Lee Jun-seok "Clearly Point Out What the Problem Is"
Hong Joon-pyo "Only Good at Chasing Ratings"
[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] The 7-hour phone conversation between Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, Kim Gun-hee, and a journalist was broadcasted, but evaluations such as "What's the problem?" and "They just did well in ratings" emerged.
On the 16th, MBC's Straight aired a broadcast summarizing excerpts from the phone conversation between Kim and Lee Myung-soo, a reporter from the YouTube channel "Seoul's Voice."
The report included content where Kim allegedly urged the journalist to criticize Hong Joon-pyo, a People Power Party lawmaker who was Yoon's rival in the primary, and urged joining the campaign. It also contained evaluations regarding the Me Too issue, saying former Chungcheongnam-do Governor Ahn Hee-jung was pitiful, and that during the investigation of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, the investigation should not have been conducted, but former Minister Yoo Si-min and others escalated the situation.
The content was more of a tease than what was publicly known.
Perhaps because of this, Lee Jun-seok, the leader of the People Power Party, posted on social media immediately after the broadcast, saying, "I wish they had pointed out more clearly which parts of the broadcast were problematic." He said that there is "nothing problematic" about a politician's spouse being involved in the election or speaking comfortably without knowing it would be reported.
Rather, Lee advised, "Since MBC plans to report again next week, it would be easier for viewers to understand if next week’s report includes the media’s perspective on exactly which parts are problematic and why." This was a kind of mockery, suggesting that the broadcast should include interpretation rather than just listing Kim’s remarks.
Hong Joon-pyo, a People Power Party lawmaker, also evaluated via social media, "MBC only teased viewers and did well in ratings." Hong, who had hoped "the truth about the Cho Kuk case would come out," mentioned the absence of related content, saying, "The meaning of the statement that the Democratic Party escalated the Cho Kuk incident will come out later, but the full text to be released soon is expected to detail the overall command during the primary."
Political commentator Yoo Chang-sun described it on social media as "a truly ridiculous commotion," calling it "a waste of broadcast and time." Yoo said, "It seems like a backfire," and "It looks like they tried to bring down Yoon Seok-yeol but ended up helping him."
In fact, the broadcast also provided Kim an opportunity to respond to the so-called Julie allegations raised against her.
In the conversation with the reporter, Kim said, "I have never been Julie," and "It would be good if those who raised the allegations continue to be interviewed. The more they speak, the more errors they will make."
Regarding the so-called Julie allegations that she worked as a hostess at a nightclub in the past, Kim said, "I have a personality that dislikes going to nightclubs," and "During such times, I am a spiritual person who prefers reading books and talking with shamans about what life is."
Kim said, "What kind of mother would do that to her daughter?" and "Those who say such things will be punished." She added, "My mother has plenty of money and no reason to sell her daughter," and "Such baseless stories make me even more disgusted."
When the topic of allegations about cohabiting with a current prosecutor and the existence of photos was brought up, Kim said, "Even if there are photos, it doesn't matter," and "It was a package tour, so it's rather good. The prosecutor’s wife knows everything. They originally planned to go together but couldn't because of a schedule in the U.S." She said, "If it comes out, even better," and "People misunderstand things."
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