Broadcasting watchdog chief resigns before impeachment vote

Lee Dong-kwan, chief of the Korea Communications Commission, attends a Cabinet meeting on Friday. [NEWS1]

The head of the state broadcasting watchdog, the Korea Communications Commission (KCC), Lee Dong-kwan, offered to resign before a pending National Assembly impeachment vote on Friday.

Lee shared his intention to resign with President Yoon Suk Yeol on Thursday, according to media reports.

The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) introduced the motion earlier this week to impeach Lee and plans to pass it Friday. The DP accuses Lee of making unfair personnel decisions and appointments aimed at increasing government influence over broadcasting stations.

His resignation follows the recent mishandling of KCC operations and concerns that the commission could face a monthslong suspension of duties if he is impeached.

The DP can impeach him unilaterally as it has a controlling majority in the 298-member Assembly with 168 seats.

The clash over the position of the broadcasting watchdog chief is widely believed to be part of the rival parties' efforts to put themselves in better positions before April's parliamentary elections, considering the broadcasting stations' huge influence over voters.

BY SEO JI-EUN, YONHAP [seo.jieun1@joongang.co.kr]