On the 6th, Opposition Lawmakers of the Science and ICT Committee Conduct On-Site Inspection at the Korea Communications Commission
Opposition: "Must Submit Data" vs. KCC: "Confidential Matter"
Absent Acting Commissioner Kim Taegyu Expected to Return in the Afternoon
Opposition lawmakers from the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Communications Committee conducted an on-site inspection of the Korea Communications Commission (KCC) on the 6th. Although the lawmakers requested the submission of materials related to the appointment resolution of public broadcasting directors, the KCC resisted, stating that the materials are confidential and that discussion with Acting Chairman Kim Taegyu, who was absent, is necessary.
On the morning of the same day, opposition members of the Science and Broadcasting Committee visited the KCC at the Government Complex Gwacheon for the on-site inspection. They inquired about the appointment process of public broadcasting directors conducted under the two-person system of Chairwoman Lee Jinsuk and Vice Chairman Kim Taegyu, as well as the stance on the re-request for the four broadcasting laws passed at the Cabinet meeting.
Kim Hyun, the opposition party's secretary, told reporters before the statement, "The KCC is an independent organization, not an agency under the President," adding, "We came to prove that the directors of KBS and the Korea Broadcasting Culture Promotion Foundation were illegally appointed."
Opposition lawmakers criticized the KCC for deliberately being uncooperative during the on-site inspection. They particularly pointed out Acting Chairman Kim Taegyu's absence in the morning due to attending the Cabinet meeting and the inadequate response to the request for document submission.
Han Minsu, a Democratic Party lawmaker, criticized, "I heard that the re-request for the four broadcasting laws was approved at the Cabinet meeting just now, so the KCC, as the competent ministry, must have expressed its opinion. Yet, it is absurd that officials such as the secretary-general claim they do not know what Acting Chairman Kim said there."
No Jongmyeon, a Democratic Party lawmaker, raised his voice, saying, "Is it reasonable for Acting Chairman Kim to have unilaterally expressed an opinion? Did he instruct not to cooperate with any materials until he came to this place?"
In response, Cho Seongeun, the KCC secretary-general, and director-level officials explained, "When the Ministry of Government Legislation asked whether to request reconsideration, we replied affirmatively. However, after the impeachment motion against the chairman, the KCC could not decide on a stance, so the Office for Government Policy Coordination directly expressed the opinion at today's Cabinet meeting."
Although opposition lawmakers demanded the submission of ballots and meeting transcripts related to the appointment resolution of public broadcasting directors, the KCC opposed, stating that it is a confidential matter and discussion with Acting Chairman Kim is necessary. Acting Chairman Kim is expected to return to the office in the afternoon.
Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Wooyoung said, "According to the KCC meeting operation rules, if the matter concerns national security or defamation of individuals or organizations, the committee may decide not to disclose it. However, since there is currently a one-person system and no committee resolution, the KCC should disclose the meeting contents in line with the law's intent."
However, the KCC stated that personnel-related agenda items are basically confidential and that the disclosure of non-public meeting transcripts requires a committee resolution according to the operation rules, so they cannot submit the materials.
Additionally, lawmakers requested the submission of the usage logs of official vehicles for standing committee members and director-level officials, as well as detailed activities of Chairwoman Lee Jinsuk and Acting Chairman Kim on the day of the public broadcasting director appointment resolution.
The lawmakers pointed out that the situation of passing around wireless microphones in a cramped meeting room for Q&A was an intentional obstruction of the on-site inspection.
Choi Minhee, chairwoman of the Science and Broadcasting Committee and a Democratic Party lawmaker, said, "Holding the meeting under these difficult circumstances was to show how the KCC obstructs the National Assembly members' on-site inspection," adding, "We will comprehensively review the National Assembly's testimony and inspection law and the contempt of the National Assembly to hold them legally accountable."
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