[Comprehensive] "Media Suppression Remarks" vs "Act Like a Traffic Broadcast" - 'News Factory' Becomes a By-election Issue

TBS 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory' Controversy
Candidate Park Young-sun: "Broadcast Support Suspension Decided by Seoul City Council Ordinance"
Candidate Oh Se-hoon: "TBS Must Operate According to Its Founding Purpose"

On the 28th, ten days before the Seoul mayoral by-election, Park Young-sun, the Democratic Party candidate for Seoul mayor (left), and Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party candidate, are greeting voters during focused campaigns held at the Seocho District Express Bus Terminal and the Gangnam District COEX East Gate Plaza, respectively. / Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] As the official campaign for the April 7 Seoul mayoral by-election has begun, fierce disputes between the ruling and opposition parties are intensifying over the TBS current affairs program 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory' (News Factory). Earlier, Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party's candidate for Seoul mayor, pointed out the program's bias and hinted at stopping budget support for TBS, which led Park Young-sun, the Democratic Party candidate, to immediately push back.

In an interview with a media outlet last month, Oh mentioned the possibility of halting budget support for TBS. At that time, he said, "If I become mayor, I will correct what needs to be corrected," adding that "it could take the form of not providing budget support (to TBS)."

Regarding this statement, Oh explained at a National Assembly press conference on the 23rd, "It was an expression that came out while pointing out the bias of that program (News Factory)," and clarified, "I did not use the word 'will' but rather warned that it 'could happen.'"

Meanwhile, on the 28th, in an interview with Yonhap News Agency, when asked, "If Oh Se-hoon is elected, will people no longer be able to listen to News Factory?" he responded, "It's fine if Kim Eo-jun continues to run (News Factory)," but added, "However, they should provide traffic information."

Oh explained on the same day, "The purpose of establishing TBS is to provide traffic and lifestyle information," and added, "During my tenure, there was no current affairs program like 'News Factory.' It was created by former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon."

He emphasized, "Now, TBS should be operated according to its original purpose."

Broadcaster Kim Eo-jun, who hosts TBS's 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory.' / Photo by TBS

The ruling party immediately pushed back against Oh's claims. They pointed out that deciding whether to support TBS's budget is not within the mayor's authority and that such actions could be interpreted as restricting freedom of the press.

Park Young-sun, the Democratic Party candidate, appeared on TBS's 'News Factory' on the 25th and said, "The issue of stopping TBS broadcast support is not something the mayor can do," adding, "The issue of stopping TBS support requires amending ordinances in the Seoul Metropolitan Council. (Oh) is still a candidate who cannot distinguish between what the mayor can and cannot do," strongly criticizing him.

In an interview with YTN on the 27th, Park also pointed out Oh, saying, "Making statements that oppress a media outlet (TBS) like this is a very backward-looking thought."

She continued, "Oh was effectively ousted by Seoul citizens 10 years ago over the issue of free school meals for children. His outdated values have not changed even now," and added, "Oh is a failed mayor due to his old-fashioned thinking."

Within the ruling party, voices have emerged urging support for Park to protect TBS's 'News Factory.'

Democratic Party lawmaker Song Young-gil recently wrote on his Facebook, "News Factory could disappear. The highest-rated broadcast in history could vanish."

He added, "Are you afraid of a morning without Kim Eo-jun? The power to overcome this fear is our vote," emphasizing, "Only Park Young-sun."

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