Labor and Environment Committee Chair Broadcasts Live National Audit with Fixed Camera on Hani

Chairman An Ho-young "Consultation with National Assembly Broadcasting"

"No, don't cry." When Hani (real name Pham Hani), a member of the girl group NewJeans, shed tears at the Environment and Labor Committee's National Assembly audit held on the 15th at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, foreign fans expressed their sadness together through the chat window. However, the space where the fans were saddened was none other than the YouTube channel of Ahn Ho-young, the chairman of the Environment and Labor Committee belonging to the Democratic Party of Korea. During the audit, fans continuously reacted with messages like "Treat her humanely" and "Hani fighting."

Chairman Ahn's side broadcasted the live coverage of Hani's National Assembly audit site through a YouTube live stream that day. Hani appeared at the National Assembly as a witness for the audit regarding issues such as workplace harassment. Chairman Ahn's YouTube channel has about 5,000 subscribers. However, when Hani appeared at the audit site, NewJeans fans flocked to Chairman Ahn's YouTube channel, causing the live broadcast viewership to soar to about 2,500.

A fixed camera filming Hani, a member of the girl group NewJeans. /Source=YouTube channel of Ahn Ho-young, Chairman of the Environment and Labor Committee

The live broadcast appears to have been conducted by capturing the video from the National Assembly's internet deliberation system. According to Article 149, Paragraph 2 of the National Assembly Act, the video of meetings cannot be used for commercial purposes. Furthermore, according to the "Regulations on Relay Broadcasting at the National Assembly," only broadcasting stations can conduct relay broadcasts. However, if permission is obtained, meetings can be relayed via the internet or other information and communication networks. Permission can be granted by the Speaker of the National Assembly or each standing committee chairman. The only place that transmitted Hani's attendance at the National Assembly audit via YouTube channel, etc., was Chairman Ahn's YouTube channel. Chairman Ahn's side stated, "We received an authoritative interpretation from the National Assembly Secretariat that if a member of the National Assembly requests the National Assembly Broadcasting and obtains prior permission, the video can be transmitted," and added, "National Assembly Broadcasting agreed."

Chairman Ahn's aides installed a 'fixed camera,' a camera that continuously filmed Hani. Even when Hani was not at the podium or when other members of the National Assembly were speaking, the camera focused on Hani. Scenes of Hani brushing her hair back, rubbing her shoulder, resting her chin, and looking surprised were all broadcast live on Chairman Ahn's YouTube channel. When Hani took the podium, the fixed camera briefly filmed Kim Ju-young, CEO of Adore, who appeared as a witness, but mostly captured Hani's profile. When Hani left the meeting room, the fixed camera disappeared.

Ahn Ho-young, Chairman of the National Assembly Environment and Labor Committee, streamed a live broadcast of the National Assembly audit session attended by a member of the girl group NewJeans on his personal YouTube channel. A fixed camera was set up to continuously film Ha Ni. /Source=Ahn Ho-young Environment and Labor Committee YouTube Channel

Chairman Ahn's YouTube channel has uploaded 16 live videos so far, but this was the first time a fixed camera was used. Chairman Ahn's aides operated the fixed camera filming the person attending the audit from 10 a.m. that day. Chairman Ahn's side said, "We obtained prior consent from Hani and CEO Kim themselves," and added, "Chairman Ahn personally summoned the witnesses and references. The fixed camera was installed at the request of fans."