Rift Over Broadcasting, Media and Communications Committee Appointments... Cheon Youngsik Rejected, Go Minsu Approved (Comprehensive)

The recommendation of Cheon Youngsik, the People Power Party's nominee for standing member of the Broadcasting, Media and Communications Committee, was voted down at the plenary session of the National Assembly on the 26th. In contrast, the recommendation of Go Minsu, the Democratic Party’s nominee for standing member, was approved.

Cheon’s nomination was rejected with 116 votes in favor, 124 against, and 9 abstentions out of 249 lawmakers present. Go’s nomination passed with 228 votes in favor, 17 against, and 4 abstentions with the same number of lawmakers present. The Democratic Party held a free vote without a party line on approval or rejection.

On the 26th, at the plenary session of the National Assembly, the nomination of Cheon Yeongsik, the People Power Party's nominee for the Broadcasting, Media and Communications Committee, was rejected, prompting strong protests from People Power Party lawmakers. Democratic Party lawmaker Park Seonwon, who was watching, then used the vulgar expression "Hey, you jerk!" toward the People Power Party lawmakers, sparking a commotion. Yonhap News.

Within the party, voices were raised criticizing Cheon’s suitability, given his background as presidential secretary for public relations planning in the Park Geunhye administration. Floor spokesperson Kim Hyunjung stated, "His record of writing columns that defended insurrection and justified martial law was cited as grounds for opposition." The Cho Kuk Innovation Party also adopted opposition to Cheon’s nomination as its official party stance.

The Broadcasting, Media and Communications Committee consists of seven members, including the chairperson. Two members are nominated by the president, two by the ruling party, and three by the opposition, and all are appointed or commissioned by the president.

Immediately after the rejection, People Power Party lawmakers protested, claiming that the agreement had been broken, while Democratic Party lawmakers countered by raising questions about Cheon’s qualifications. In the process, a heated war of words erupted over remarks made by Assemblyman Park Seonwon.

Floor leader Song Eonseok strongly condemned the outcome as "Democratic Party tyranny," and senior floor spokesperson Choi Eunseok also criticized the breach of precedent and demanded a public apology. In contrast, senior deputy floor leader for communication Jeon Yonggi said, "The People Power Party is also partly responsible for some lawmakers’ absence."

Meanwhile, the recommendations of Kim Baol and Shin Sangwook, nominees for non-standing member of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission recommended by each of the two parties, were both approved. The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission consists of 15 members, including the chairperson, and the president commissions three members recommended by the National Assembly.