The Democratic Party of Korea criticized the Korea Communications Commission's decision on the 29th to appoint directors of public broadcasters the previous day as "illegal media suppression and a trick to seize control of broadcasting."
Opposition lawmakers held a press conference on the morning of the 28th at the Civil Petition Office of the Government Gwacheon Complex, condemning Kim Hong-il, the Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, by emphasizing the illegality of operating the Broadcasting and Communications Commission, a five-member collegiate body, with only two members. / Photo by Yonhap News
Spokesperson Hwang Jeong-a stated in a written briefing that "The KCC finally resolved the plan to appoint directors of public broadcasters yesterday. Their intention is clearly to control KBS, YTN, and now MBC at will," adding, "This decision, carried out like a secret military operation, is clearly illegal and invalid."
Spokesperson Hwang pointed out, "The courts have twice pointed out the illegality of the KCC's operations, and legal advisory documents received by the KCC itself revealed the illegality of the 'two-person system.' However, KCC Chairman Kim Hong-il is disregarding the law and even undermining the very foundation of the KCC's existence, which is to protect freedom of the press."
He continued, "We will definitely investigate who ordered and intervened in this illegal process, including how the meeting and agenda, which should have been notified two days in advance, were suddenly announced and resolved," emphasizing accountability.
He added, "Through a 'Broadcasting Seizure National Investigation,' we will expose the KCC's crimes aimed at turning public broadcasters into mouthpieces for the Yoon Suk-yeol administration," and said, "Those accomplices who collaborated in the regime's media suppression and broadcasting control will not escape punishment for their illegal abuse of authority."
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