▲ Kim Jong-chul, Chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission, strikes the gavel during the 24th general meeting for 2026 held at the Government Complex-Gwacheon on the 22nd.
The Korea Communications Commission (KCC) has decided to acknowledge that Oh Tae-gyu, a candidate for the Board of Directors of the Foundation for Broadcast Culture (the largest shareholder of MBC), whose appointment had been put on hold due to suspicions of participating in Lee Jae-myung's campaign during the last presidential election, will be automatically appointed once the statutory 14-day period expires.
During its 24th general meeting held at the Government Complex-Gwacheon today (the 22nd), the KCC established a majority opinion that if the commission fails to clearly verify grounds for disqualification of a public broadcaster board nominee within the statutory 14-day period, the candidate is automatically appointed.
Under the so-called "Three Broadcasting Acts," individuals who have served as advisors or consultants on broadcasting, communications, law, or management for the election of a presidential candidate within the past three years are disqualified from serving as public broadcaster board members.
Candidate Oh has completely denied allegations of campaign involvement, stating that he never held a position or engaged in activities for the camp, and even submitted a written pledge to that effect.
The Foundation for Broadcast Culture Act stipulates that if a recommended board candidate does not fall under grounds for disqualification, they shall be appointed within 14 days from the date of recommendation, and upon the expiration of this period, they shall be deemed immediately appointed.
The deemed appointment time for Candidate Oh is midnight on the 23rd.
Four commissioners lent weight to the interpretation of automatic appointment, arguing that appointments cannot be blocked based on suspicions alone.
Commissioner Koh Min-soo introduced the fundamental principle of criminal law that interpretations should lean in favor of the accused when there is doubt.
Commissioner Koh stated, "If the KCC, which bears the duty of verification, failed to verify—meaning it failed to confirm the existence of grounds for disqualification—inflicting disadvantages and stripping the nominee of their status would not be appropriate."
Commissioner Yoon Sung-ok interpreted the automatic appointment provision of the Foundation for Broadcast Culture Act as mandatory.
Commissioner Yoon said, "If appointments are withheld simply based on social controversy or suspicions raised through media reports, it could be abused based on subjective and arbitrary judgments in similar cases going forward."
While agreeing with the automatic appointment, Commissioner Choi Soo-young emphasized, "However, the fact that the commission engaged in verification for 14 days cannot be seen as fulfilling its duty. We must ensure that the process and procedures of requesting verification and responses are thoroughly documented, and make it clear that if grounds for disqualification are confirmed afterward, it will result in automatic retirement or loss of qualification."
Commissioner Ryu Shin-hwan and Commissioner Lee Sang-keun expressed dissenting opinions.
Commissioner Ryu stated that if suspicions were not resolved due to a lack of cooperation from the recommending institution and the party concerned, it should be regarded as grounds for disqualification, and the KCC should reject the appointment within 14 days.
Commissioner Lee Sang-keun also said, "When there are Party A and Party B, we must treat them equally, and I am troubled about how to proceed. I agree with Commissioner Ryu's opinion."
Chairperson Kim concluded based on the majority opinion that if clear grounds for disqualification are not actively confirmed for a public broadcaster board nominee, the candidate will be considered appointed upon the expiration of the statutory period.
Chairperson Kim stated that he understands that if supporting materials corresponding to legal grounds for disqualification are confirmed at a later date, it will result in automatic retirement.
The MBC chapter of the National Press Union issued a statement on the 21st, criticizing, "Is relying on legal loopholes to run out the clock by stalling the practical realization of public broadcasting normalization as advocated by the Democratic Party?" and asking, "Where on earth have all the justifications used to criticize the previous Yoon Suk Yeol administration's attempts to seize control of broadcasting gone?"
The MBC union previously urged the KCC, saying, "Hiding behind the temporary expedient of withholding resolutions is not a solution. Promptly determine Candidate Oh's grounds for disqualification."
(Photo provided by the Korea Communications Commission, Yonhap News)
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