Rep. Lee Hun-ki Demands Resignation of Kim Jang-gyeom from Science and Broadcasting Committee
Rep. Kim Jang-gyeom Says "Chairperson Choi Min-hee Seems to Be Becoming a Mother"
KBS President Park Min Attempts to File Complaint Over Absence
The first full meeting of the 22nd National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee, held with both ruling and opposition parties present, is facing difficulties from the outset.
Chairperson Choi Min-hee of the National Assembly Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee is striking the gavel at the 5th plenary session of the committee held at the National Assembly on the 25th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
On the 25th, Lee Hun-ki, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, argued in the committee meeting that Kim Jang-gyeom, a member of the People’s Party, should relinquish his position on the committee.
Lee mentioned that Kim, who previously served as president of MBC, had filed a lawsuit seeking damages, claiming that his dismissal from MBC was unjust. He added, "According to the National Assembly Act, there is a conflict of interest," and requested, "The chairperson should submit an opinion for Kim to recuse himself from the committee."
He further insisted, "If this is not accepted, a disciplinary request should be made to the National Assembly Ethics Committee."
In response, Kim countered, "It is not logically understandable how the lawsuit regarding the invalidity of my dismissal relates to the committee’s private interests."
He said, "In 2017, the Democratic Party’s document on broadcasting control was realized, and I was ousted; that memory comes back. Recently, with the passage of the four broadcasting laws, I thought it was season 2, but seeing today’s developments, it seems they are making great efforts to conclude it."
He continued, "The Democratic Party calls leader Lee Jae-myung 'father,' but Chairperson Choi Min-hee seems to be playing the role of 'mother,'" criticizing her for allegedly conducting the meeting in a biased manner favoring the opposition party.
Chairperson Choi Min-hee of the National Assembly Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee is striking the gavel at the 5th plenary session of the committee held at the National Assembly on the 25th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
Chairperson Choi responded to Kim’s remarks with a smile, saying, "I am indeed a mother of two children," and said she would consider the matter and asked the ruling and opposition party secretaries to discuss it.
Nevertheless, ruling party members, including Choi Hyung-doo of the People Power Party (secretary), continued to protest by demanding a recess. Chairperson Choi said, "I could have gotten angry over being mocked as a mother, but I don’t think taking a recess is appropriate," and again requested, "I ask the two secretaries to discuss this later."
The absence of Park Min, president of the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS), from the full committee meeting also came under scrutiny. Park sent a letter of apology for non-attendance to the committee, stating that "the independence of public broadcasting and freedom of the press could be seriously infringed."
Chairperson Choi raised her voice, saying, "I cannot accept this excuse," and ordered, "Park must appear by 3:30 p.m. that day." Around 4 p.m., Chairperson Choi also attempted to pass a motion to file a complaint against Park for non-attendance at the National Assembly.
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