"'Remove 'Broadcasting' from the Science and ICT Committee'... Choi Sujin Pushes for National Assembly Act Amendment"

Splitting the Science, ICT, and Future Planning Committee into the Science and Technology Information and Communications Committee and the Media Committee
Science and Technology Bill Subcommittee Fails to Convene Even Once Amid Political Strife

Choi Su-jin, a member of the People Power Party, announced on the 12th that she will submit a revision bill to the National Assembly Act to separately divide science and broadcasting/communications in the National Assembly standing committees.

Choi's proposed amendment to the National Assembly Act includes separating the Media Committee from the Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Communications Committee, which oversees the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Communications Commission, so that the broadcasting and communications sectors are handled by a separate standing committee.

Chairperson Choi Min-hee of the National Assembly Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee, along with ruling and opposition members, observed a moment of silence for the victims of the fire disaster in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province during the 5th plenary session of the committee held at the National Assembly on the 25th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Choi pointed out, "Since the opening of the 22nd National Assembly, the Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Committee has not held a single meeting of the Science and Technology Bill Subcommittee due to intense and wasteful political conflicts surrounding broadcasting and the media, including the forced passage of the four broadcasting laws." By separating broadcasting and communications, the aim is to focus more on the promotion and support of science and technology.

Accordingly, the core point is that the Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Communications Committee will be divided into the Science, Technology, and Information Communications Committee and the Media Committee.

Choi stated, "In the 22nd National Assembly, policies supporting science, technology, and research and development (R&D) are disappearing due to the opposition party's unilateral broadcasting control issues. As countries around the world are putting their lives on the line to support advanced science and technology and secure future strategic technologies, it is urgent to revise the National Assembly Act to separate the standing committees institutionally to prevent wasteful debates in the National Assembly."

Choi's proposed revision to the National Assembly Act is expected to be submitted on the 13th.