KCC National Audit "Did You Just Laugh?" VS "Shut Up" Attitude Controversy [2024 Audit]

YTN Privatization Criticized as "Media Takeover"
Kim Tae-gyu, Acting Chairman of the Broadcasting Commission, Responds with a Nervous Smile
Opposition Lawmakers Protest... "Insulting Remarks"

During the National Assembly’s audit of the Korea Communications Commission (KCC) conducted by the Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Committee (STIBC), a dispute arose regarding the attitude of the audited agency. Kim Hyun, the Democratic Party’s secretary in charge of the meeting, sharply demanded the acting chairman of the KCC to "shut up." Ruling party lawmakers intervened, asking Kim if he had come to fight.

On the 15th, Kim Tae-gyu, acting chairman of the KCC, attended the STIBC’s audit session and responded to lawmakers’ questions. The conflict erupted during the questioning by Democratic Party lawmaker Hwang Jeong-ah. Hwang criticized the privatization of YTN as hasty. She asked, "Isn’t it natural to verify who and with what intention pushed forward this unusual sale procedure during the review of the change of the largest shareholder in broadcasting?" She added, "Saying it’s okay because the law does not regulate it is no different from saying that anyone chosen by the Yoon Seok-yeol administration can privatize broadcasting." Kim, the acting chairman, muttered, "The expression ‘chosen’ seems inappropriate."

Kim Tae-gyu, Acting Chairman 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 held on the 15th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Lawmaker Hwang intensified her questioning, asking again, "Isn’t this the behavior of ‘beopkkuraji’ (law + loach) media control technicians?" implying that they evaded the law like a loach to commit illegal acts. When Kim responded with a hollow laugh and said, "I cannot agree at all," opposition lawmakers strongly protested, claiming the acting chairman’s attitude was insincere. Hwang looked toward the chairman’s seat and said, "Did you just laugh?"

Kim Hyun, who was presiding over the meeting on behalf of STIBC Chairperson Choi Min-hee, said, "Don’t you think you did something wrong just now?" Kim Tae-gyu firmly replied, "I do not think so at all." He added, "I find it hard to accept expressions like ‘beopkkuraji.’ Then, is that a very appropriate expression?" Kim Hyun tried to restore order by saying, "Witness, please shut up," but Kim Tae-gyu pushed back, asking, "How can you use the expression ‘shut up’?" and the dispute continued.

Ruling party lawmakers watching the dispute intervened, saying, "Did you come here to fight?" and "You should not use abusive language." However, Kim Hyun continued to criticize Kim Tae-gyu, saying, "You are currently making insulting remarks and actions." Kim Tae-gyu responded, "If you feel that is insulting, your insult threshold must be very low." Democratic Party lawmaker Park Min-gyu said, "If you do not fall under the ‘beopkkuraji’ category, there is no need to react," and added, "Personal opinions are important, but as acting chairman of the KCC, please respect the authority of the National Assembly and uphold the dignity of the KCC."