Ahn Cheolsoo Criticizes Inclusion of Kim Eojun's Channel in Presidential Office Press Corps: "Are They Empowering Pro-Lee Jaemyung YouTubers to Control Reporters?"

Criticism of Presidential Office's Explanation: "Treating the Public as Fools"
"Conservative Current Affairs YouTube Channels Should Also Be Granted Access"

Representative Ahn Cheolsoo of the People Power Party criticized the presidential office for including pro-government YouTube media in the presidential press corps, saying, "Are they planning to empower pro-Lee Jaemyung YouTubers to keep the presidential press corps in check?" On the 24th, Representative Ahn wrote on his social networking service (SNS), "There have been reports that journalists from pro-Lee Jaemyung YouTube channels such as 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory,' 'Lee Sangho's Gobal News,' and 'Jang Yunseon's Chwijepyeonuijeom' will be joining the presidential press corps."

Ahn Cheolsu, Member of the People Power Party. Ahn Cheolsu Facebook

Regarding this, Representative Ahn stated, "Pro-Lee Jaemyung mouthpieces who constantly praise President Lee Jaemyung, judge the purity of Democratic Party lawmakers, and even sell goods from time to time, will now be active in the presidential press room," adding, "On pro-Democratic Party YouTube channels, videos of several presidential office reporters have already been edited into shorts to mock and spread distorted content." He further pointed out, "The presidential office said, 'We considered scale and history, not political orientation,' but this is an explanation that treats the public and the media as fools."

He continued, "If we are to respond to the intensity and scale of President Lee's praise on these three channels, conservative current affairs YouTubers such as 'Shinui Hansu,' 'Goseongguk TV,' and 'PenN Mike' should also be allowed access." Representative Ahn added, "The media refers to presidential office reporters as 'No. 1 reporters,' but this administration treats No. 1 reporters as those who should be dealt with first," and asserted, "I guarantee that their arrogance will not last long."

Previously, the presidential office announced through the press corps secretary on the morning of the previous day that three media outlets?'News Factory,' 'Gobal News,' and 'Chwijepyeonuijeom'?had been registered as regular members of the presidential press corps. In addition, three journalists from these outlets were included in the group chat where the press corps is notified in advance of the president's schedule and messages.