When asked if Kim Eo-jun's 'support for Lee Jae-myung' was appropriate, TBS CEO said, "CNN also openly supports during election season"

"It Could Be a Statement Expressing Human Compassion for Lee Jae-myung"

Broadcaster Kim Eo-jun. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Ju-hee] Lee Kang-taek, CEO of TBS, defended Kim Eo-jun, the host of TBS Radio's 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory,' regarding his remarks supporting Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, on the 2nd, saying, "The New York Times and CNN openly declare 'who they support' during election seasons."

On the same day, during the administrative audit by the Seoul Metropolitan Council's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, when Democratic Party city council member Kyung Man-seon asked whether Kim's remarks were appropriate, Lee said, "It is better to openly reveal one's political inclination. In reality, everyone supports someone but not publicly announcing it might actually be more problematic," expressing this view.

He added, "There is some controversy over Kim's specific candidate support remarks," and said, "First, can remarks made in a private sphere be considered public support? There is an argument that it is acceptable in the private sphere."

He continued, "Kim has never supported a specific candidate on TBS broadcasts," and explained, "Even if it is considered a support remark, American media such as CNN and the New York Times openly express support during election seasons." He also said, "There is a perspective that Kim's remarks can be seen as expressing human sympathy for the candidate." This is an argument that Kim's remarks were not inappropriate compared to overseas cases.

Earlier, on the 24th of last month, Kim appeared on the YouTube channel 'Ddanji Broadcasting Station' and appealed for support, saying, "(Candidate Lee) became a presidential candidate by his own ability," and "Now you have to help him."

He further declared his support, saying, "The path of someone who breaks through by their own ability is difficult and lonely but exists. However, it is extremely rare and precious for someone to become a presidential candidate by that path. Therefore, Lee Jae-myung deserves to be the platform of our society."

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