Mayor Kwon Young-jin Furious Over Broadcaster's "Kkobbaegi" Criticism After 12 Days... Also Loses Civil Lawsuit

Defamation Allegation: Correction Lawsuit Filed Against Daegu MBC... Prosecutors 'No Charges' Despite Criminal Complaint Against Reporter

Daegu Mayor Kwon Young-jin delivering a greeting at the People Power Party and Daegu City Budget Policy Council held at Daegu City Hall on the morning of November 2. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Dong-wook] Daegu City lost a defamation lawsuit filed against a local broadcasting station that heavily criticized Mayor Kwon Young-jin.

The Daegu District Court Civil Division 11 (Presiding Judge Joo Kyung-tae) dismissed the civil lawsuit filed by Daegu City against Daegu Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) on the 3rd, which requested a correction report.

Daegu City filed the complaint on June 8, claiming that Daegu MBC damaged the reputation of Mayor Kwon Young-jin in its coverage related to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

Daegu MBC radio news anchor reporter Lee raised doubts about Mayor Kwon's COVID-19 response ability in six anchor comments between March and April, saying, "Mayor Kwon Young-jin, who showed up after 12 days, and the delayed response make one nod in agreement with the claim that only Daegu was plagued by the epidemic."

Earlier, the Daegu District Prosecutors' Office dismissed the defamation and insult charges filed by Mayor Kwon against reporter Lee on the 11th of last month.

When Mayor Kwon sued Daegu MBC and the reporter, local civic groups criticized him, saying, "The lawsuit against the Daegu MBC news anchor is a gag lawsuit and a retrogressive idea to block follow-up coverage of Daegu City's administration."

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