hankyoreh

Jan. 27. (Photo by Kim Myoung-jin)

By Kwon Gwi-soon

Korea Communications Commission (KCC) chairman Choi See-joong resigned Friday under pressure concerning suspicions of corruption among his aides. Critics had also called on him to take responsibility for pro-government forces taking over the media. Choi’s resignation comes three years and 10 months after he took over the chairmanship on March 26, 2008.

At a press conference, Choi said the announcement of his resignation might seem sudden, but now was the time for him to leave. He said all his physical and mental energy had been exhausted and he wished to leave with a light heart.



Choi did not hide the fact that suspicions of corruption involving Jong Yong-wook, a former KCC policy aide who has been considered Choi’s adopted son, was a major part of his decision. Jeong is being investigated by prosecutors on suspicion of making hundreds of millions of won while taking part in the naming of the EBS director. Choi said the suspicions had hurt the organization’s pride terribly and that he could not hide his dismay. He said he thought the entire organization shouldn’t come under fire from outside because of him, or that policies like leading the “smart” revolution and strengthening the media industry’s competitiveness mustn’t be slowed.



A mentor to President Lee Myung-bak and one of the president’s closest aides, Choi led administration efforts to take over the media, such as the sacking of KBC president Jung Yun-joo. During his term in office, Choi, a former journalist with the Dong-A Ilbo, went all out to allow conservative papers like the Chosun Ilbo, JoongAng Ilbo and Dong-A Ilbo to enjoy benefits like comprehensive broadcast channels.



In order to hire Jeong Yong-wook in July 2008, Choi even applied to the Ministry of Government Administration and Home Affairs to change special regulations regarding the open appointment of officials. This was a factor that made the corruption suspicions a burden. Jeong left for overseas after quitting his position at the KCC in October of last year and has yet to return. The confirmation of a not-guilty verdict on charges of malfeasance against former KBS chief Jung on Jan 13 was also a big burden on Choi, who had said if the verdict were confirmed, he would "take responsibility."



People’s Coalition for Media Reform secretary general Chu Hye-seon pointed out that Choi naturally needed to take responsibility for the corruption allegations, but the prosecutors’ investigation into the suspicions shouldn’t end with his resignation.

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