Song Eon-seok: "Amendment to Information and Communications Network Act to Be Proposed Soon... President Lee Should Withdraw Lee Hye-hoon's Nomination"

"Special Prosecutor Needed for Nomination Bribery Allegations Involving Kang Sunwoo and Others"

Song Eon-seok, Floor Leader of the People Power Party, stated on December 30 that he would promptly propose a bill to remove the so-called "toxic clauses" in the amendment to the Information and Communications Network Act, which recently passed the government Cabinet meeting and has raised concerns from the U.S. State Department. He emphasized that these clauses would "gag the public."

At a press briefing held at the National Assembly on this day, Floor Leader Song said, "The fact that the U.S. State Department has expressed concerns about the Information and Communications Network Act is a very serious warning that trade friction between South Korea and the United States, which previously arose during tariff negotiations, could occur again."

Song Eon-seok, Floor Leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at a press briefing on current issues held at the National Assembly on January 2, 2026. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

The U.S. State Department recently stated that it has "serious concerns" regarding the amendment to the Information and Communications Network Act, citing that it could negatively impact U.S.-based online platform businesses and undermine freedom of expression.

Floor Leader Song stressed, "There is still time before the law takes effect," and insisted, "Even now, the unconstitutional amendment to the Information and Communications Network Act should be reversed."

Regarding Lee Hye-hoon, who has been nominated as the first Minister of Planning and Budget under the Lee Jaemyung administration, Song called for the withdrawal of the nomination. He commented, "Testimonies about nominee Lee's abuse of power and harsh language have led to claims that she and President Lee Jaemyung are birds of a feather," adding, "The government's personnel verification system has completely collapsed."

He also urged a special prosecutor's investigation into Kang Sunwoo, who is suspected of receiving nomination bribes, and Kim Byungki, the former floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who faces various corruption allegations. Song stated, "The party should not try to gloss over the nomination bribery allegations with a show of lenient disciplinary action, but must voluntarily request a thorough investigation."

He further criticized, "While the so-called pro-Lee (Lee Jaemyung) lawmakers such as Lee Choonseok, Kang Sunwoo, and Kim Byungki are quickly subjected to disciplinary 'shows,' if the party wants to prove its sincerity, it should immediately expel Jang Kyungtae, a close aide to Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheongrae, who faces sexual harassment allegations."