Yoon Young-chan on 'News Control' Controversy, Jin Joong-kwon Says "Moon Regime Trying to Fight Artificial Intelligence"

Joo Ho-young Article Appears on Main, "Tell Kakao to Join"
Yoon Young-chan, "It Didn't Appear on Lee Nak-yeon's Speech Main, Asked to Check"

Jin Joong-kwon, former professor at Dongyang University / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] As it became known that Yoon Young-chan, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, gave instructions to "strongly protest" regarding the article about Joo Ho-young, the floor leader of the People Power Party, delivering the negotiation group representative speech appearing on the main page of the portal site 'Daum,' a controversy over 'portal site external pressure' has erupted. Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon sarcastically criticized this, saying, "It seems the Moon Jae-in administration is now trying to fight against artificial intelligence (AI)."

On the 8th, Professor Jin wrote on his Facebook, "Korea is indeed a digital powerhouse. The movie 'The Matrix' is becoming a reality," and "I absolutely support calling AI to the National Assembly. It will be an opportunity to observe the pathetic level of questioning by Democratic Party lawmakers."

He continued, "The Democratic Party should definitely adopt AI as a witness," adding, "It will be the world's first case to recognize personality in a machine, which will also help promote national prestige."

This criticism stemmed from a photo captured that day showing Yoon’s cellphone messages. According to the photo, Yoon’s office aides sent a Telegram message to Yoon, who was attending the plenary session of the National Assembly that afternoon, with a screenshot of the portal site showing the article about Floor Leader Joo’s speech posted, saying, "Joo Ho-young’s speech is immediately reflected on the main page."

In response, Yoon replied with messages such as "Strongly protest to Kakao," "Kakao is too much," and "Tell them to come in."

The opposition party strongly criticized this, calling Yoon’s instructions "media control."

Yoon Young-chan, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the full meeting of the Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 8th, asking questions to Choi Ki-young, Minister of Science and ICT. / Photo by Yonhap News

On the same day, Bae Hyunjin, the floor spokesperson for the People Power Party, issued a statement in the afternoon, saying, "When the article about Floor Leader Joo was reflected on the main page of a portal site, a ruling party Democratic Party lawmaker was seen on camera ordering the portal company’s official to be summoned to the lawmaker’s office. This is shocking and very regrettable. News control, it was real," she criticized.

She added, "Have you been trying to control public opinion through portals all along? Did the Blue House do the same?" and urged, "The Democratic Party must explain immediately."

Amid the growing controversy, Yoon expressed, "I deeply regret it," but also countered, "I believe I have the freedom to sufficiently convey my opinions."

At the full meeting of the Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Committee held at the National Assembly that afternoon, Yoon said, "I deeply regret that (People Power Party) lawmakers are dragging this issue into a political matter," and explained, "Yesterday, while watching Representative Lee Nak-yeon’s speech, I monitored Kakao’s main page, but the article did not appear there. However, today, when Floor Leader Joo Ho-young gave his speech, the full text was posted on the main page immediately after the speech."

He added, "Regarding the same issue, since the ruling and opposition leaders’ speeches were already scheduled, I thought we should find out why there is such a difference," and "So I asked to look into it."

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