Yoon Approves Dismissal of Kim Hong-il as Broadcasting Commissioner... Accepts Resignation Before Opposition's Impeachment

Democratic Party Impeachment Vote Approaches, KCC Chairman Voluntarily Resigns
Opposition's 'Impeachment Investigation' Card... Conflict Inevitable

On the 25th of last month, at the full meeting of the Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee held at the National Assembly, Broadcasting and Communications Commissioner Kim Hong-il is responding to lawmakers' questions. [Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon Suk-yeol accepted the resignation of Kim Hong-il, Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, on the 2nd. This is interpreted as an effort to prevent a paralysis of the Commission's operations by completing the resignation before the Democratic Party of Korea votes on the impeachment motion against Chairman Kim.

The Presidential Office announced that President Yoon approved the dismissal plan after accepting Chairman Kim's resignation that morning. Earlier, Chairman Kim expressed his intention to voluntarily resign before the impeachment motion against him was reported at the National Assembly plenary session, and President Yoon immediately accepted it.

Chairman Kim's voluntary resignation strongly reflects a response to the opposition party's push for impeachment. The opposition parties, including the Democratic Party, proposed the impeachment motion against Chairman Kim on the 27th of last month, and it was scheduled to be reported at the plenary session today in accordance with the National Assembly Act.

If the impeachment motion passes after a vote, Chairman Kim's duties will be suspended until the Constitutional Court makes a decision. Currently, the Korea Communications Commission is operating with only two members, Chairman Kim and Vice Chairman Lee Sang-in, as both the ruling and opposition parties have not recommended their respective members. Therefore, the suspension of Chairman Kim's duties inevitably leads to a "paralysis of the Commission."

The Presidential Office appears to have used Chairman Kim's resignation card considering this situation. Previously, former Chairman Lee Dong-gwan also expressed his intention to voluntarily resign when the Democratic Party pushed for impeachment at the end of last year, and President Yoon promptly accepted it. When resigning voluntarily, only the period for appointing a successor creates a vacancy.

However, since the Democratic Party has labeled it a "cunning resignation" and brought out the "impeachment investigation" card from the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, conflicts between the ruling and opposition parties are expected to be inevitable for the time being. According to the National Assembly Act, when an impeachment motion is proposed, it can be referred to the Legislation and Judiciary Committee by resolution of the plenary session for investigation similar to a state audit.

The Democratic Party intends to hold the Korea Communications Commission accountable for its abnormal operation regardless of whether Chairman Kim resigns. Former Daejeon MBC President Lee Jin-sook is mentioned as a potential successor to Chairman Kim.