The People Power Party noted that it will begin public recruitment procedures for one broadcasting and communications commission (BCC) commissioner recommended by the ruling party starting on the 18th. It criticized the Democratic Party for being passive in the recommendation process, calling it an 'intention to paralyze the BCC.'
Kweon Seong-dong, the floor leader of the People Power Party, stated at a meeting that, 'Starting today, we will carry out public recruitment procedures for one BCC commissioner allocated to our party.'
Currently, the BCC has a total of five commissioners, but since the National Assembly has not recommended three members, it is operating under a 'two-person system' with Chairperson Lee Jin-sook and Deputy Chairperson Kim Tae-kyu, both appointed by the president.
The People Power Party has continuously demanded that the opposition party promote the recommendation process for three BCC commissioners allocated to the National Assembly since the Constitutional Court rejected the impeachment motion against Chairperson Lee on Jan. 23.
However, the Democratic Party has not recommended candidates since Nov. 2023, when lawmaker Choi Min-hee withdrew her candidacy after President Yoon Suk-yeol rejected her as a nominee for BCC commissioner. On Sept. 2 last year, they formed a qualifications review special committee and initiated a public recruitment for BCC commissioner candidates, but they suddenly postponed the evaluation, halting the selection process. Afterward, they expressed their intent to resume the recommendation process in Nov. last year, but it fell through due to the martial law situation and impeachment political climate.
In the meantime, the Democratic Party and other opposition parties passed an amendment to the Broadcasting and Communications Commission Installation and Operation Act (BCC Act) during the National Assembly plenary session on the 27th of last month, stating that full meetings of the BCC can only be held when there are at least three commissioners present. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choi Sang-mok exercised his right to request reconsideration on this matter that day.
Floor Leader Kweon noted, 'It has been two months without any response from the opposition party, and they keep repeating that the two-person system of the BCC is illegal,' and he pointed out that it shows an 'intention to paralyze the BCC.'