SEOUL — President Yoon Suk Yeol has vetoed four controversial broadcasting bills following their passage in the National Assembly, a move the government described as necessary to prevent undue interference in public broadcasting. This marks another significant clash between the executive branch and the opposition-led legislature over control of media governance.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the veto was an essential response to the Democratic Party’s unilateral efforts to enact legislation that would alter the management structures of public broadcasters significantly. The legislation aims to expand the number of directors on the boards of public broadcasters like KBS, MBC, and EBS, which the opposition argues would diminish governmental influence over broadcasting. However, the ruling People Power Party contends that these changes would instead increase opposition presence unduly.
To overturn the president’s veto, a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly is required. Given the current composition of the Assembly, where the People Power Party holds just over one-third of the seats, the legislation is likely to be defeated. The debate continues as both sides strive to shape the future landscape of public media in South Korea.