Lee Jin-sook, Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, Reveals Background of Defamation Suit Against Min-hee Choi
Lee Jin-sook, the Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, provided a detailed statement regarding the background of her defamation suit against Min-hee Choi, the Chairman of the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Communications Committee.
During a full committee meeting of the National Assembly on the 20th, the chairman explained, "Chairman Choi made multiple remarks stating that 'the brain structure is abnormal,' which caused me to feel severe humiliation."
The chairman specified the reason for the lawsuit, stating, "I thought someone in a socially important position would have a sense of awareness and sensitivity to humiliation, but after making such remarks multiple times, I felt deeply insulted." She also expressed her displeasure, saying, "I have not received an apology regarding this matter, yet she discussed it again on the air."
Controversy and Clarification Over Comfort Women Testimony
In response, Chairman Choi addressed the issue, stating that the remarks were made during the confirmation hearing process.
Choi emphasized, "If a person has received a normal education and holds a ministerial-level position in the Republic of Korea, they should be able to state that the comfort women issue involves forced inhumane sexual exploitation and is an insult to our entire nation." Furthermore, she explained, "The expression 'the brain structure is abnormal' was meant to indicate that the thought pattern is strange for not being able to answer this."
The controversy traces back to the confirmation hearing of Lee on July 26 of last year. At that time, when Choi asked whether the Japanese military comfort women were forcibly mobilized or acted voluntarily, Lee responded, "I will not answer as it is a contentious issue" and "I will not respond to individual cases."
"I will not answer as it is a contentious issue," "I will not respond to individual cases."
Position on Resignation Demands and Bill Controversy
Chairman Lee also clarified her position regarding demands for her resignation.
She reiterated, "My term, as determined by law, lasts until August next year," and emphasized, "I have no intention of resigning."
Additionally, she expressed critical views about the "Establishment of the Audiovisual Media Communications Commission Law" proposed by Kim Hyun, a member of the Democratic Party.
Lee asserted that the proposed bill aimed to "exclude certain individuals," claiming that it was directed at her.
Her statement is interpreted as a warning that if this bill to abolish the Korea Communications Commission and establish the Audiovisual Media Communications Commission passes, her position would be immediately lost.
Meanwhile, last month, Lee filed a complaint against Choi for defamation at the Yeongdeungpo Police Station in Seoul, and on the 11th, she also reported Shin Jeong-hoon, Chairman of the National Assembly’s Administrative Safety Committee, and Yoo Jae-sung, Acting Chief of the National Police Agency, to the Western District Prosecutor's Office for abuse of power.
The basis for the complaint is that Shin demanded coercive investigations into Lee’s alleged breach of trust from Acting Chief Yoo during a full meeting of the National Assembly's Administrative Safety Committee on the 5th, and that Yoo was reported for directing the National Investigation Headquarters to promptly investigate the same case afterward.
Image sources: Lee Jin-sook, Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission / News1, Choi Min-hee, Chairman of the National Assembly’s Science, Technology, Information and Communications Committee / News1
