Assembly passes all 4 broadcasting bills despite ruling party objection


All four controversial bills aimed at reducing the Yoon Suk Yeol administration's control over public broadcasters were approved by the opposition-led National Assembly on Tuesday. The revision to the Korea Educational Broadcasting System Act, pushed through by the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, was passed in a 189-0 vote during a plenary session. This marks the final passage of the four contentious broadcasting bills, with earlier amendments to the Broadcasting Act, the Foundation for Broadcast Culture Act, and the Act on the Establishment and Operation of Korea Communications Commission having been approved earlier in the month. The ruling People Power Party lawmakers strongly protested the Assembly's decision, leaving the premises before the plenary voting. They had just concluded a six-day filibuster in an attempt to prevent the bills' passage. With President Yoon expected to veto the bills, the presidential office responded cautiously, stating that the ruling and opposition parties should come to an agreement before making final decisions. The People Power Party plans to suggest that President Yoon veto the bills, labeling them as an "evil" attempt by the Democratic Party to gain permanent control over public broadcasters. The bills aim to change the governance structure of public broadcasters and give the power to appoint board directors and leadership to outside experts and the public. The People Power Party has criticized the bills as an attempt by the left to regain power over public broadcasters, while the Democratic Party claims the current administration has exerted excessive influence over the broadcasters.


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