Lee Jae-myung "Really Bad Chosun Ilbo... Stop the Childish Fake News Manipulation"

Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, expressed displeasure on the 17th regarding TV Chosun's report, saying, "Stop the childish fake news manipulation now."

In a post on his Facebook that day, Lee stated, "I never said 'I don't care about the party' in relation to Gyeonggi Province's disaster basic income."

On the same day, TV Chosun's 'News 7' reported that Lee had planned to announce on the 18th a plan to provide 100,000 won in disaster basic income to all residents of Gyeonggi Province but canceled it.

TV Chosun reported that the reason for Lee canceling the press conference was speculated by some within the ruling party to be due to concerns about internal criticism, but Gyeonggi Province denied this. Citing a 'Gyeonggi Province official,' they added a subtitle saying, "Not conscious of criticism from the Democratic Party."

The online news headline of the report was "Lee Jae-myung suddenly cancels press conference... postponed due to President's press conference, not conscious of the party."

In response, Lee criticized, "In a party-democratic country, there can be no party member who is not conscious of the party, and as a major party official elected as governor of Gyeonggi Province through the Democratic Party's nomination, I do not even think that way," adding, "My words were manipulated."

He continued, "This manipulated article by Chosun Ilbo will be exploited as a tool for division by factions disguised as party members, and it seems Chosun Ilbo manipulated it with such expectations," adding, "Cases like this have accumulated, leading to public opinion demanding strict punishment and punitive damages for intentional fake news."

A report video from TV Chosun's 'News7' on the 17th covering Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung's announcement of a plan to provide 100,000 won in disaster basic income to all Gyeonggi residents, which was later canceled. Photo by TV Chosun broadcast screen capture.

Earlier, on the 16th, Gyeonggi Province officially announced the '100,000 won disaster basic income payment to all residents,' stating, "We have accepted the proposal from the Gyeonggi Provincial Council to provide the second disaster basic income. The specific details will be announced by Governor Lee Jae-myung around the 18th."

However, the government and ruling party have insisted on 'selective payment' regarding the disaster relief fund payment method, leading to criticism within the party about Gyeonggi Province's announcement of the disaster basic income payment.

Subsequently, Lee announced the sudden cancellation of the press conference scheduled for the 18th. On the 17th, Lee explained on his Facebook, "The internal party debate among party members regarding Gyeonggi Province's disaster basic income is being distorted into conflict," adding, "The cancellation of the press conference on disaster relief funds scheduled for tomorrow is a natural respect for the party's decision-making process."

He further emphasized, "Also, focusing on President Moon Jae-in's New Year's press conference, which was announced after Gyeonggi Province's press conference schedule was confirmed, is an important matter," and stated, "I am a proud member of the Democratic Party."