Kim Nam-guk "Kim Eo-jun's Removal? Tried to Uncover Oh's Lies, Felt Uncomfortable and Hurt"

Kim Nam-guk, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, questioning at the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Soyoung] Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Namguk claimed that the public call for the removal of broadcaster Kim Eo-jun, host of TBS Radio's 'News Factory,' is due to Kim's focused coverage of Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon's speculation on land speculation in Naegok-dong.

On the 13th, Kim appeared on YTN Radio's 'Hwang Boseon's Start of a New Morning' and emphasized, "(Kim Eo-jun) made efforts to uncover Mayor Oh Se-hoon's lies, which made some people uncomfortable and hurt."

He added, "Major media outlets and comprehensive programming broadcasters generally did not cover interviews related to the ecological soup (saengtaetang) controversy, but 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory' focused intensively on the Naegok-dong land speculation and Mayor Oh's alleged lies."

He continued, "When freedom of the press is guaranteed, the media can healthily criticize various political circles and powers. If Mayor Oh tries to intervene using his budget allocation authority or if those in power apply pressure or force, the media will ultimately be destroyed," he pointed out.

Kim also expressed, "I think it is dangerous for political powers to demand the removal of media outlets that voice somewhat critical opinions of them or to say that news or reports should not be aired."

Addressing Mayor Oh, he said, "As a legal expert, I believe the mayor will focus on city administration and protect the freedom and independence of the press regarding TBS and Kim Eo-jun's broadcasts. If there are any issues, the Korea Communications Commission can sufficiently regulate them through review, so it is desirable to let an independent organization handle this."

Meanwhile, the petition for Kim Eo-jun's removal, posted on the 9th, has currently received 250,000 signatures.

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