Democratic Party Adopts Party Line on Impeachment of Broadcasting Commissioner Kim Hong-il

The Democratic Party of Korea has adopted a motion to impeach Chairman Kim Hong-il of the Korea Communications Commission as the party's official stance.

On the 25th, at the full meeting of the Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Communications Committee held at the National Assembly, Kim Hong-il, Chairman of the Broadcasting and Communications Commission (left), and Lee Sang-in, Vice Chairman, are seated.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

No Jong-myeon, the Democratic Party's floor spokesperson, met with reporters after a party meeting at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 27th, saying, "We adopted the motion to impeach Chairman Kim as the party's official stance," and added, "There were no opposing opinions to the impeachment motion, and as soon as the report on the impeachment motion was announced, applause and comments praising the decision erupted simultaneously."

No spokesperson explained the reason for proposing the impeachment motion, stating, "The Democratic Party views the situation where the Korea Communications Commission operates with a two-person system for major decisions as illegal and an abuse of authority," and added, "The impeachment motion was proposed on the grounds of Chairman Kim's abuse of authority." Furthermore, No emphasized, "The Democratic Party also holds the position that Vice Chairman Lee Sang-in of the Korea Communications Commission should take responsibility and resign because he is not suitable for performing his duties," and stressed, "He is maintaining his position while making illegal decisions."

The Democratic Party plans to process the impeachment motion within the session of the June extraordinary National Assembly. However, they have left open the possibility that Chairman Kim may resign before the impeachment vote. No spokesperson said, "Chairman Kim has repeatedly expressed his intention not to resign through the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Communications Committee," and added, "It remains to be seen whether he will hold onto his position after the impeachment motion is proposed or choose to flee like former Chairman Lee Dong-gwan."