"Error... Negligence in Supervision" Chosun Ilbo Replaces Image of Cho Kuk and Daughter in Article on Prostitution

Mixed-Gender Theft Gang Lures Victims Through Prostitution to Steal Money
"Sincerely Apologize to Mr. Jo Guk and His Family and Our Readers"

An article related to prostitution published by a certain media outlet included an illustration reminiscent of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk and his daughter. / Photo by Facebook

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] The Chosun Ilbo acknowledged its negligence in management and apologized for using an illustration depicting former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk and his daughter Cho Min in an article about a mixed-gender theft gang that lured victims through prostitution to steal valuables.

On the 23rd, Chosun Ilbo stated, "Chosun.com used an illustration featuring one woman and three men in the article titled 'Three-person gang luring through prostitution to steal wallets' published at 5 a.m. on the 21st. However, after hearing that the illustration reminded readers of Mr. Cho Kuk and Ms. Cho Min, it was replaced with a different illustration two and a half hours later."

They added, "The reporter in charge selected the illustration showing one woman and three men from the list without knowing the content of Professor Seo Min’s contribution and mistakenly published it. There was also negligence in supervision. We sincerely apologize to the Cho family and our readers."

Previously, the illustration accompanying the article published on the 21st showed a woman wearing a black hat pulled down, holding a cellphone to her ear. This image resembled the appearance of Cho Min, the daughter of former Minister Cho, as captured by the media in the past.

Additionally, the back view of a man in a suit standing in the center of the illustration was pointed out to be similar to an image used in Cho’s recently published book, "Cho Kuk’s Time." The illustration has since been replaced with a different image.

In response, former Minister Cho posted on his Facebook on the 23rd, "They turned my daughter’s photo into a drawing and posted it in an article about prostitution. Is the person who posted this even human?"

He continued, "The man with a backpack shown from behind in the drawing looks like my back. Why was this published?" He demanded, "Please reveal who posted the problematic illustration before it was replaced. Was it a single person such as a reporter, the reporting department, team leader, company illustrator, or the editor responsible? Or was it a conspiracy involving multiple people?"

Netizens also criticized the incident through social media and online communities, saying it was "excessive." On the same day, a petition titled "Please shut down the Chosun Ilbo" was posted on the Blue House’s public petition board.

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