On the Way to Work for One Day Hearing Preparation
Emphasizing the Role and Responsibility of the Media
Lee Dong-kwan, the nominee for Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, stated, "The media is an area that cannot be controlled, nor should it be controlled," adding, "However, freedom must always be accompanied by responsibility."
On the 1st, while on his way to the personnel hearing preparation office near the Government Complex Gwacheon, Lee met with reporters and made these remarks in response to recent claims by opposition parties regarding attempts to control the media.
He said, "I am a former journalist who has worked in the media industry for over 20 years, and I believe that freedom of the press is the most important value in a liberal democratic constitutional order."
He emphasized, "However, irresponsibly spreading fake news or conveying arguments and claims based on the interests of specific camps or factions irresponsibly is a deviation from the core role of the media."
He added, "In the past, we did not call the newspapers and broadcasts of the Communist Party, which were very skillful in propaganda and agitation, 'media' because they did not convey facts and truth but rather transmitted claims," explaining, "We call those 'organ' newspapers, which is the English term for 기관지."
The nominee continued, "Around 2017, there was a so-called purge of deep-rooted evils that swept like a whirlwind, even being called a political strife of the Joseon Dynasty," and said, "If I had given any orders or executed any actions to control the media and there were clear results, do you think I could be standing here today?"
When asked whether he believes there are media outlets like 기관지 currently, Lee replied, "I think the public will judge and know that well."
He added, "The role of the media is to verify, doubt, and confirm in order to deliver the most objective and fair truth," and urged, "You should also doubt and verify what I say."
Regarding questions on how he plans to prepare for the hearing concerning his son's school violence controversy and his spouse's personnel recommendation allegations, he said, "I will sincerely and accurately clarify the facts based on the truth."
Regarding the allegations of his spouse's personnel recommendation, he stated, "The substantive truth is very simple. To summarize in two lines: it was immediately returned, and I reported it to the Office of Civil Affairs, which initiated an investigation."
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