Lee Jin-sook Says "This Is a Disaster for Korea" as 'Abolition of Korea Communications Commission Act' Passes

Lee Jin-sook, Chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission, strongly criticized the passage of the Broadcasting Media Communications Committee Establishment Act, which was pushed through the National Assembly on September 27 under the leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea.

Immediately after the bill was passed, Chairperson Lee met with reporters in front of the National Assembly plenary chamber and said, "I have mixed feelings, but my first thought was, 'This is a disaster for the Republic of Korea.'"

She stated, "The Broadcasting Media Communications Committee Establishment Act is, in effect, no different from the Korea Communications Commission Act; it is essentially the same," and reiterated, "The only difference is that the word 'media' has been inserted between 'broadcasting' and 'communications.'"

On the 27th, Lee Jinsuk, Chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission, is observing the unlimited debate at the National Assembly plenary session. Photo by Yonhap News

Regarding her automatic dismissal as a high-ranking official, she questioned, "If only high-ranking officials are to be automatically dismissed, there must be a basis for that, and it must be a reasonable basis. What is that basis?"

She continued, "It is extremely dangerous to designate the Chairperson of the Broadcasting Media Communications Review Committee as a high-ranking official, require a confirmation hearing, and make the position subject to impeachment," adding, "There are many elements of post-censorship, and even civic groups such as the People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy have expressed concerns about this."

Chairperson Lee went on to criticize, "Where else in the world is there a law like this?"

The Broadcasting Media Communications Committee Establishment Act, which abolishes the Korea Communications Commission and establishes the Broadcasting Media Communications Committee, was passed at the National Assembly plenary session that day under the leadership of the ruling party. If this law is implemented, Chairperson Lee, who was appointed during the Yoon Suk Yeol administration, will be automatically dismissed upon the expiration of her term.