Kwon Seong-dong Avoids MBC Reporter’s Question? "Try Another Media Outlet"

Kwon Seong-dong Turns Away from MBC Reporter’s Question
Kim Dae-sik: "No Special Reason"

Kwon Seong-dong, Acting Party Leader and Floor Leader of the People Power Party, was reported to have refused to take questions from a reporter affiliated with MBC.

On the 18th, after concluding a party members' meeting held at the National Assembly, Acting Leader Kwon briefed reporters on current issues related to the formation of the Emergency Measures Committee Candidate Recommendation Committee. He referred to a report by a media outlet on the Telegram conversations of party-affiliated lawmakers on the day of the December 3 emergency martial law incident, explaining that it was an "edited version, not the original." He added, "We have filed a complaint against the media outlet with the Press Arbitration Commission. Please refrain from related reports."

Kwon Seong-dong, Acting Party Leader and Floor Leader of the People Power Party. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

Earlier, Floor Spokesperson Seo Ji-young requested reporters to "state their affiliation before asking questions." After finishing the briefing, Acting Leader Kwon said, "I will take only three questions." When an MBC reporter identified their affiliation and name and began to ask a question starting with "In the floor..." Kwon turned his head and said, "Please, other media outlets go ahead." Ultimately, Acting Leader Kwon took three questions from reporters of other media outlets before leaving.

Later, during a Q&A session with reporters, Chief Floor Spokesperson Kim Dae-sik was asked about the incident. When a reporter asked, "Earlier, an MBC reporter asked a question, but (Kwon Seong-dong) the floor leader did not take the question and just left. What is the reason?" he replied, "Who was from MBC? There is no special reason. It seems it happened because hands were raised on both sides, so it went that way." When the MBC reporter explained, "I raised my hand first, but the question was passed over," Kim said, "As far as I know, there is no special reason, but I will look into it. If there is such a situation, please understand."

Meanwhile, on the 18th at the People Power Party members' meeting, Acting Leader Kwon stated, "As the presidential impeachment motion has passed the plenary session of the National Assembly and is pending at the Constitutional Court, the National Assembly has now become the accuser." He argued, "In this situation, appointing constitutional court justices who are the subjects of the impeachment motion undermines legal fairness." He referred to a case where, during President Yoon's tenure as Prosecutor General, the Minister of Justice appointed disciplinary committee members to fill vacancies, which was ruled a procedural violation, saying, "If the National Assembly, which resolved the impeachment motion, recommends constitutional court justices, it violates the constitutional principles of a fair trial and due process." He added, "Whether or not to impeach the president is a matter of national importance, and constitutional spirit and procedural completeness should take precedence over partisan interests."