Office of the President “Criminal Prosecution for Serious Crimes”
It is a dereliction of duty not to be dismissed or reinstated”
Lee Dong-gwan, the next chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, is likely to serve as a special adviser
On the 30th, President Yoon Seok-yeol approved the dismissal of Korean Communications Commission Chairman Han Sang-hyuk. The reason is that it is a situation where it is impossible to perform normal duties due to the commission of a serious crime. About a month before the end of his term, it is interpreted that the intention to ‘crime public broadcasting’ lies with the hasty dismissal of Chairman Han due to the prosecution’s prosecution. Late in the afternoon of the same day, the Office of the President issued a notice in the name of the spokesperson’s office, saying, “As chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, he violated his command and supervision responsibilities and duties, causing an unprecedented situation in which three people were arrested and prosecuted, and he committed a serious crime himself and was prosecuted. As a result, he has reached a position where it is impossible to carry out normal duties.” Previously, on the 2nd, the prosecution indicted the chairman without custody on charges of deliberately lowering the score during the 2020 re-approval review process during the Moon Jae-in administration. Three people, including the head of the jury, were director of the Korea Communications Commission, and the manager, were arrested. On this day, the presidential office issued an unusually long warning of 10 to 90 women (including spaces), explaining in detail why President Yoon approved the dismissal Chairman Han. The presidential office alleged that Chairman Han had △ failed to fulfill her duties as a person in charge of command and supervision △ violated fairness △ obstructed official duties through hierarchical means △ abused authority without consulting other standing members of Korea Communications Commission.He also mentioned the prosecution’s indictment that he abused his authority by arbitrarily shortening the validity period for re-approval from 4 years to 3 years, and that he wrote and distributed false press releases. An official from the president’s office said, “A legal ruling on the charges against Chairman Han may come later, but being accused himself is not appropriate for the performance of public duties.” Chairman Han has been under pressure to resign from all directions through an intensive inspection of the Korea Communications Commission by the Audit and Inspection Board in June last year and a subsequent investigation by the prosecution. On the 2nd, after the prosecution charged the unreserved chairman on charges of obstructing the performance of official duties, abuse of authority, obstructing the exercise of rights, and creating false public documents, the Office of Personnel Innovation began the hearing process. President Yoon is said to have made the decision on the day after comprehensively reviewing the hearing records and the opinion sent by the Office of Personnel Innovation. Dissatisfied with the disposition, Chairman Han plans to issue a temporary disposition for the stay of the execution and file an administrative lawsuit, so legal battles between the two sides are expected to continue. The Korea Communications Commission will act as an interim system for the time being. The KCC consists of two members for the president (chairman and one standing member), one for the ruling party, and two for the opposition. In addition, the Office of the President and the power of the people adhere to the policy of not appointing former lawmaker Choi Min-hee, who was recommended by the Democratic Party. Lee Dong-gwan, special adviser for foreign cooperation to the President, is mentioned as the next chairman of the Korea Communications Commission. Lee Myung-bak, a former journalist, served as the Blue House spokesman and chief public relations officer of the Lee Myung-bak administration. He is known to be trusted by President Yoon for advice on dealing with the press. However, pressure is being put on the possibility that President Yoon will not appoint the chairman of the Korea Communications Commission until the end of July, which is the remaining term of chairman Han. Reporter Mina Kim mina@hani.co.kr
