Government to "Enhance Quality and Repost" After Switching Video to Private Mode
[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Lim Juhyung] Broadcaster Kim Mina, a former JTBC weathercaster, has been embroiled in controversy for making sexually suggestive remarks toward a minor on the government’s official YouTube channel. The government has made the video private and stated that they will "repost it after improving its quality."
On the afternoon of the 1st, the government posted on its official YouTube channel, 'Republic of Korea Government,' saying, "'What the Backpack' was planned as a YouTube segment with the concept of bag rummaging to communicate directly with the public, featuring conversations with citizens through the screen in a non-face-to-face manner," and added, "There were opinions that some parts of the conversation between the student participant and the segment host Kim Mina were inappropriate, so we intend to revise those parts."
They further explained, "The video was an episode sharing honest thoughts of parents and students who started online classes."
They also apologized, saying, "We sincerely apologize for causing discomfort to the viewers of the channel," and added, "We will pay more careful attention when producing YouTube videos in the future and will spare no effort to create good content."
On the same day, while hosting the show 'What the Backpack' on the YouTube channel, Kim Mina had a video call with middle school student A, who was attending online classes. Kim Mina asked A, "You are in a period full of energy; where do you release that energy?" When A did not answer and laughed, she said, "Why are you laughing? Are you thinking the same thing as me?"
Kim Mina also asked, "Is there anything good about being at home due to online school?" to which A replied, "It’s good because my mom is rarely at home." Then Kim Mina asked again, "Then what do you do when you are alone at home?" but A could not answer.
Reactions from netizens who watched the video were mixed. Some viewers criticized Kim Mina for making sexually suggestive questions toward the minor, A. One netizen commented, "Imagine if a male announcer said those things to a female middle school student," adding, "This video crossed the line."
As the controversy grew, the video was set to private on the YouTube channel.
Meanwhile, 'What the Backpack National Communication Project,' hosted by Kim Mina, began airing on January 23. The controversial video is the third episode of season 2, featuring Kim Mina looking into citizens’ bags and talking about their daily lives.
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