Police clear KCSC chairman Kwon Tae-sun of audit obstruction charges

Police have dropped charges against Kwon Tae-sun, chairman of the Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC), related to obstructing an audit by the Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI). The decision, made on May 14th, concludes a case that began nearly three years ago and saw Kwon previously dismissed from his position by the government.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Public Crime Investigation Division stated there was insufficient evidence to pursue charges against Kwon for violating the Board of Audit and Inspection Act and the Public Records Management Act. Four other individuals from the KCSC and Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) also faced similar accusations and were cleared.

The investigation stemmed from a complaint filed in November 2022 by the National Citizens' Alliance for Fair Media. The group alleged that the KCSC neglected its duty to supervise the management of MBC, which it oversees as the broadcaster's largest shareholder.

The BAI initiated its audit in February 2023 and referred the case to prosecutors in August of the same year, accusing Kwon and others of hindering the audit by failing to submit MBC-related documents promptly. The case was subsequently handled by various police and prosecution offices before reaching the Seoul Police Agency.

Notably, the Korea Communications Commission (KCC) had dismissed Kwon in August 2023, citing his alleged negligence in overseeing MBC's finances. However, Kwon contested the dismissal, filing an injunction with the court in September, which was granted, allowing him to retain his position as chairman.