The Constitutional Court has partially suspended the effectiveness of the exclusion of Lee Jin-sook, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, from the national audit conducted by the National Assembly's Science and Technology Information Broadcasting and Communications Committee. As a result, she will be able to attend the national audit on broadcasting, media, and communications scheduled for the 22nd.
On the 21st, the Constitutional Court unanimously accepted part of Lee's request for a suspension of effectiveness. The court determined that the exclusion of Lee is only valid for matters related to her involvement in decisions and work during her tenure as chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission, as well as issues concerning the recommendation of directors for the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS), the appointment of the president of the Korea Educational Broadcasting System (EBS), and allegations of perjury and breach of duty.
Consequently, Lee will be able to participate in the national audit on the 22nd and address all matters except those specifically excluded.
The court stated, "When the plenary session or committee decides to suspend the audit of a lawmaker, it can only do so for matters where the lawmaker has a direct interest or there are significant reasons that could compromise fairness; it cannot broadly restrict audits."
However, regarding the matters for which the exclusion remains valid, the court noted, "There is a significant possibility that the reasons for exclusion are recognized, as Lee is a party to the controversial actions. If the request for suspension is fully granted and the dispute over authority is dismissed, there would be no way to restore the fairness of the audit that would be compromised as a result."
Previously, on the 12th, the Science and Technology Committee, led by the Democratic Party, voted to exclude Lee from the national audit. This decision was based on concerns of a conflict of interest regarding matters she decided during her tenure as chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission.
In response, the People Power Party and Lee filed a request for a suspension of effectiveness and a dispute over authority with the Constitutional Court on the 15th. The court dismissed the People Power Party's request, stating that the party lacked standing as a claimant or party in the dispute.
Meanwhile, members of the Science and Technology Committee from the People Power Party issued a statement immediately after the court's decision, emphasizing that this ruling clarifies that the majority in the National Assembly should not arbitrarily limit the rights of lawmakers guaranteed by the Constitution and laws, urging the Democratic Party to take this decision seriously.
On the 21st, the Constitutional Court unanimously accepted part of Lee's request for a suspension of effectiveness. The court determined that the exclusion of Lee is only valid for matters related to her involvement in decisions and work during her tenure as chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission, as well as issues concerning the recommendation of directors for the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS), the appointment of the president of the Korea Educational Broadcasting System (EBS), and allegations of perjury and breach of duty.
Consequently, Lee will be able to participate in the national audit on the 22nd and address all matters except those specifically excluded.
The court stated, "When the plenary session or committee decides to suspend the audit of a lawmaker, it can only do so for matters where the lawmaker has a direct interest or there are significant reasons that could compromise fairness; it cannot broadly restrict audits."
However, regarding the matters for which the exclusion remains valid, the court noted, "There is a significant possibility that the reasons for exclusion are recognized, as Lee is a party to the controversial actions. If the request for suspension is fully granted and the dispute over authority is dismissed, there would be no way to restore the fairness of the audit that would be compromised as a result."
Previously, on the 12th, the Science and Technology Committee, led by the Democratic Party, voted to exclude Lee from the national audit. This decision was based on concerns of a conflict of interest regarding matters she decided during her tenure as chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission.
In response, the People Power Party and Lee filed a request for a suspension of effectiveness and a dispute over authority with the Constitutional Court on the 15th. The court dismissed the People Power Party's request, stating that the party lacked standing as a claimant or party in the dispute.
Meanwhile, members of the Science and Technology Committee from the People Power Party issued a statement immediately after the court's decision, emphasizing that this ruling clarifies that the majority in the National Assembly should not arbitrarily limit the rights of lawmakers guaranteed by the Constitution and laws, urging the Democratic Party to take this decision seriously.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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