Yeo "Continued Investigation into the Impeachment Case of Kim Hong-il, Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission"

Hong-il Kim Resigns Voluntarily Following Impeachment Proposal
Democratic Party: "Cunning Resignation... We Will Hold Accountable for Media Control Crimes"

Kim Hong-il, Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, resigned before the impeachment motion was reported to the plenary session of the National Assembly. The Democratic Party of Korea maintains its position to scrutinize the problems of the two-member Communications Commission system through the 'impeachment case investigation.'

The Democratic Party will report the impeachment motion at the plenary session held at 2 p.m. on the 2nd, despite Kim's resignation. Afterwards, the 'impeachment case investigation' is expected to be put on the agenda for resolution. Lee Hae-sik, the senior spokesperson for the Democratic Party, stated, "Even if he resigns, we intend to proceed with the impeachment case investigation." When asked whether the vote on the 'impeachment case investigation' would be on the agenda that day, Roh Jong-myeon, the party’s floor spokesperson, replied, "There is a high possibility." According to the National Assembly Act, when an impeachment motion is proposed, the Speaker of the National Assembly must report it at the first plenary session convened, and the plenary session can resolve to refer it to the Legislation and Judiciary Committee for investigation.

Park Chan-dae, Acting Party Leader and Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 2nd. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

The Democratic Party criticized Kim’s resignation as a "cunning resignation." Park Chan-dae, the floor leader, said at the morning floor strategy meeting at the National Assembly, "Kim resigned cunningly to avoid impeachment," and fiercely attacked, "He boldly carried out a coup, but is he afraid of being punished?" He added, "Resigning does not erase the wrongdoing," and said, "We will definitely hold him accountable for the broadcast takeover." Kim Yong-min, the deputy floor policy chief, claimed, "Running away seems to be a characteristic of this government," and "It appears to be a declaration of intent to reappoint a Communications Commissioner who committed crimes."

After the morning floor strategy meeting at the National Assembly, Kang Yoo-jung, the floor spokesperson, responded to reporters’ question, "Can the impeachment motion be reported even though he has already resigned?" by saying, "It can be reported and can also go to the Constitutional Court," and added, "Regardless of whether he retains the position of chairman, we want to clarify whether there was a disqualifying reason equivalent to impeachment." She continued, "We believe it is necessary to show that an honorable resignation or retirement is impossible."

The Democratic Party officially proposed the impeachment motion against Kim on the 27th of last month. The Democratic Party and four other opposition parties (Democratic Party, Party for National Innovation, Progressive Party, Social Democratic Party, and New Future Party) have announced their plan to process the impeachment motion by the 4th.

Meanwhile, the Korea Communications Commission will hold Kim’s retirement ceremony at 11 a.m. that day.