Geum Tae-seop "Kim Eo-jun, The Harm Is Too Great" vs Woo Sang-ho "General Programming Channels Are More Biased"

Geum Tae-seop "Broadcast Stations Receiving Seoul City Financial Support Occupy Airwaves"
"Will Ask Citizens' Opinions in Seoul Mayoral Election"
Woo Sang-ho "Kim Eo-jun, Broadcaster Based on Facts"
"Urge Kim Eo-jun to Lead Major Discourse, Not Take Out Frustrations"

Geum Tae-seop, former member of the Democratic Party of Korea / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Geum Tae-seop, former Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker who declared his candidacy for the Seoul mayoral by-election next year, stated on TBS Radio's 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory' that it "causes tremendous harm" and vowed to rectify this issue if he becomes the mayor of Seoul. In response, Democratic Party lawmaker Woo Sang-ho immediately criticized him.

On the 31st, Geum mentioned TBS 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory' in a post on his Facebook, pointing out, "This is not simply a matter of objectivity or neutrality. The bias is extreme and manifests in various ways, causing great harm."

He continued, "The reality of the current ruling party is that if you are favored by him, you rise; if you are disliked, you perish," and criticized, "Kim's criteria for attack and judgment is only one: whether it benefits or harms the political forces he supports."

Geum cited the so-called 'Me Too movement conspiracy theory' as an example of Kim Eo-jun's biased remarks on the broadcast. Geum pointed out, "He caused pain to victims by raising conspiracy theories about the Me Too movement, which victims of sexual violence bravely stepped forward to initiate, from the beginning."

Previously, in 2018 on 'Kim Eo-jun's Das Bweida,' Kim said, "This (Me Too movement) should be seen as a product of a conspiracy mindset. Someone will appear in the future, and the target will be the Moon Jae-in government, the Blue House, and the fundamental support base," which sparked controversy. At that time, Geum criticized Kim, saying, "Are you saying progressive figures should defend or hide sexual violence crimes even if committed?"

Geum stated, "While Kim is free to make personal claims, he occupies public airwaves as a broadcaster receiving financial support from the Seoul city government," and added, "I will ask the citizens' will in the Seoul mayoral election." This is interpreted as his intention to actively seek solutions to the biased broadcasting issue if elected mayor of Seoul.

Woo Sang-ho, Member of the Democratic Party of Korea / Photo by Yonhap News

However, on the same day, lawmaker Woo criticized on Facebook, "It is baffling and disappointing that the goal of someone aiming to be Seoul mayor is not how to change citizens' lives but merely to expel Kim Eo-jun."

He continued, "I hoped Geum would not run for mayor after leaving the Democratic Party, but I ended up seeing him get betrayed by candidate Ahn Cheol-soo and vent his frustration on Kim Eo-jun," and added, "I hope he leads a bigger discourse going forward."

Regarding the controversy over Kim's biased broadcasting, Woo defended, "It is already known that Kim Eo-jun's tendencies and style differ from those of typical journalists."

He added, "Kim is a broadcaster who clearly has the philosophy of revealing his tendencies but basing them on facts," emphasizing, "This is also the secret to his survival despite constant accusations and lawsuits."

He further stated, "I believe some hosts or panelists on certain cable TV channels are much more biased and prone to hearsay claims than Kim Eo-jun," and criticized, "If Geum had pointed out these issues as well, it could have been considered a more balanced argument."

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