Kim Tae-nyeon Criticizes Media for "2300% Increase in COVID-19 Deaths? Typical Fearmongering"

Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 22nd and delivering a speech. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, strongly criticized a media outlet's coverage of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), saying it exaggerated statistics and was a "typical scare-mongering behavior."

On the morning of the 22nd at a floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly, Kim referred to a newspaper article comparing COVID-19 related indicators by country from November 13 to yesterday (December 21), saying, "According to this, South Korea is shown as the worst COVID-19 country in the world with a 2300% surge in new deaths and a 38% increase in new cases."

He continued, "Analyzing why such absurd and strange statistics were created, on November 13, South Korea had 1 death, and on December 21, 24 deaths. Since deaths increased by 23 during that period, it claims the death rate increased by 2300%," and questioned, "Is this even statistics?"

He added, "I don't understand if the media's purpose is to ridicule K-quarantine, stigmatize the government's quarantine failure, and shake the trust of the government and the people," calling it a "typical scare-mongering behavior."

The Democratic Party has recently been criticizing the media daily as new COVID-19 cases surge and there are repeated criticisms that vaccine procurement was delayed compared to other countries.

Kim also pointed out the day before, "An article titled 'Japan as early as March, South Korea at best February to March' regarding the timing of vaccine administration was reported," adding, "At first glance, it looks like an article from Japan's far-right media hostile to South Korea, but it is actually from our own media."

Shin Dong-geun, a Supreme Council member, also said at the same meeting, "The attitude of the opposition party and conservative media towards COVID-19 is very disappointing," and added, "It seems they are desperate to tarnish K-quarantine."

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