention Act filed by the Democratic Party of Korea. Additionally, he is also accused of abuse of authority and obstruction of rights related to the Newstapa 'Kim Man-bae - Shin Hak-rim false interview' case review from October last year, as raised by the National Union of Media Workers.