[Presidential Briefing] President Lee Jae-myung Withdraws Appeal in KBS President Dismissal Case (July 21, 2025)
[Presidential Briefing] President Lee Jae-myung Withdraws Appeal in KBS President Dismissal Case (July 21, 2025)
📢 Key Briefing by Spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung
On July 21, 2025, Presidential Spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung officially announced that President Lee Jae-myung had withdrawn the government's appeal in the dismissal lawsuit of former KBS President Kim Eui-cheol.
According to the briefing, “President Lee submitted the appeal withdrawal to the appellate court handling the case on July 20,” signifying the administration’s respect for judicial decisions and its intention to correct the prior administration’s wrongful action.
The initial case stemmed from former President Yoon Suk-yeol’s dismissal of Kim Eui-cheol during his term. On January 16, 2025, the Seoul Administrative Court ruled that “the dismissal was a misuse and abuse of discretion and therefore invalid.”
🗣️ President Lee's Message: “Respect for Court Decisions, Restoration of Public Broadcasting”
Spokesperson Kang emphasized that “President Lee decided to withdraw the appeal out of respect for the court’s ruling and to correct the unlawful actions committed by the previous administration.”
This move is not simply a legal tactic but is widely interpreted as a symbolic gesture affirming the government’s commitment to freedom of the press and independence of public broadcasters.
The Presidential Office reaffirmed its stance: “The Lee administration will continue to guarantee press freedom to the fullest and work toward restoring the public value of broadcasting.”
⚖️ Legal Implications and the Executive's Stance
Having the President directly submit a withdrawal of appeal carries deep legal and political meaning. Such voluntary terminations of litigation by a sitting government are rare and signal a powerful message of respecting judicial authority.
President Lee's decision reflects a philosophy of governance that avoids prolonged conflict, respects judicial rulings, and prioritizes national unity. Especially amid ongoing controversies regarding government intervention in public broadcasting, this withdrawal stands as a clear declaration of support for institutional press freedom.
It also demonstrates the administration’s commitment to ensuring that state authority is exercised within the framework of the rule of law, without political bias.
📰 Media Response and Future Outlook
Major media associations such as the Journalists Association of Korea and the Broadcasting Reporters Association welcomed the decision, stating it places emphasis on the essential role of journalism rather than political confrontation.
However, experts also stress that simply withdrawing the appeal does not resolve structural issues. Institutional reforms must follow to truly ensure autonomy and public responsibility in public broadcasting.
The Office of the President is reportedly reviewing reforms, including transparent board composition, independent leadership selection, and safeguards against political interference. The Lee administration is expected to pursue meaningful improvements in media governance structures.
📅 Summary of the Official Statement
“President Lee Jae-myung submitted a notice of appeal withdrawal to the appellate court in the dismissal case of former KBS President Kim Eui-cheol. The Seoul Administrative Court had previously ruled that the dismissal by former President Yoon was invalid due to an abuse of discretion. Respecting the court’s judgment and correcting unlawful acts by the previous administration, President Lee made the decision to withdraw. The Lee administration will continue to uphold press freedom and strive to restore the public nature of broadcasting.”
July 21, 2025
Presidential Spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung
📌 Related Information
This post is based on official content provided by the Office of the President of South Korea.
If you found this article helpful, please consider leaving a comment or sharing it. 🙏
댓글
댓글 쓰기