Appeal for Restoration of KCC Functions on the 5th
"National Assembly, Proceed with Recommendation of 3 Standing Committee Members"
"Completion of Impeachment Mockery" Criticism from Opposition Party
Kim Tae-gyu, Vice Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission (KCC), requested cooperation from the National Assembly and the Constitutional Court on the 5th to restore the functions of the KCC.
Chairwoman Lee Jin-sook (right) and Vice Chairman Kim Tae-gyu of the Korea Communications Commission. [Image source=Yonhap News]
On the same day, Vice Chairman Kim stated in a press release at the Government Complex Gwacheon, "If the impeachment procedure proceeds, we ask for a swift judgment to promptly end the situation of the absence of the agency head."
Earlier, on the 2nd, the impeachment motion against KCC Chairperson Lee Jin-sook, proposed by the opposition party, passed the plenary session of the National Assembly. Chairperson Lee's duties were immediately suspended, and the KCC's operations have effectively been halted. Vice Chairman Kim, who was appointed by the President along with Chairperson Lee, is currently acting as the KCC Chairperson.
Vice Chairman Kim requested, "We ask the National Assembly to proceed with the recommendation process for the three standing committee members and make efforts to restore the functions of the KCC."
He emphasized, "Until the agency head returns and the standing committee members are replenished so that we can fully devote ourselves to our duties, although within a limited scope, we will strive to identify what we must do and do our best for the people."
He described the impeachment attempt against Chairperson Lee as a "bizarre farce." He pointed out, "From 2017 to the present, there have been 23 impeachment discussions in just seven years, which is far more than the impeachment discussions that occurred over nearly 70 years."
He added, "Even the acting KCC Chairperson, who is not subject to impeachment, was targeted," and said, "At this point, the trivialization of impeachment must be considered complete." This was a criticism of the opposition's impeachment offensives against former KCC Chairpersons Lee Dong-gwan and Kim Hong-il, as well as acting Chairperson Lee Sang-min.
He stated, "We need to consider whether impeachment is intended to discipline serious misconduct by high-ranking officials and protect the people's interests, or if it is for political obstruction and revenge," and appealed, "(The KCC) wants to work enthusiastically for the people. Please help us realize the aspirations of the KCC members."
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