"A Structure Returning to the Past... Criticized as Abolishing a Position Because of a Person"
On Democratic Party Lawmakers: "They Also Insulted My Character"
On September 29, Jin-Sook Lee, Chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission, strongly criticized the upcoming enforcement of the law establishing the Broadcasting, Media, and Communications Commission, which will result in her automatic dismissal, calling it "a law created solely to remove Jin-Sook Lee."
At a press conference held at the Korea Communications Commission that afternoon, Chairperson Lee stated, "If the Constitution of the Republic of Korea is alive, those who interpret the Constitution will judge that the law establishing the Broadcasting, Media, and Communications Commission is, in fact, targeted legislation and therefore unconstitutional."
She explained that, assuming the bill passed by the National Assembly on September 27 is deliberated and approved at the Cabinet meeting around September 30 and then promulgated in the government gazette the following day, she will pursue legal actions such as filing a constitutional complaint and an injunction accordingly.
Regarding the content of the law, she pointed out that it merely transfers the paid broadcasting work of the Ministry of Science and ICT to the existing Korea Communications Commission, stating, "It is simply reverting to the division of work during the Lee Myung-bak administration and represents a return to the past." She added, "This is why there are criticisms that this is a case of abolishing a position because of a person and that it is targeted legislation."
She further noted that during the legislative process, there was no basis or explanation for increasing the number of commissioners from five to seven or for the non-succession of political appointees, and that there was no serious debate in the National Assembly.
Addressing the Democratic Party of Korea lawmakers who led the legislation, she said, "They insulted my character under the misconception that elected officials are superior to appointed officials," and argued, "They have created a formula that 'the majority is above the law and common sense.'"
Chairperson Lee also claimed that the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions' media union had targeted her for removal, questioning, "Why should the superior body of the public broadcaster's union be the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions?"
Regarding the two-member system of the Korea Communications Commission, which was previously cited as grounds for her impeachment, she argued, "Who created the so-called illegal two-member system? Was it not the Democratic Party of Korea that established the two-member system? It is like tying up the right hand and then questioning why one is eating with the left hand."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
