"If I Had Praised the President's Policy, I Might Have Stayed"
"It Is Necessary to Point Out What Is Wrong... I Fulfilled My Role as Agency Head"
Former Chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission, Jin-Sook Lee, criticized President Lee Jaemyung's personnel appointment style and hinted at the possibility of running for mayor of Daegu in the June 3 local elections next year.
On the 30th, Lee appeared on Channel A Radio's "Political Signal" and commented on the nomination of former lawmaker Lee Hyehoon as Minister of Planning and Budget, saying, "To put it simply, President Lee Jaemyung seems to dismiss those who fall out of favor and even appoints people from the opposing camp if he sees value in utilizing them."
She continued, "When President Lee Jaemyung attended his first cabinet meeting, he shook hands with the cabinet members who were still present, and he greeted me with a very warm smile and handshake. At that time, I thought that if I had said, 'The customs negotiation was so successful that it needs no explanation,' and praised the president's policy, perhaps I too would have remained in my position, like Minister Song Miryung of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs."
She added, "However, it is necessary to point out what is wrong when something is wrong. Although I was not a cabinet member, as a participant in the cabinet meeting and as the head of an agency-especially as the head of the agency overseeing media policy-I believe it was my duty to fulfill that role."
When asked about her potential candidacy in next year's local elections, she stated, "My top priority is to resolve the constitutional complaint and injunction review regarding the establishment law of the Broadcasting Media Communications Commission, which I filed with the Constitutional Court," indicating that she would consider running after the court's decision.
Furthermore, regarding the possibility of running as a candidate for mayor of Daegu in the June 3 local elections next year, she reiterated, "My top priority is to resolve the constitutional complaint and injunction review regarding the establishment law of the Broadcasting Media Communications Commission," suggesting that she would review her candidacy after the Constitutional Court's decision.
Meanwhile, Lee has argued that she was unable to complete her term due to the law establishing the Broadcasting Media Communications Commission, claiming that her right to equality and freedom to choose her occupation were violated. On October 1, she filed a constitutional complaint with the Constitutional Court regarding the law and also submitted an application for an injunction to suspend its effect.
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