Lee Jeong-hyun: "If I am guilty, Yoon Young-chan who said 'Let Kakao come in' is also guilty"

Lee Jeong-hyun Found Guilty of Interfering in KBS Sewol Ferry Coverage

Independent lawmaker Lee Jung-hyun, who is accused of interfering with KBS's Sewol ferry coverage during his tenure as Blue House Chief Secretary for Public Relations, is attending a continuation of the appeal trial held last September at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seul-gi] Lee Jung-hyun, former Saenuri Party (now People Power Party) lawmaker who was convicted for interfering with Sewol ferry disaster coverage, said regarding the controversy over text messages sent by Yoon Young-chan, a Democratic Party lawmaker, "If I am guilty, then government and ruling party members should also be guilty for the same issue in a rule-of-law country."

On the 22nd, Lee made this remark in an interview with Monthly Chosun, stating, "If the law is applied differently to the ruling and opposition parties, then it is a country without law, in other words, a dictatorship."

He added, "The media-related law is precedent set by Lee Jung-hyun. Watching the people in this administration write indictments on the street about the power elite's corruption and say it is not a crime, and write rulings and claim innocence, I got fed up."

Previously, it was revealed that in 2014, when Lee was the Blue House's head of public relations, he called the then KBS news director regarding Sewol ferry coverage, saying, "They are making it seem like the Coast Guard is at fault. Do it after things are somewhat settled."

Following this, the Sewol ferry disaster special investigation committee reported Lee to the prosecution in 2016 for "unjustly interfering with broadcast programming." Lee's fine of 10 million won was finalized in January this year.

Meanwhile, on the 8th, at the National Assembly plenary session, Yoon was caught on camera sending a text to his aide saying, "Tell Kakao to come (to the National Assembly)," sparking controversy. When allegations arose that he pressured the portal, Yoon apologized, saying, "It was my fault."