Jin Joong-kwon "MBC as a Social Weapon" vs Cho Kuk 'Sharing Yusimin's Anger Article' Channel A-Prosecutor Collusion Allegation Scandal

Jin Joong-kwon "MBC Feels Like It Has Become a Social Menace"
Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk Shares MBC Article on Yoo Si-min "The Appearance of a Monster"

Photo by MBC Newsdesk Screenshot of the broadcast on the 31st of last month

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Former Dongyang University professor Jin Jung-kwon and former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk showed opposing views regarding allegations that a Channel A reporter pressured a source to reveal corruption involving high-ranking officials by flaunting connections with the prosecution during coverage of the ShillaJen case.

On the 1st, Jin posted on his Facebook, stating, "Everyone moved in a coordinated manner," and "The target of all movements is likely Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol." This is interpreted as suggesting that the ruling party and some media outlets are pressuring Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol.

In another post, Jin criticized, "The media can adopt either a conservative or progressive tone. However, the media must remain the media. Recently, MBC seems to have become a social weapon."

He continued, "It is very disturbing to see them frequently team up with power to systematically frame issues. If they must do that, I wish they would do it technically and less conspicuously. It’s painful to watch with eyes wide open because their intentions are too transparent. How did our society fall to this level?"

On the same day, former Minister Cho shared an MBC interview article featuring Yoo Si-min, director of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation, who criticized Channel A on his Facebook.

The article’s title was "'Channel A-Prosecution Collusion Allegation' Yoo Si-min: 'I Can’t Even Imagine Such Reporting... The Appearance of a Monster'." Cho shared the article without adding any comment.

Yoo Si-min, Chairman of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation. Photo by Yonhap News.

In the report, Director Yoo stated, "Looking at the coverage, the behavior of the media is disgraceful," and described it as "the appearance of a monster and horrifying." He added, "I watched yesterday’s News Desk report, but it’s unclear whether this was carried out at the level of Channel A’s news department or company, whether the prosecution first used Channel A’s legal team, or if Channel A did this to scoop a big story. The nature of the case differs depending on which side it is."

While former professor Jin pointed out that MBC’s coverage was essentially partisan reporting, former Minister Cho shared the MBC article calling Channel A’s reporting monstrous, resulting in starkly contrasting positions on the matter.

On the 31st of last month, MBC TV’s 'News Desk' reported that a Channel A reporter, Lee, allegedly approached Lee Cheol, former major shareholder of ShillaJen and former CEO of Value Investment Korea, who is detained at Seoul Southern Detention Center, in a coercive manner, urging him to report on the misconduct of Yoo Si-min, director of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation.

Meanwhile, Channel A has formed an internal fact-finding committee to investigate the situation. On the previous day (the 1st), Channel A stated in the closing remarks of the 'News A' anchor, "We have formed an internal fact-finding committee to investigate allegations that a reporter from our company engaged in conduct violating journalistic ethics during coverage of the ShillaJen case."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.