Reporter Association "Threatening reporters covering President's golf, violation of press freedom... Those responsible must be held accountable"

Korean Journalists Association, Statement on CBS Reporter Police Investigation

The Korea Journalists Association stated that the confiscation of a CBS reporter's mobile phone and the subsequent police investigation while covering President Yoon Seok-yeol's visit to a golf course is a "serious infringement on press freedom."

In a statement released on the 18th, the association emphasized, "Intimidation by those in power and false explanations cannot conceal the truth," and added, "The seizure of a reporter's mobile phone and the police investigation will not diminish the mission of the press."

It continued, "We are outraged by the Presidential Security Service's improper response to the CBS reporter and the police investigation," and asserted, "This is a serious matter infringing on press freedom, and we urge the Presidential Office to apologize for the wrongdoing against the media outlet and to hold those responsible accountable."

President Yoon Suk-yeol departing to attend the 31st Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the 19th Group of Twenty (G20) Summit meetings. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Earlier, it was reported that the CBS reporter, after receiving information that President Yoon frequently visits a military golf course, attempted to verify this on site but was blocked by the Security Service. The police have filed charges of trespassing.

The Presidential Office explained that the president recently began practicing golf for diplomatic purposes with President-elect Trump, but multiple media reports suggest this explanation is likely untrue. There were also reports that the president had been visiting the golf course since August. This is the basis for opposition parties and the media claiming the explanation is false.

The association stressed, "Reporters report to uphold the public's right to know," and added, "The Presidential Office's conduct in interrogating reporters about their sources and attempting to identify whistleblowers while journalists cover the president's every move?a matter of public interest?is wrong."