Science and ICT Committee Resolves to Accuse Acting Chairman of Korea Communications Commission Lee Sang-in for 'Witness No-show'

Reason for Absence Letter Submitted on the Day by Acting Officer Sangin
Committee Chair Choi Minhee: "Submission Deadline Missed"
Ruling Party: "Hospital Diagnosis Present, No Punishment Under Election Act"

The National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee resolved to file charges against Lee Sang-in, Acting Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, who was summoned as a witness for the confirmation hearing of nominee Lee Jin-sook but failed to appear.

At the confirmation hearing for nominee Lee held by the Science and Technology Information Broadcasting and Communications Committee on the 25th, Committee Chairperson Choi Min-hee stated, "We intend to file charges against Acting Chairman Lee for failure to appear without justifiable reason, pursuant to Articles 12 and 15 of the National Assembly Witness Testimony Act," and submitted the agenda for final resolution. The vote resulted in 12 in favor and 7 against, approving the filing of charges.

Vice Chairman Lee was scheduled to attend as a witness that day but submitted a letter of absence citing health reasons. The committee's ruling party and opposition party secretaries agreed to this, but Chairperson Choi did not sign, citing that the submission deadline had passed. Chairperson Choi said, "I tried to verify whether he was hospitalized due to illness, but the hospital was closed."

Democratic Party lawmaker Hwang Jeong-ah criticized, "Isn't it absurd to the public that he suddenly became ill right after an impeachment motion was filed?" and added, "We must firmly hold him accountable under Article 12 of the National Assembly Witness Testimony Act for failure to appear."

In response, People Power Party lawmaker Park Jeong-hoon said, "Judging by the atmosphere, it seems we (the ruling party) cannot prevent the filing of charges," but argued, "According to the Witness Testimony Act, the punishment condition includes 'without justifiable reason,' and since there is a clear medical certificate issued by the hospital, it seems unlikely he will be punished."

Chairperson Choi responded, "It is a matter of judgment," and added, "I do not consider it a justifiable reason."

On the same day, the opposition party filed an impeachment motion against Vice Chairman Lee, and it is reported that he has decided to resign. The impeachment motion must be voted on by secret ballot within 72 hours after 24 hours have passed since its reporting to the plenary session. Accordingly, Vice Chairman Lee is expected to officially announce his resignation by the morning of the 26th.

If Vice Chairman Lee resigns, the Korea Communications Commission will temporarily operate with a 'zero-person system' until nominee Lee is appointed.