Lee Jin-sook at work: "The Constitutional Court neatly resolved it... The Korea Communications Commission should address urgent matters first"

Returned to Work at Government Complex on the Morning of the 23rd
"Four-to-Four Split? The Dismissal Reflects the Will of the Entire Constitutional Court"
"Two-Member System is Lawful... Request for Recommendation of Standing Members"

On the 23rd, Lee Jin-sook, the Chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission (KCC), who was acquitted in the impeachment trial, immediately returned to work at the Government Complex Gwacheon where the KCC is located. On her way to work that day, she told reporters, "It has been nearly 180 days. There is a mountain of work to do. I will return to my duties and steadily resolve urgent matters in order."

When asked which tasks she would start with, she explained, "I need to consult with the staff. Since I was outside, the tasks I consider important may differ from those the staff have actually identified." However, she mentioned that there are various issues such as broadcasting companies' license renewals and re-approvals, as well as fines imposed on large foreign corporations.

Regarding ongoing criticism of the KCC's 'two-member system,' Lee emphasized, "That very issue was the reason for the constitutional court trial. Some media outlets talk about a 4-to-4 split, but the Constitutional Court is the place entrusted by the people to judge the law."

She continued, "Whether the vote was 4-to-4 or 5-to-3, six votes are required to uphold an impeachment, and that threshold was not met. Both 4-to-4 and 5-to-3 resulted in dismissal, and the dismissal reflects the will of the entire Constitutional Court."

She stated, "If the National Assembly refuses to appoint standing members for any reason, the executive branch cannot function properly," adding, "To prevent such situations from recurring, the Constitutional Court has ruled that administrative agencies can carry out necessary work with only two standing members."

Lee evaluated the ruling as having significant meaning, saying, "At some point, a judgment on the two-member system was necessary. Even if I had not gone to the Constitutional Court, this issue would have arisen eventually. This time, the Constitutional Court has neatly resolved it. The two-member system is lawful."

She also pointed out that the executive branch cannot function properly when the National Assembly does not appoint standing members, calling it "a personally rewarding case because it ensures that such incidents will not be repeated by the National Assembly."

Finally, Lee reiterated her request to the National Assembly to recommend additional standing members. She said, "The KCC has repeatedly urged the prompt recommendation of the remaining standing members. The records show this remains outstanding," and added, "Once again, I ask that three more standing members be promptly recommended to complete the five-member full commission."