"Out of eagerness to inform better"... Anchor apologizes for mimicking Kim Ho-jung's 'limping' walk

Anchor Yonghwan Lee "Sorry to viewers who felt uncomfortable"

Channel A anchor Lee Yong-hwan, who imitated limping and sparked controversy over disability discrimination during the reporting of trot singer Kim Ho-joong's drunk driving hit-and-run incident, has finally apologized.

The Korea Communications Standards Commission held a full meeting on the 23rd at the Broadcasting Hall in Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, and decided to issue an administrative guidance to Channel A's "Strong Team 4," which caused controversy over disability discrimination by the anchor while reporting on Kim Ho-joong's drunk driving hit-and-run case.

Singer Kim Ho-jung, who is accused of drunk hit-and-run, was being transferred to the prosecution at Gangnam Police Station in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on the morning of May 31.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

In the program aired on July 10, while reporting on Kim Ho-joong's court appearance, anchor Lee Yong-hwan said, "When Kim Ho-joong was entering the courtroom, he was 'limping.' It was the same when he left the trial," and imitated limping.

Additionally, there was a complaint about inaccurately reporting that Kim Ho-joong's mother was interviewed during the trial, which was later denied by the mother. A total of 1,519 complaints were filed with the Commission regarding the broadcast.

During the statement session that day, Lee Yong-hwan, the anchor involved in the controversy (now senior reporter), appeared in person and apologized. He stated, "As the host at the time, it was Kim Ho-joong's first trial and a matter of intense public interest, so I acted that way to explain it more clearly to the viewers. Filming inside the courtroom was not permitted, but as the broadcast time approached, I wanted to convey Kim's condition, which led to that behavior."

[Image source=Channel A news screen]

He continued, "It would have been sufficient to explain verbally, but my desire to explain better through actions ultimately caused confusion and discomfort. I sincerely apologize to the parties involved and to viewers who felt uncomfortable watching the broadcast." Cheon Sang-chul, deputy head of the news bureau, who also appeared, stated, "The program has been canceled, and a new cultural program will soon be launched and broadcast live."

The commissioners judged that the apology was sincere. Commissioner Kim Jung-soo said, "There were two apology broadcasts after the incident, and the anchor personally appeared today to apologize sincerely," recommending administrative guidance in the form of a 'recommendation.' Chairman Ryu Hee-rim also said, "The program was canceled within two weeks, disciplinary action was taken against the person involved, and the person showed deep remorse. I highly appreciate the prompt follow-up measures," and the recommendation was unanimously approved.