(2nd LD) Yoon accepts resignation offer of head of state broadcasting watchdog

▲ Lee Dong-kwan, chief of the Korea Communications Commission, attends a Cabinet meeting on Dec. 1, 2023. (Yonhap)

(2nd LD) broadcasting watchdog-chief resignation

(2nd LD) Yoon accepts resignation offer of head of state broadcasting watchdog

(ATTN: UPDATES with President Yoon's acceptance of resignation offer)

SEOUL, Dec. 1 (Yonhap) -- President Yoon Suk Yeol accepted the resignation offer of Korea Communications Commission (KCC) Chairman Lee Dong-kwan on Friday, his office said, hours before a National Assembly vote on his impeachment.

The chief of the state broadcasting watchdog offered his resignation to Yoon late Thursday, according to a source. The president approved a motion for Lee's dismissal on Friday, his office said in a notice to the press.

The move came days after the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) introduced an impeachment motion against Lee, accusing him of unfair personnel decisions and appointments aimed at increasing government influence over broadcasting stations.

The DP, which has a controlling majority in the 298-member Assembly with 168 seats, was set to pass the motion during a plenary parliamentary session Friday.

The chairman reportedly expressed his intention to step down following recent mishandling of KCC operations and over concerns that the commission could face a monthslong suspension of duties if the impeachment motion is passed.

The clash over the position of the broadcasting watchdog chief is widely believed to be part of efforts by the rival parties to put themselves in better positions ahead of April's parliamentary elections in consideration of the huge influence that broadcasting stations have over voters.

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