"I really need to take the subway today," lamented a staff member of the Broadcasting, Media and Communications Commission during the national audit hearing. His wish went unfulfilled as the hearing dragged on, forcing him to take a taxi home. Late returns are not uncommon for public officials during audit season. The question remains: what were they doing at the National Assembly so late?
This year, the focus of the Broadcasting, Media and Communications Commission's national audit was not on broadcasting, media, or communications, but rather on Lee Jin-sook, a member of the ruling People Power Party and former chair of the Korea Communications Commission.
Lawmakers clashed over whether Lee's participation in the audit constituted a conflict of interest. The Democratic Party argued that it was inappropriate for someone involved in matters handled by the previous commission to participate in the audit, pushing for her exclusion. The People Power Party countered that restricting the audit rights of a sitting lawmaker was an abuse of power. This led to anonymous voting, walkouts, and protests.
The Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Committee has long been criticized for spending more time on political disputes than on science and technology issues. This year, it has become known as the 'Lee Jin-sook Committee.' While the national audit turned into a debate over one person's qualifications and past actions, pressing issues directly affecting citizens' lives and industries were pushed aside.
There were numerous matters that needed addressing. A prominent issue was the allegations against Google and Apple regarding mandatory in-app payments. Despite the previous commission announcing plans for fines in 2023, years have passed without a final decision. Allegations that app market operators forced developers to use specific payment methods, effectively disadvantaging external payments, directly impact the revenue of the domestic content industry. The Broadcasting, Media and Communications Commission stated it would reach a conclusion by the end of the month, but questions remain about why it has taken so long and whether any sanctions will be effective.
Similarly, there are concerns regarding Coupang's so-called 'kidnapping ads,' where users are redirected to the Coupang app or website without clicking on ads, making it difficult to return to the original screen. Critics argue that the structure incentivizes this behavior, as advertisers receive commissions if a product is purchased within 24 hours after accessing through an ad. It remains unclear whether this is a case of a partner company's misconduct or if the platform itself bears responsibility, but the issue has not been adequately examined due to the focus on Lee Jin-sook.
There are also concerns about the impact of AI. The rapid increase in AI-generated short-form dramas raises fears that teenagers are being exposed to inappropriate content and expressions. There are numerous issues to address, including age restrictions, harmful content labeling, accountability for recommendation algorithms, and measures to protect minors.
Additionally, there are pressing matters that the National Assembly needs to tackle, such as preventing the distribution of illegal recordings and protecting platform users. All these issues relate to the mobile phones, apps, AI, and content that citizens use daily. While they may seem less dramatic than political disputes, their importance should not be underestimated.
Of course, this does not mean that the controversy surrounding Lee's exclusion should have been ignored. The fairness of the national audit and the audit rights of lawmakers are both serious issues.
However, necessary debates should not overshadow the entire audit process. Spending a significant portion of the day debating her exclusion and then only allowing a few minutes for other pressing issues does not fulfill the responsibilities of the national audit.
The national audit should not be a stage for the loudest politicians. It is a time to verify the work that the executive branch has postponed, investigate potential corporate violations, and address gaps in the system. It should focus on what has changed, not on who won or lost.
How will the staff member who took a taxi home remember this national audit? Will it be remembered as the day when lawmakers fought over the name Lee Jin-sook?
The Broadcasting, Media and Communications Committee has not escaped its reputation as the 'Broadcasting Committee.' Instead, it has gained another name: the 'Lee Jin-sook Committee.' In the meantime, the pressing issues that citizens have been waiting for have once again been sidelined.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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