On the 26th, the National Assembly of South Korea held a plenary session wherein the recommendation of Choi Young-sik as a permanent member of the Broadcasting Media and Communication Commission was tabled. Out of 249 voting assembly members, 116 voted in favor, 124 against, and there were 9 abstentions, resulting in the rejection of Choi's nomination. The decision reflects concerns regarding Choi's controversial past, particularly his association with the far-right media outlet, Pen and Mic, and his alleged endorsement of the 12/3 insurrection, which drew significant opposition from the Democratic Party, the Justice Party, and other progressive factions.

This turn of events highlights the ongoing political struggle between the ruling party, the National Power Party, and opposition parties in South Korea. The rejection points to a larger narrative of deep political divisions where nominees associated with extreme right ideologies face considerable resistance in a polarized political landscape. With the current Assembly's composition, opposition forces have worked to increase scrutiny on the affiliations and backgrounds of nominees, particularly those suggested by the ruling party.

The implications of this vote could affect future nominations and the overall direction of media policy and governance in South Korea. As the media landscape continues to be a contentious issue, the failure of Choi Young-sik's nomination may set a precedent for more rigorous evaluations of candidates from parties deemed to be on the ideological extremes, thus impacting how media governance is approached by the national assembly in the future.