Korean Journalists Association "Lee Hae-chan Insults Reporters with Vulgar Language"

Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is answering reporters' questions after paying his respects at the funeral hall of Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul, where the late Mayor Park Won-soon’s wake was held on the morning of the 10th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Amid controversy over Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, making aggressive remarks to a reporter at the late Park Won-soon’s Seoul mayoral funeral on the 10th, the Korea Journalists Association urged Lee to apologize on the 13th. Earlier, Lee sparked controversy by calling a reporter who asked about sexual harassment allegations against the deceased a "xx bastard."

In a statement released that day, the Journalists Association said, "It is said that Lee and the late Mayor Park Won-soon were friends for 40 years. We understand that Lee’s grief must be immense."

They continued, "However, Lee is a public figure representing the ruling party. It was clearly inappropriate to respond to a reporter’s question with aggressive language influenced by personal emotions."

The association added, "Even for the sake of restoring the deceased’s honor, it would have sufficed to truthfully clarify the situation within the party. Using vulgar language to insult the reporter not only damages the dignity of journalists but also constitutes another form of derogatory speech."

Earlier on the 10th, after paying respects to Mayor Park, Lee raised his voice when reporters asked, "There are allegations against the deceased. Does the party plan to respond?" He said, "That is not polite. Do you consider that polite here?" Then, glaring at the reporter, he said, "There are things you should at least be careful about..." before muttering, "Like a xx bastard," which caused controversy.

Meanwhile, through Kang Hoon-sik, chief spokesperson of the Democratic Party, Lee expressed on the afternoon of the 13th, "I deeply regret the administrative vacuum caused by unforeseen circumstances. I offer my condolences to the pain of the women who have come forward."

Below is the full text of the Journalists Association’s statement

【 Statement 】

We urge Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, to offer a sincere apology

Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, has caused a stir by using abusive language toward a reporter after paying respects at the funeral hall of the late Park Won-soon at Seoul National University Hospital on the 10th.

When a reporter asked Lee about plans for the party to respond to recent sexual harassment allegations against the late Mayor Park Won-soon, Lee shot a glare at the reporter and ended the interview with inappropriate abusive language.

It is said that Lee and the late Mayor Park were friends for 40 years. We understand that Lee’s grief must be immense. However, Lee is a public figure representing the ruling party. It was clearly inappropriate to respond to a reporter’s question with aggressive language influenced by personal emotions.

The conduct of public figures is a matter of public interest. Journalists report and investigate for the public’s right to know and social justice. Although the location of the interview may have been somewhat inappropriate for such questions, the reason reporters ask these questions despite the circumstances is their duty to report the truth, not based on political or ideological logic.

As a public figure, Lee should have simply clarified the facts about the ongoing situation within the party, at least to restore the deceased’s honor. Instead, using vulgar language to insult the reporter damaged the dignity of journalists and amounted to another form of derogatory speech.

Of course, Kang Hoon-sik, chief spokesperson of the Democratic Party, apologized for Lee’s abusive language. However, an apology from the chief spokesperson for the party leader’s mistake may raise doubts about its sincerity. Therefore, we urge Lee Hae-chan to offer a sincere apology and take responsibility.

July 13, 2020

Korea Journalists Association