Baek Hyunjin: "A Media Company President Should Only Speak Under the Covers... MBC Has Been Out of Order for a Long Time" Criticism

Assemblywoman Baek Hyun-jin of the People Power Party. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Seoyoung] Bae Hyunjin, a member of the People Power Party, sharply criticized Park Seongje, president of MBC, regarding his apology for his remarks.

Earlier, on the 14th, Park Seongje, president of MBC, stated at the Korean Association for Journalism Studies regular academic conference held at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Jung-gu, Seoul, "The public nature of public broadcasting must embody neutrality, fairness, independence, as well as the spirit of the times and common sense."

He questioned, "Is it the role of public broadcasting to uncritically relay conflicts based on political interests or gender in our society equally?" He added, "Is it proper public broadcasting to report one-to-one on a prosecution reform rally voluntarily gathered by citizens and a religious rally claimed by some slightly unhinged people in Gwanghwamun?" However, this remark soon came under fire. The controversy grew over whether it was a derogatory comment aimed at participants of a specific rally.

As criticism continued, President Park stated, "The expression referred to rallies attended by some individuals who have been criticized for extreme remarks," emphasizing, "It did not refer to the attendees of the rally or general conservative rallies." He also added an apology, saying, "Please consider the overall context of the remarks," and "I acknowledge that I used some inappropriate expressions that were different from my original intention."

Photo by Baehyun Jin, Member of the People Power Party, Facebook

In response, today (the 15th), Bae Hyunjin, a member of the People Power Party, said on her Facebook, "MBC President Park Seongje apologized for the expression 'people gone crazy at the Gwanghwamun rally'." She added, "The president's mistake has only caused insults to the company, which has long been 'gone crazy'."

Additionally, Bae criticized, "(Park) explained on his Facebook that it was a misunderstanding of the context of his words," and said, "Can the president of a major media company carelessly utter what should be private thoughts under the covers at a public event after drinking, thereby causing controversy?" She concluded her post with, "Be careful with your words. It's good that he apologized, even if belatedly."