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President Lee Jae-myung speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul, on July 1. / Yonhap News

President Lee Jae-myung on July 1 approved the dismissal of Kim Tae-kyu, vice chair of the Korea Communications Commission (KCC), following Kim’s earlier offer to resign due to personal reasons.

The presidential office confirmed the decision in a public notice later that day.

Kim had submitted his resignation in late April, citing personal matters. With President Lee’s approval, the commission is now left with Chairwoman Lee Jin-sook as its sole member.

Lee reportedly asked President Lee during Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting to recommend a new commissioner, as the commission cannot hold plenary sessions with only one member. Her request was based on the need to restore the commission’s functionality.

However, President Lee declined, citing the potential deadlock that could arise from a two-member structure in which decisions could be stalled due to opposing views.

Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung explained in a briefing, “The president pointed out that in a 1-to-1 structure, antagonistic dynamics could intensify, leading to decision-making paralysis. Chairwoman Lee did not offer a solution to that concern.”

The KCC is supposed to be composed of five commissioners: two nominated by the president, including the chair, and three nominated by the National Assembly, all of whom currently remain vacant.