On October 16, lawmakers clashed again in the National Assembly's Science and Technology Committee over the exclusion of Lee Jin-sook, a member of the People Power Party, from the national audit. As a result, the audit of the Korea Broadcasting System (KBS) and other entities was unable to commence.
At the start of the audit, Lee expressed regret over the committee's decision to exclude her, which was passed on October 12. The committee, led by the Democratic Party, had determined that Lee's previous decisions as chair of the Korea Communications Commission could present a conflict of interest.
Lee stated, "I have not been involved in the privatization of YTN," asserting her right to speak on matters related to YTN. She emphasized, "My speaking rights are a sacred authority granted by the voters of Daegu Dalseong," and insisted that other lawmakers do not have the authority to strip her of that right.
Choi Hyung-doo, the People Power Party's committee secretary, pointed out, "In the first half of the 22nd National Assembly, how many times did someone who worked at YTN directly hold a hearing on YTN? If we are going to discuss conflicts of interest, there would be no end to it." Fellow party member Kim Jang-gyeom added that Lee had already stated she would refrain from commenting on matters related to herself, questioning whether Han Jun-ho, who is implicated in allegations of pressuring KBS, should be allowed to question KBS.
In contrast, the Democratic Party reiterated concerns about potential conflicts of interest involving Lee. The party's secretary, Han, noted, "There was a court ruling that deemed Lee's direct involvement in the KBS board appointment process illegal." Lee Jeong-heon also remarked, "It is unfair for someone who was involved in major decisions regarding KBS and the Korea Broadcasting Culture Promotion Association to participate in the audit as if nothing happened."
As tensions escalated, committee chair Song Gi-heon stated, "I believe we must respect the committee's decisions," and declared that, barring any other circumstances, Lee would not be granted speaking rights. He asserted his authority to manage the meeting, leading to a suspension of the audit amid heated exchanges between the parties.
At the start of the audit, Lee expressed regret over the committee's decision to exclude her, which was passed on October 12. The committee, led by the Democratic Party, had determined that Lee's previous decisions as chair of the Korea Communications Commission could present a conflict of interest.
Lee stated, "I have not been involved in the privatization of YTN," asserting her right to speak on matters related to YTN. She emphasized, "My speaking rights are a sacred authority granted by the voters of Daegu Dalseong," and insisted that other lawmakers do not have the authority to strip her of that right.
Choi Hyung-doo, the People Power Party's committee secretary, pointed out, "In the first half of the 22nd National Assembly, how many times did someone who worked at YTN directly hold a hearing on YTN? If we are going to discuss conflicts of interest, there would be no end to it." Fellow party member Kim Jang-gyeom added that Lee had already stated she would refrain from commenting on matters related to herself, questioning whether Han Jun-ho, who is implicated in allegations of pressuring KBS, should be allowed to question KBS.
In contrast, the Democratic Party reiterated concerns about potential conflicts of interest involving Lee. The party's secretary, Han, noted, "There was a court ruling that deemed Lee's direct involvement in the KBS board appointment process illegal." Lee Jeong-heon also remarked, "It is unfair for someone who was involved in major decisions regarding KBS and the Korea Broadcasting Culture Promotion Association to participate in the audit as if nothing happened."
As tensions escalated, committee chair Song Gi-heon stated, "I believe we must respect the committee's decisions," and declared that, barring any other circumstances, Lee would not be granted speaking rights. He asserted his authority to manage the meeting, leading to a suspension of the audit amid heated exchanges between the parties.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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