Democratic Party Holds First Media Reform TF Meeting: "Unfair Media Suppression Must End"

The Democratic Party of Korea held a meeting of the Media Reform Task Force (TF) and promised the swift re-submission of the Broadcasting Three Acts (amendments to the Broadcasting Act, the Korea Broadcasting Culture Promotion Agency Act, and the Korea Educational Broadcasting System Act), which President Yoon Seok-yeol vetoed.

On the 4th, at the launch ceremony and first meeting of the Democratic Party's Media Reform Task Force held at the National Assembly, Floor Leader Park Chan-dae is giving a speech.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Park Chan-dae, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, said at the launch ceremony and first meeting of the Media Reform TF held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 4th, "The reality faced by the media under the Yoon Seok-yeol administration is bleak. Attempts to suppress the media and seize control of broadcasting continue." He added, "In the 22nd general election, the Yoon administration was sternly judged, with a demand to end unjust media suppression by those in power and to restore the pride of a democratic nation." He continued, "The 22nd National Assembly has been entrusted with the institutional responsibility to ensure that the media serves the people rather than acting as a mouthpiece loyal to those in power," and explained, "Going forward, the Media Reform TF will deliver tangible results through activities that meet the public’s expectations."

Kim Yong-min, the senior deputy floor leader of the Democratic Party, said, "Freedom of the press and media reform are not different concepts," adding, "The path where freedom and reform go hand in hand is to guarantee maximum press freedom while imposing corresponding responsibilities within that freedom." He also emphasized, "Under the Yoon administration, violations of press freedom have continued incessantly," and stressed, "We must strengthen our resolve to solidify press freedom through the TF in opposition to a regime that frequently suppresses freedom of expression."

The head of the Democratic Party’s Media Reform TF is Assemblyman Han Jun-ho. Additionally, Assemblyman Kim Hyun, who has been appointed as the Democratic Party’s secretary on the National Assembly’s Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Communications Committee, along with Assemblymen Lee Hun-gi and Han Min-su, are included in the TF. Assemblyman Han Jun-ho said, "The Broadcasting Three Acts passed the 21st National Assembly, but President Yoon exercised his veto," adding, "With the 22nd National Assembly convened, we are focusing on this issue (including the re-submission of the Broadcasting Three Acts) as a top priority." He also emphasized, "The political influence on public broadcasting must be significantly diluted," and stated, "The direction to introduce diversity in the appointment structure of public broadcasting presidents remains unchanged."