Background
The Yoon Suk-yeol regime’s unconstitutional crackdown on freedom of expression has raised international concerns. Late last year, the 3 Broadcasting Act, which will guarantee the public broadcasting systems a minimum level of political independence, passed the National Assembly but was vetoed by President Yoon.
On May 30, the 22nd National Assembly will begin its term. The 22nd National Assembly should immediately reintroduce the 3 Broadcasting Act, and conduct a Parliamentary Investigation on the media hijacking by the Korean Communications Commission (KCC) and the Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC). It should establish a special committee on media reform to address the current media issues, including reform of the KCC and KCSC.
Press Conference
Time and Venue: Tuesday, May 28, 2 PM at the National Assembly
Moderator: Ji Hyun Lee, People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy
Opening Remarks: Park Seok-woon, Co-president of the Joint Action to Stop Media Hijacking
Speech 1: Yoon Chang-hyun, Chairman, National Media Worker’s Union
Speech 2: Shin Tae-seop, Standing Representative, CCDM
Speech 3: Representatives from KBS, MBC, YTN, TBS
Statement of Resolution
The crackdown on the media under Yoon Seok-yul’s regime has led to the demise of South Korea’s democracy. In March 2024, the Swedish Institute for Democracy and Diversity reported that South Korea is moving from “democratization to authoritarianism.” In May, the Reporters Without Borders ranked South Korea 62nd on its Press Freedom Index, which is a 15-place drop in just one year.
However, the Yoon regime and the ruling party will continue to crack down on the media.
Today, we gather to demand that the 22nd National Assembly restore press freedom and democracy, which have been suppressed under the Yoon Seok-yeol administration. Furthermore, we resolve to take action ourselves.
One. The 22nd National Assembly should re-enact the 3 Broadcasting Act as a top priority.
One. The 22nd National Assembly should immediately conduct a Parliamentary Investigation into the Yoon regime’s hijacking of the media.
One. The 22nd National Assembly should immediately establish a special committee on media reform to address the current media issues, including the reform of the KCC and KCSC.
One. We make every effort to institutionalize freedom of expression, and we stand firm against any ambitions of those in power to infringe on it.
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