(LEAD) Ruling party launches sit-in against impeachment of broadcasting watchdog chief

▲ Lawmakers from the ruling People Power Party stage a sit-in protest in front of the office of National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo on Nov. 30, 2023. (Yonhap)

▲ National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo (2nd from R) heads to the parliamentary chamber at the National Assembly in Seoul on Nov. 30, 2023. (Yonhap)

(LEAD) rival parties-plenary session

(LEAD) Ruling party launches sit-in against impeachment of broadcasting watchdog chief

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By Kang Jae-eun

SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- Lawmakers of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) launched a sit-in in front of the parliamentary chamber Thursday in protest of the main opposition Democratic Party's plan to impeach the chief of the state broadcasting watchdog.

The DP introduced the motion earlier this week to impeach Korea Communications Commission (KCC) Chairman Lee Dong-kwan and plans to pass it Friday. The DP accuses Lee of unfair personnel decisions and appointments aimed at increasing government influence over broadcasting stations.

The PPP, which has accused the DP of seeking Lee's impeachment for political purposes, had demanded National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo not open a plenary meeting Thursday, saying the meeting had originally been scheduled to only handle the government's 2024 budget.

But the speaker opened the meeting and allowed the impeachment motion to be reported before parliament, paving the way for its passage Friday. The DP can approve the motion on its own as it has a controlling majority in the 298-member Assembly with 168 seats.

Before launching the sit-in, PPP lawmakers held a protest in front of the speaker's office.

The PPP plans to continue the sit-in in front of the National Assembly chamber until Friday's plenary meeting.

The clash over the position of the broadcasting watchdog chief is widely believed to be part of efforts by the rival parties to put themselves in better positions ahead of April's parliamentary elections in consideration of the huge influence that broadcasting stations have over voters.

The DP also plans to put to a vote two impeachment motions against prosecutors Friday.

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