"Media Sanctions as a 'Muzzle' Must End with Yoon's Impeachment"
The government has decided to withdraw its appeals regarding five sanctions imposed by the Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC) against media outlets during the Yoon Suk-yeol administration.
Justice Minister nominee Sung Ho Jung is attending the full meeting of the Planning and Finance Committee held at the National Assembly on July 9, 2025, while making a phone call. Photo by Hyunmin Kim
According to the legal community on the 13th, Minister of Justice Jeong Sung-ho wrote on Facebook the previous day, "I have issued a directive to collectively withdraw appeals in five cases related to the first trial lawsuits filed by media outlets that received unfair sanctions, as these sanctions were deemed excessive and without legal basis."
The five cases for which Minister Jeong has withdrawn appeals are as follows: ▲ A warning issued to 'CBS Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' regarding commentary on allegations of First Lady Kim Keon-hee receiving a luxury bag; ▲ A warning issued to 'Kim Hye-young's News Gonggam' on Catholic Peace Broadcasting CPBC regarding commentary on the special law for the Itaewon disaster; ▲ A disciplinary request against staff of 'MBC Shin Jang-sik's News High Kick' for commentary on the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation case; ▲ A warning issued to 'MBC Kim Jong-bae's Focus' regarding an interview with former Supreme Prosecutors' Office Inspection Director Han Dong-soo; and ▲ A fine imposed on 'JTBC Newsroom' regarding the Kim Man-bae-Shin Hak-rim transcript case.
Minister Jeong asserted, "The Yoon Suk-yeol administration gagged the press, especially those outlets that reported unfavorably about themselves or the presidential couple," and added, "To cover the eyes and ears of the public, the KCSC was used as a front to indiscriminately impose unfair sanctions on the media."
He continued, "The reckless 'muzzle' style media sanctions by those in power to cover up the truth must come to an end with the impeachment of the previous administration," and added, "From now on, I will calmly correct each wrongdoing of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, which abused its power."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
