SEOUL, July 31 (AJU PRESS) - Lee Jin-sook, the nominee for a position overseeing Korea's broadcasting watchdog, was appointed by President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday, amid controversies over her alleged misuse of corporate funds in the past.
Following a grueling three-day confirmation hearing, Yoon pushed for her appointment as the chief of the Korea Communications Commission (KCC), despite allegations of inappropriate use of corporate credit cards while she was president of terrestrial broadcaster MBC's Daejeon unit.
While the National Assembly is required to submit the confirmation hearing report to the president, he can proceed with the appointment regardless of the hearing's outcome. The presidential office had requested the report by the end of Tuesday, but the National Assembly's science, ICT, broadcasting, and communications committee declined.
Lawmakers from the main opposition Democratic Party opposed Lee's appointment, citing concerns over multiple allegations involving her and some "distorted or biased" views on country's historical issues. They argued that Lee is unfit for the position.
Reports surfaced that Lee, during her time at MBC, used her position to suppress labor union activities, adding to the controversy surrounding her nomination.
Following her appointment, Lee headed directly to the KCC at the Gwacheon Government Complex, south of Seoul, accompanied by Kim Tae-kyu, who was also appointed by the president as the standing commissioner of the KCC.
With the appointments of Lee and Kim, the KCC now has two out of its five members, meeting the minimum requirement to hold a full committee meeting. This allows them to appoint board members for the Foundation for Broadcast Culture, the major shareholder of public broadcasters KBS and MBC.
Opposition lawmakers claim that the appointments are part of a government attempt to control public broadcasters. The Democratic Party lawmakers said that they plan to propose an impeachment bill at a National Assembly plenary session on Thursday.
