The Democratic Party of Korea has initiated a re-push for the 'broadcasting three laws' (Broadcasting Act, Broadcasting Culture Promotion Act, Korea Educational Broadcasting System Act) that were discarded due to former President Yoon Suk-yeol's veto. However, the atmosphere has shifted to slowing down in light of recent cautious discussions within and outside the party and negotiations between the parties.
Initially, the Democratic Party announced plans to hold a plenary session on the 12th to aggressively push through the Criminal Procedure Act and the Public Official Election Act along with the broadcasting three laws.
The Science, ICT, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee canceled the subcommittee meeting and the plenary session scheduled for the 10th to review and deliberate on the broadcasting three laws.
The Democratic Party also canceled the National Assembly's plenary session originally expected to take place on the 12th. Reports suggest that the plenary session is being postponed until after the election of the next floor leader (on the 13th). Consequently, the Criminal Procedure Act, the Public Official Election Act, and the broadcasting three laws will all be re-examined by the new leadership.
Representative Kim Hyun, the Democratic Party's secretary of the committee, met with reporters at the National Assembly's communication hall and noted, "There are points of disagreement regarding the broadcasting three laws. We accepted the opinion of Secretary Choi Hyung-doo (of the People Power Party) to take our time and discuss together." Kim drew a line regarding the relevance to the presidential office, stating, "I will only say that we agreed to discuss among secretaries."
Opposition Secretary Choi Hyung-doo of the People Power Party emphasized, "The Broadcasting Act is a global standard system, and suddenly entrusting it to unmandated powers neglects the duties of the National Assembly. The amendment of the Broadcasting Act should be done within permissible limits; the Democratic Party's method is impossible."
The broadcasting three laws aim to expand the boards of directors of public broadcasters such as KBS, MBC, and EBS and increase government appointments. The Democratic Party reached a single proposal last month, but differences remain unresolved regarding the ratio of director recommendations between the parties and the processing methods.
Previously, the broadcasting three laws passed the National Assembly plenary session twice, but they were discarded due to former President Yoon Suk-yeol's veto.