Jeong Cheongrae on Radio: "I Almost Walked Out"... What Happened?

Upset by the Question on Prosecution Reform
"I Felt the Need for Rapid Broadcasting and Media Reform"

Jeong Cheongrae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is holding a press conference announcing his candidacy for party leader at the National Assembly Communication Office in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 15th of last month. Photo by Yonhap News

Jeong Cheongrae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated during a radio broadcast that there was almost a broadcasting accident. He made this comment after feeling that a question from the host regarding prosecution reform was unfair.

On July 1, Jeong Cheongrae wrote on his Facebook page, "There was almost a broadcasting accident while I was appearing live on KBS radio." This happened when, during the process of answering a question about prosecution reform, the host asked, "You previously declared that people would hear news of the abolition of the prosecution service when they return to their hometowns for Chuseok, but if you become party leader in August, isn't that a bit of an empty promise?"

Jeong Cheongrae said, "For a moment, I wanted to walk out, but I finished the interview pretending not to be angry," and added, "It made me think that fair broadcasting reform and media reform need to happen quickly."

Jeong Cheongrae also explained the process of prosecution reform on the radio. He stated that there had already been many rounds of discussion within the Democratic Party, and that the reform plan was not something new from just one or two years ago. Therefore, he said he would ensure that people would hear news on the radio about the abolition of the prosecution service when they travel home for Chuseok.

He further stated, "If I become party leader, I will immediately announce who will head the prosecution reform task force, and together with that person, I will form the team members." He added, "After going through a process of adjusting the existing proposals, we will hold forums and meetings, and gather opinions from the presidential office and the Ministry of Justice."