hankyoreh

They’re saying that Korea Communications Commission head Choi Si-jung was at a barbeque party held over the weekend at a guesthouse near the Blue House. The event was a reception for recently erstwhile members of the media who helped President Lee Myung-bak during his campaign. The head of the KCC is supposed to maintain independence, and it is very inappropriate for him to be attending what was an extremely private meeting.

As is well known, Choi is so close to the president that he is referred to as his mentor. The president’s choice of Choi to head the KCC was criticized for that very reason, since the KCC’s neutrality is of the utmost importance. If he was installed despite such criticism, then the least he could be doing would be to behave in a prudent manner now. It may seem that there should be no need to concern himself with formalities since the two are so close that Choi is able to easily give Lee advice, but if he wanted to be able to freely advise the president, he should have remained a free man. Participating in so very private a gathering is more than enough to put the KCC’s independence and neutrality in question.

The KCC was already facing criticism for its behavior in the recent mad cow disease controversy. A KCC official is said to have telephoned the Internet portal site Daum and demanded that it delete user comments critical of the president’s handling of the matter of American beef imports. The official explanation is that it was Daum that contacted the KCC, which merely responded. But questions remain because, by the looks of it, it is possible that an official who knew that his boss is close with the president may have gone overboard in making a demonstration of his loyalty. Choi needs to keep in mind that his every action sends a signal to KCC officials.

Comments by Choi at the Cabinet meeting of May 6 have also stirred controversy. “Beef is becoming more of an issue because the media is making an issue of it,” he said. “The Broadcasting Review Commission has finally been put together so, from here on in, it is likely that the commission will be able to handle it well.” That sure makes it sound like he is saying that media critical of the government are going to face censorship. What he said is wrong enough; it is even more problematic that the head of the KCC is attending Cabinet meetings. He should stop attending them.

It might look hypersensitive to be reacting to the behavior of one KCC chairman, but the behavior of people close to previous presidents as they monopolized affairs of government remains a fresh memory. Choi needs to start exercising discretion so that he does no harm to the country or himself.

Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]