Han Jun-ho: "Yoon Administration Sold Off YTN... CIO Must Investigate Immediately to Uncover Mastermind"

Following the Board of Audit and Inspection's release of audit findings regarding the sale of shares in news channel YTN, Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Han Jun-ho urged the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) to launch an immediate investigation, saying, "The Yoon Suk Yeol administration twisted the arms of public institutions to sell off YTN."

Han, who serves as the Democratic Party's ranking member on the National Assembly's Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee and head of the party's Policy Coordination Committee, made the remarks on September 17 at a party policy coordination meeting at the National Assembly, stating, "We must fully investigate the entire truth behind the sale of YTN and strictly hold those responsible to account."

"The audit by the Board of Audit and Inspection confirmed the Yoon Suk Yeol administration's improper intervention," Han pointed out. "When bidding participants are reduced, someone benefits. Wasn't the playing field restructured to favor a specific company?"

According to the audit report disclosed by the Board of Audit and Inspection on September 14, KEPCO KDN and the Korea Racing Authority agreed in 2023 to sell 29.99% out of their combined 30.95% stake in YTN.

The decision to reduce the stake put up for sale was made because of provisions in the Broadcasting Act prohibiting large conglomerates and newspaper companies from holding more than a 30% stake in specialized news channels.

It was also aimed at maximizing sales proceeds by allowing a wider range of companies to participate in the bidding.

However, the Board of Audit and Inspection stated that "then-Korea Communications Commission Chairman Lee Dong-kwan intervened, prompting the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy to pressure the two public institutions into selling their entire 30.95% stake."

Lawmaker Han said, "The presidential office enters the picture in this process," adding, "The then-vice minister of industry, after speaking by phone with Lee Kwan-sup, then-senior presidential secretary for national planning, took the complete sale as official government policy and immediately called in relevant officials to instruct them to execute it."

Han continued, "Now the puzzle pieces come together. The architect was the Yoon Suk Yeol presidential office, Lee Dong-kwan changed the game according to that blueprint, and the Ministry of Industry pushed it through." He emphasized, "Why did they shut the door that could have let more companies in? Wasn't there a predetermined buyer in mind from the very beginning?"

Han stated, "The CIO must immediately launch an investigation," adding, "It must uncover the mastermind through this probe."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.