Lee Jin-sook Claims Presidential Order on 'Broadcasting Act'... Presidential Office Says "Only Sought Opinion"

Lee Jin-sook Claims "President Gave Work Instructions, Has No Intention of Controlling Broadcasting"
Presidential Office Responds: "Close Communication with the Legislature Must Come First... Do Not Bypass the National Assembly"

There is ongoing controversy over Chairperson Lee Jin-sook's claim that she received instructions from President Lee Jae-myung to draft a Korea Communications Commission (KCC) proposal related to the "three broadcasting laws." Choi Min-hee, chairperson of the National Assembly's Science, ICT, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee?which oversees broadcasting law?has refuted Lee's claim, stating that there were no such instructions. The presidential office has also clarified that it merely sought Lee's opinion.

On July 7, during a full session of the National Assembly's Science, ICT, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee, the three broadcasting laws (the Broadcasting Act, the Foundation for Broadcast Culture Act, and the Korea Educational Broadcasting System Act), which focus on expanding the boards of public broadcasters, were passed under the leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea. When asked for her opinion on the three broadcasting laws during the meeting, Chairperson Lee stated, "If the laws are legislated through parliamentary procedures and deliberation and resolution by the Cabinet, the KCC will prepare and implement follow-up measures." She added, "It would have been better if the laws had been created through bipartisan agreement."

She went on to claim, "However, as the KCC chairperson directly under the president, I received work instructions." Regarding the specifics of these instructions, she said, "The president instructed that he has no interest in controlling broadcasting or the media, nor any intention to do so, and told the KCC to draft a proposal." She continued, "I instructed the secretariat to study overseas cases, and I will listen to opinions from all sectors and prepare a KCC proposal to report to the president."

In response, Choi Min-hee, chairperson of the committee, refuted Lee's claim, stating that, upon checking with working-level staff, there was no confirmation that the president had given such instructions, nor had any separate directives been issued.

The presidential office also presented a position that contradicts Chairperson Lee Jin-sook's claim. Spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung stated during a briefing, "Although Chairperson Lee used the term 'work instructions,' as far as I recall, it was closer to seeking her opinion rather than giving instructions." Kang added, "Personally, I think any message can be misunderstood by the recipient."

Kang particularly emphasized that Chairperson Lee should first communicate closely with the National Assembly. Kang stated, "The presidential office is not a legislative body," and added, "As KCC chairperson, it is more important to communicate closely with the legislative body, the National Assembly, rather than prioritizing reporting plans to the president."

Kang continued, "As far as I know, the KCC chairperson had sufficient time to discuss with the legislative body," and added, "Although this is my personal opinion, I believe that not bypassing the legislative body demonstrates the attitude of 'appointed power respecting elected power,' as the president has stated."