野 "Lee Jin-sook Chairperson Hospitalized? Kim Tae-gyu Vice Chairperson Must Attend National Assembly"

National Assembly Science and ICT Committee Holds Current Issues Inquiry
"Absence Excuse Not Approved"

On the 2nd, when Lee Jin-sook, Chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission, did not attend the National Assembly standing committee meeting, the opposition party insisted that Vice Chairperson Kim Tae-gyu should attend in her place.

Chairwoman Lee Jin-sook (right) of the Korea Communications Commission and Standing Commissioner Kim Tae-gyu are seated side by side at the inauguration ceremony held at the Broadcasting and Communications Commission in the Government Complex Gwacheon on the morning of the 31st. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Communications Committee held a plenary session that morning to conduct a "current issue inquiry into the dysfunctional operation of the Korea Communications Commission and the verification of suspicions regarding the Chairperson." They planned to question Chairperson Lee about allegations of misuse of corporate cards during her tenure at MBC and issues related to the appointment procedures of public broadcasting directors.

Although Chairperson Lee was selected as a witness for the inquiry, she submitted a letter of absence citing health reasons, stating that she was hospitalized the previous day (the 1st) due to back pain.

Choi Min-hee, a member of the Science and Technology Committee from the Democratic Party, stated that Chairperson Lee visited the Yongsan Presidential Office the previous day to receive her appointment letter from the President and that she did not approve the letter of absence.

She added, "According to the Korea Communications Commission Act, when the Chairperson is unable to perform duties, the Vice Chairperson acts on their behalf," and requested, "We ask Vice Chairperson Kim to attend immediately." Vice Chairperson Kim was appointed by presidential nomination alongside Chairperson Lee on the 31st of last month.

Kim Hyun, a Democratic Party member and opposition party secretary, also said that if Chairperson Lee does not attend the National Assembly meeting, Vice Chairperson Kim must attend instead. Lee Jeong-heon, another Democratic Party member, raised his voice against Chairperson Lee's absence, calling it "an act of mocking the people and challenging the authority of the National Assembly."

On the other hand, Choi Hyung-doo, a ruling party secretary and member of the People Power Party, argued, "Today's meeting is not about the general affairs of the Korea Communications Commission," and said, "The (Vice Chairperson's) witness status is invalid, so we need to seek an authoritative interpretation."

Shin Sung-beom, a member of the People Power Party, pointed out, "The head of a single ministry is being consecutively impeached and is facing an impeachment vote," and criticized, "This is a session created for the person who took office to come and file perjury charges based on events that occurred during the hearing process."