Ha Tae-kyung: "'Geu-al Sil-eon' Kim Sae-rom's Broadcast Withdrawal Is Excessive... Should Not Witch Hunt"

"Accept Kim Saerom's Apology and Allow Her to Work"
Kim Saerom Recently Said on Home Shopping Broadcast, "That's Not What's Important Now"
SBS 'Geu-al', Follow-up Report on the 'Jeong-in Case'
Kim Saerom "I Will Reflect on My Reckless Actions"

Ha Tae-kyung, People Power Party lawmaker / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Broadcaster Kim Saerom sparked controversy by saying "That's not what's important right now" regarding the SBS investigative program "Unanswered Questions," which was covering the so-called "Jung-in case" during a live home shopping broadcast. In response, Ha Tae-kyung, a member of the People Power Party, criticized the backlash, emphasizing that "witch hunts should not happen."

On the 26th, Ha posted on his Facebook, stating, "The role of a lawmaker is to help the weak and those who have been wronged," and added, "After seeing the news that Kim Saerom stepped down from the broadcast, I thought this was too excessive."

He continued, "Our entire community feels the sorrow and anger for not being able to protect Jung-in," but stressed, "That sorrow and anger should not lead to witch hunts against others who are not the perpetrators."

He further pointed out, "The host (Kim Saerom) may have made a mistake by mentioning another broadcast without confirming the details," and said, "She apologized immediately, and since it is clear there was no malicious intent, conducting a witch hunt and even taking away her job is excessive."

Ha stated, "If our community becomes a society of sudden anger, constantly making someone a scapegoat, eventually all members of the community will suffer," adding, "Because everyone can make mistakes."

He concluded, "A society of collective anger is not our future," emphasizing, "Our community can move forward only if we become a society that embraces unintentional small mistakes. Our society should accept Kim Saerom's apology and allow her to continue working."

Broadcaster Kim Saerom (left) and an apology statement posted on the official website of GS Home Shopping / Photo by Internet Homepage Capture

Earlier, on the 23rd, Kim Saerom appeared on GS Home Shopping's live broadcast "Show Me The Trend," promoting home appliances.

Meanwhile, at the same time, SBS's "Unanswered Questions" was airing a follow-up report on the case of adoptive parents who abused and ultimately caused the death of 16-month-old adoptee Jung-in.

Regarding this, Kim Saerom said, "Is 'Unanswered Questions' over now? That's not what's important," and encouraged viewers to "quickly buy (the products currently on sale)."

Her remarks sparked criticism on social networking services (SNS) and online communities, with many calling them "careless comments."

As the controversy grew, Kim Saerom posted on her Instagram, "I was also heartbroken and very angry about the case, but I did not realize it was being covered," and apologized, saying, "I will reflect on my thoughtless actions while taking the criticism to heart."

GS Home Shopping also issued a statement on its official website the next day (24th), apologizing, "The inappropriate remarks by the cast disappointed our customers and viewers," and added, "We take this situation seriously and feel a heavy responsibility."

GS Home Shopping decided to temporarily suspend the home shopping program, and Kim Saerom stepped down from the broadcast.