▲ Rep. Lee Jin-sook of the People Power Party leaves the meeting room in protest after Committee Chair Song Ki-heon of the Democratic Party of Korea added a motion to the agenda to disqualify her from the parliamentary audit of agencies, including the Broadcasting, Media and Communications Commission, during a plenary session of the National Assembly's Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee on October 12.
The National Assembly's Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee passed a motion led by the broader ruling coalition today (October 12) to exclude Rep. Lee Jin-sook of the People Power Party from the parliamentary audit of the Broadcasting, Media and Communications Commission.
The committee convened a plenary session during the audit on this day and put the motion to disqualify Rep. Lee to an anonymous vote, passing it with all 12 votes in favor out of 12 cast.
Lawmakers from the People Power Party boycotted the vote in protest.
In a parliamentary audit, disqualification prevents a specific audit committee member from participating in an audit or investigation solely regarding matters where the member has a direct conflict of interest or where there are prominent grounds that impartiality cannot be ensured.
The broader ruling bloc, including the Democratic Party of Korea and the Rebuilding Korea Party, demanded the introduction of the disqualification motion, arguing that there was potential for a conflict of interest because decisions made and duties performed by Rep. Lee during her tenure as chair of the Korea Communications Commission were subject to the day's audit.
Conversely, the People Power Party countered that there were no grounds for disqualification, stating that the National Assembly had already reviewed Rep. Lee's assignment to the Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee and determined that it did not constitute a conflict of interest.
Prior to tabling the disqualification motion, Committee Chair Song Ki-heon of the Democratic Party stated, "This constitutes a conflict of interest," and proposed, "Would it not be appropriate for you to recuse yourself from the parliamentary audit of the Broadcasting, Media and Communications Commission and the Broadcasting, Media and Communications Standards Commission?" Rep. Lee, however, refused, saying, "I have no intention of recusing myself."
Following a request by the Democratic Party, a motion to amend the agenda to table the measure was subsequently submitted and passed with 12 votes in favor and 5 abstentions.
Ahead of the vote on the disqualification motion, Rep. Lee argued, "I do not believe that the fact I served as chair of the Korea Communications Commission constitutes grounds for recusal or disqualification from the parliamentary audit," adding, "Forcing my disqualification through a vote simply because the Democratic Party holds the majority is tyranny of the majority and Democratic Party dictatorship."
Rep. Lee also signaled her intention to contest the decision, saying, "Even if a resolution is passed here, if an objection is raised, it must go through a resolution by the plenary session."
Under Article 13 of the Act on the Inspection and Investigation of State Administration, if a disqualification motion is passed, the lawmaker's audit or investigation must be suspended, and another lawmaker must be designated to conduct the audit or investigation.
However, the same act stipulates that if the member raises an objection, it must be resolved by the plenary session of the National Assembly.
<Reference> Article 13 of the Act on the Inspection and Investigation of State Administration (Disqualification and Recusal) ① A member shall not participate in an audit or investigation solely regarding an issue if they have a direct conflict of interest or if there are prominent grounds that impartiality cannot be ensured.
② When it is recognized that grounds under paragraph (1) exist, the audit or investigation by the relevant member shall be suspended by resolution of the plenary session or the committee, and another member shall be designated to conduct the audit or investigation.
③ When the relevant member objects to the measures under paragraph (2), the plenary session shall decide thereon.
④ A member who has grounds under paragraph (1) or a member who deems that a conflict of interest may arise as it falls under reporting matters under Article 32-4 (1) of the National Assembly Act shall apply for recusal to the chairperson of the committee to which they belong.
In such cases, the chairperson upon receiving the application for recusal may permit the recusal through consultation with the executive secretary.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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