'Suspended' Lee Jin-sook to Attend National Assembly This Afternoon... "I Want to Work"

Accused of Violating Political Neutrality Obligation, "It Is for Defense"

Lee Jin-sook, the Chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission who is currently suspended from duty following the National Assembly's approval of the impeachment motion, appeared at the National Assembly. Chairperson Lee emphasized, "I want to work," stating that she appeared on conservative-leaning YouTube channels to defend herself.

Lee Jin-sook, Chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission, is responding to questions from lawmakers during the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee's audit of the Korea Communications Commission on the 7th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

On the 7th, Lee appeared as a witness at the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee's audit and responded to accusations that she violated the duty of political neutrality by appearing on conservative-leaning YouTube channels, saying, "I do not think so. It was for self-defense." She also said, "I have never called myself a conservative warrior," adding, "This was said in reference to being impeached just two days after taking office as Chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission. It was a self-defensive remark."

Regarding criticism that the Korea Communications Commission's credibility ranks second lowest among ten institutions, just above the Presidential Office, she replied, "I am not ashamed at all," and added, "If I had not been impeached, such results would not have come out."

There were also criticisms about her receiving salary while suspended from duty. In response to criticism that she worked only two days and received about 27 million won in salary, she emphasized, "I am not someone who voluntarily walked away," and "I want to work." However, Chairperson Lee avoided answering specific amounts, saying, "I do not remember."

Regarding a Korea Communications Commission staff member submitting an absence excuse on her behalf while she was suspended, she said, "I never made anyone do it for me," and explained, "There is a staff member at the Korea Communications Commission who accesses the National Assembly, and they suggested submitting it together on the way, so we did it that way."

Although Chairperson Lee submitted an absence excuse citing suspension from duty, the opposition party considered issuing a summons, and with Kim Tae-gyu, the acting Chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission, absent due to a bereavement, she attended the audit that afternoon. This was her first appearance at the National Assembly in two months since attending the second hearing related to broadcasting control, including the appointment of directors to the Korea Broadcasting Culture Promotion Foundation, on August 14.