Ruling Party Dismisses Calls for Choi Minhee’s Resignation... "Far from Stepping Down as Chairperson"

Park Soo-hyun: "Resignation from Committee Chair Not Premised"

The Democratic Party of Korea is working to contain the situation regarding Minhee Choi, Chairperson of the Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Committee, who apologized for the controversy surrounding her child's wedding held at the National Assembly during the government audit. As the government audit period draws to a close and the legislative and budgetary session approaches, the party appears to be hoping that public criticism will subside.

Park Soo-hyun, Chief Spokesperson of the Democratic Party, met with reporters after the Supreme Council meeting on the 31st and stated, "The party leadership will take time to review this year's government audit, including the controversy surrounding Chairperson Choi, but this does not presuppose her resignation from the committee chair position."

Chief Spokesperson Park had previously told reporters that after the government audit concludes, Chairperson Choi would naturally share her position with the party leadership sometime next week, and there would be time to organize the details.

Previously, concerns were raised by Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheong-rae over Chairperson Choi's decision to expel the head of the MBC News Division during the government audit, which coincided with the controversy over congratulatory money received at her child's wedding. This led to speculation in political circles that her resignation might be decided after the government audit.

However, Chief Spokesperson Park drew a clear line regarding his own remarks about "taking time to organize the details," stating that this was far from implying that Chairperson Choi would step down from her position as committee chair.

Choi Minhee, Chairperson of the National Assembly Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Committee, is presiding over the government audit on the Korea Broadcasting System (KBS), Educational Broadcasting System (EBS), Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), and the major shareholder Broadcasting Culture Promotion Agency at the National Assembly Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Committee held in Yeouido, Seoul on October 23, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

At the party leadership level, it is interpreted that the party intends to effectively bring the controversy to a close with Chairperson Choi's apology, without taking any further action. Since Chairperson Choi is an elected member of the National Assembly, the party leadership cannot force her to resign, and there is a prevailing sentiment that the opposition's attacks should not be allowed to continue.

Assemblyman Kang Deukgu wrote on Facebook that a month or two ago, Chairperson Choi mentioned at a meal that she was "following her daughter's wishes," adding, "There is nothing I can do as I please with my daughter either." He defended her by saying, "While it is certainly regrettable that the wedding date could not be coordinated or that there was a lack of confirmation, the criticism that she intentionally informed affiliated organizations is somewhat excessive."

On the other hand, the People Power Party is intensifying its offensive, and with pending issues such as the ratification of the Korea-US trade agreement and the passage of bills, the ruling party is also feeling increased pressure. It remains uncertain whether Chairperson Choi's apology will be enough to resolve the situation. On this day, members of the Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Committee from the People Power Party issued a press release stating that Chairperson Choi received approximately 8 million won in congratulatory money from a total of eight individuals, including four major corporate officials, three terrestrial broadcaster representatives, and one company CEO, for her daughter's wedding. They reported her to the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission for alleged violations of the "Kim Young-ran Act."

On the 23rd, at the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Communications Committee's audit of the Korea Broadcasting System and the Broadcasting Media Communications Deliberation Committee, Kang Jang-gyeom, a member of the People Power Party, is speaking. 2025.10.23 Photo by Kim Hyunmin