Two-member KCC’s decision to privatize YTN with no rationale or justification[Editorial]

A meeting of the ‘two-member Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission’ to discuss approving the change of YTN‘s largest shareholder is being held at the Gwacheon Government Complex in Gyeonggi-do, Gyeonggi-do, on July 7. By Kim Chang-gil

The Korea Communications Commission (KCC) finally approved at a general meeting on February 7 to change the largest shareholder of the news channel YTN to a private company, Eugene ENT. At the general meeting in name only, the "two-person commission," which consists of only Chairman Kim Hong-il and Vice Chairman Lee Sang-in, made their first major decision to privatize the local news channel. The dispute over the control of the country’s broadcasting system, which began with the former KCC chairman Lee Dong-gwan has been reignited.

More than two months ago, the KCC put a hold on a proposal to change the largest shareholder of YTN, saying, "There is a lack of grounds for public responsibility." Initially, allegations of defects and preferences were raised in the process of jointly disposing of shares in YTN by public corporation KEPCO KDN and the Korea Racing Authority. However, the KCC has received an additional memorandum of implementation and rationalized the decision to privatize the local news channel, saying that major shareholders will not intervene in reporting and programming. It is a decision after the fair to consider fairness and public interest later.

There is still a dispute over the eligibility of the largest shareholder. Earlier, Yu Kyung-sun, chairman of Eugene Group, was convicted of offering bribes to prosecutors. Eugene Investment & Securities is under investigation by the prosecution for its cross trading. It is like granting approval to acquire the news channel by attaching conditions to the company that caused social controversy.

Chairman Kim is a layman when it comes to broadcasting, and Vice Chairman Lee was formerly a legal representative of Chairman Yu, causing controversy over conflicts of interest. The commission with the two members, who are in dispute over competence and qualifications, ignores the purpose of the "five-person consensus system" and acts as a de facto independent agency. In December last year, the Seoul High Court suspended the KCC's appointment of a successor to Kwon Tae-sun, the chairperson of the Foundation of Broadcast Culture, ruling that "The decision was made based on the deliberation and decision of only two commissioners, which may undermine the legislative purpose of the Korea Communications Commission Act." It raised the illegality of the KCC’s decision with the two members. The decision on YTN, which was rushed through without sufficient public debate, cannot also be free from disputes over procedural illegality and legitimacy.

Privatization of news channels can blunt the ability of broadcasting to monitor and criticize power. Private companies with shareholders will be wary of the government. There should be no damage to the publicity of YTN. The problem lies with the KCC, which has the right to authorize and review. Controversy continues over the arbitrariness and partiality of the KCC operated by the two members. Last month, the KCC exceptionally allowed MBC to enhance its fairness on condition of reauthorization. Chairman Kim should not just call on President Yun Suk-yeol to create a five-member KCC, but should hold off on any major decisions until then and stop any irrationality that will raise suspicions of "gagging broadcasting companies.”

※This article has undergone review by a professional translator after being translated by an AI translation tool.