Criticizing Media Coverage
"Media Receives Information Like Prosecution's Pet Dog, Manipulates and Distorts"
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated on the 14th regarding the North Korea remittance case that "it will eventually be revealed as an unprecedented fabrication." Lee harshly criticized the media coverage related to the case, saying, "Due to the media's wrongful attitudes that stray from their fundamental role, the democracy of this country is being damaged and the truth is sinking into the sea."
On the same day, Lee expressed his position on the media reports through a statement in front of the Seoul Central District Court. He began by saying, "I would like to say a word to the journalists," and added, "The role of our media in important cases is to report the truth."
Lee pointed out that despite different judgments being made on the same issue in the cases involving former Gyeonggi Province Peace Deputy Governor Lee Hwa-young and Chairman Ahn Bu-su of the Asia-Pacific Exchange and Peace Association, no one is addressing this. He said, "The ruling on Chairman Ahn states that the $8 million remitted to North Korea was the price for Ssangbangwool Group's North Korea business, a North Korea-related business aimed at boosting stock prices," and added, "How is it that the ruling on former Deputy Governor Lee, made by the same court, judges Lee Jae-myung and Gyeonggi Province?" He continued, "Shouldn't the media at least report on why such discrepancies occurred? But they do not point out these issues at all."
He went on, "Chairman Ahn's testimony and statements completely changed at a certain point, and during that time, there were reports of a purchase act involving securing a house for Chairman Ahn's daughter. Why is the media silent about this?"
Lee said, "The National Intelligence Service's report clearly states that this was a remittance for Ssangbangwool's North Korea business and that stock price manipulation was taking place," and added, "Which is more credible: the confidential report from the National Intelligence Service, or the words of an immoral businessman who was punished for opening a gambling house as a former gangster, operating illegal lending businesses, and manipulating stock prices?" He further stated, "If the media showed even a little interest in these points, how could such an absolutely impossible fabrication case occur?"
He said, "When a state power institution like the prosecution fabricates a case and provides false information, the media eagerly accepts and fabricates it, but even when objective facts contrary to that emerge, the media shows no interest," and added, "Why is the media protected as the fourth estate, on par with the legislative, judicial, and executive branches? It is because you report the truth and function to restrain the abuse of power by state institutions, and thus are protected and respected by the constitution and laws." He continued, "Instead of reporting the truth, aren't you distorting and fabricating the information you receive like the prosecution's pet? Why should such people be protected? Due to the media's wrongful attitudes that stray from their fundamental role, the democracy of this country is being damaged and the truth is sinking into the sea," he criticized.
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