Woo Sang-ho says ”Lee Jin-sook should resign,” Lee responds, ”Political interpretation is wrong” (South Korea)

South Korea's Chief of Staff for Political Affairs Woo Sang-ho told Korea Communications Commission Chairman Lee Jin-sook, "There are rumors that you will run for mayor of Daegu. If you are thinking of running, it would be best for you to resign."
In response, Lee said, "It is wrong to interpret this as a political move." On the 31st of last month, Lee posted on his Facebook page, expressing his disapproval of Woo's request for his resignation.
Lee refuted the allegations directly. He said, "I have consistently maintained that the legal term of office of the head of the agency should be guaranteed by law," and emphasized that his own term ends in August 2026.
The 2026 local elections are currently scheduled for June 3, and if I complete my term, I will not be able to run." Lee also pointed out, "I will take office on July 31, 2024, but I will only be able to run for a short time.
He was impeached two days later." In response to criticism that "it was illegal for a two-person standing committee to appoint directors of a public broadcasting company," he said, "According to the Act on the Establishment of the Broadcasting and Communications Commission, a meeting can be held even if there are only two people.
"It's legal," he countered. He also pointed out that "the Democratic Party-led National Assembly did not try to return to a five-member system even after the impeachment was rejected." "If the National Assembly recommends three people, they will say, 'It's illegal.'
"I have consistently called for a complete five-person system, but I have not been involved in politics in my work," Lee said.
"I have not engaged in any political activities whatsoever," he said. Lee also refuted criticism that his remarks were political. Regarding his remarks at the Cabinet meeting, he said, "I only prepared my remarks in advance when I was giving a business report.
"I do not agree with the view that my comments at the Cabinet meeting, on social media, or to reporters are political actions," he said, adding, "Many of the reports about me are
"I think that other attendees spoke more than I did," he said. "If I had to pick a political statement," he said, adding, "Lee Jae-myung
"The president of the Democratic Party of Korea said at a Cabinet meeting that the appointment of three special prosecutors could be seen as political retaliation," he said.
He added that if only the Fatherland Reform Party were to participate, it would contradict the 'politics of integration' that President Lee spoke of," and emphasized, "My thinking has not changed."
Li criticized the move to rename the committee in order to get rid of one director.
"Not only signs and business cards, but various other unnecessary expenses are incurred," he said. "The rule of law begins with guaranteeing the term of office of the head of an agency as stipulated by law," he said, adding, "Changing the law for a purpose is not acceptable."
, the rule of law, and that is dictatorship." Lee's remarks this time were a rebuttal to what Chief Woo said the previous day in a conversation with a private broadcasting station. Chief Woo said at the time, "No matter how you look at it,
"It seems that this person is using his position as chairman of the Korea Communications Commission for political purposes," he said, demanding Lee's resignation. He said past chairmen had not made political statements, adding, "Even at Cabinet meetings, he made statements that were not requested of him.
He expressed his displeasure, saying, "They are not pure. I think they have political motives." He added, "It is necessary to handle broadcasting policy well.
"If he were an important person, we could have more dialogue, but I can't shake the suspicion that he is using his position as chairman of the Korea Communications Commission for political purposes," he said.
Meanwhile, the presidential office has already announced that it is considering dismissing Lee for violating political neutrality.
On the 29th, the ministry said, "(Lee's) violation of his obligation of political neutrality is a very serious matter, and it is true that we are considering dismissing him."