"Reporter in front of apartment entrance..." Choo Mi-ae targets 'staking out' coverage following Cho Kuk

Choo "Even the apartment entrance was invaded... Residents are also inconvenienced"
Kim Geun-sik "For a minister with a political background, reporters are a fate"

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae appeared at the National Assembly Judiciary Committee's audit of the Ministry of Justice and other agencies on the 12th, responding to questions from lawmakers. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Following former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae on the 15th criticized the media's excessive reporting behavior and revealed a photo of a reporter who was so-called "beotchigi" in front of her house.

Some argued that "for a politician-turned-minister, reporters are a fate," and pointed out that it is inappropriate to disclose photos of reporters on SNS.

Minister Choo opened her post on Facebook that day by saying, "This morning, a reporter from a media outlet appeared in front of the apartment entrance holding a camera."

She said, "About a month ago, the Ministry of Justice spokesperson sent an official letter to each media outlet requesting cooperation to restrict filming in front of the apartment as it is a private area," adding, "However, the reporter said he did not know about that and insisted on continuing 'beotchigi.' Since it interferes with my commute, I will stay at home and work until this situation ends." 'Beotchigi' is a media industry slang meaning that a reporter waits unconditionally for the subject of coverage.

Minister Choo also pointed out, "Over the past nine months, the media has taken full-body photos of me anywhere," and "even the private space in front of the apartment entrance was invaded."

She continued, "They asked inconsistent questions as if dealing with a vicious criminal," and "The apartment residents who witnessed this scene are also very uncomfortable," she sharply criticized.

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae is leaving the Ministry of Justice at the Government Complex Gwacheon in Gyeonggi-do around lunchtime on the 14th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Some criticized that while Minister Choo claims "protection of privacy," it is inappropriate behavior to disclose the reporter's face.

Professor Kim Geun-sik of Gyeongnam National University, chairman of the People Power Party's Songpa-byeong district in Seoul, criticized on his Facebook that day, "Minister Choo, you really have a temper. I know well your stubbornness when you were the chairman of the Environment and Labor Committee, but this is a different case."

He said, "For a politician-turned-minister, reporters are like fate. You served as party leader, and now you refuse to go to work because of media exposure," adding, "Is this a declaration to return as a private citizen rather than a politician? Are you planning to retire from politics?"

He continued, "Cho Kuk was also uncomfortable with reporters waiting in front of his house but did not refuse to go to work," and pointed out, "Claiming 'protection of the minister's privacy' while openly disclosing reporters' faces is a contradictory act that can only be explained as venting."

He said, "Protection of privacy and freedom of the press must go hand in hand. In my opinion, photos of ministers on their way to work can be allowed," adding, "Reporters waiting in front of the house due to political issues is common, as seen in the case of Governor Lee Jae-myung of Gyeonggi Province."

Finally, Professor Kim urged Minister Choo, "Please calm down," and emphasized, "If you are confident and dignified, show a more generous and tolerant attitude."

Photo by Jo Guk, former Minister of Justice, Facebook capture.

Minister Choo is not the first to express dissatisfaction with reporters' "beotchigi" coverage. Former Minister Cho Kuk also criticized the media's excessive reporting behavior during the so-called "Cho Kuk incident," saying, "We need to consider the limits of press freedom."

In August, he posted on his Facebook titled "A question to journalists," saying, "Reporters, is there no limit to freedom of coverage? Does such coverage behavior fall under freedom of the press? Should the daughter of a public figure under criminal suspicion endure all this? If so, on what grounds?"

He also released a video of reporters attempting to cover by ringing the doorbell at his daughter's house. The video showed two male reporters pressing the doorbell.

Former Minister Cho explained, "Besides these two reporters, several male reporters repeatedly passed through the security door of the officetel where my daughter lives day and night, rang the doorbell, knocked on the door, and caused a commotion asking to open the door," adding, "Each time, my daughter could not leave the house for hours."

He further posted, "In the second half of last year, many reporters conducted 'beotchigi' coverage near my house from dawn to late at night, which was truly painful, but I endured it thinking it was something to bear as a 'public figure,'" and questioned, "(Now) is posting photos of the family meal of a person who has left public office also for the public's right to know? Is all this 'freedom of coverage' guaranteed by the Constitution and an expression of commendable 'journalistic spirit'?"

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