DP urges Yoon to reject resignation offer from broadcasting watchdog chief

강재은 / 2023-12-01 11:25:05

DP floor leader-impeachment

▲ Rep. Hong Ihk-pyo, the main opposition Democratic Party's floor leader, speaks in a party leadership meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul on Dec. 1, 2023. (Yonhap)

DP floor leader-impeachment

DP urges Yoon to reject resignation offer from broadcasting watchdog chief

By Kang Jae-eun

SEOUL, Dec. 1 (Yonhap) -- The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) urged President Yoon Suk Yeol to reject the resignation offer from the state broadcasting watchdog chief, saying the move is a "gimmick" to avoid impeachment.

Korea Communications Commission Chairman Lee Dong-kwan offered the surprise resignation before the National Assembly opens a plenary meeting Friday afternoon, where the DP planned to pass an impeachment motion against him.

Lee's decision caught the DP off guard because his resignation would leave the impeachment push pointless.

"This is a gimmick aimed at avoiding impeachment," Rep. Hong Ihk-pyo, floor leader of the DP, said at a leadership meeting. "The president should not accept Lee's resignation and let the National Assembly finish its impeachment process."

The DP had pushed to impeach Lee because once impeached, his duties will immediately be suspended until the Constitutional Court decides whether to endorse or reject the impeachment, a process that usually takes a few months.

The DP has accused Lee of unfair personnel decisions and appointments aimed at increasing government influence over broadcasting stations. The impeachment would have suspended his duties ahead of April's parliamentary elections.

The impeachment motion was sure to pass because the DP has a majority in the Assembly.

The ruling People Power Party (PPP) has accused the DP of attempting to impeach Lee for political purposes. Party members have staged an overnight sit-in protest in front of the parliamentary chamber and have said it would boycott Friday's session altogether.

Such a clash over the position of the KCC chairman is widely believed to be part of efforts by the rival parties to put themselves in better positions ahead of the general elections, in consideration of the huge influence that broadcasting stations have over voters.

(END)