JTBC and YTN Unions Express Regret, Saying "Ashamed" Over Former Reporter and Anchor Who Joined Lee Jae-myung's Camp Directly

Democratic Party Recruits Former JTBC Reporter Lee Jeongheon and Former YTN Anchor An Gwiryung

Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea (center), is taking a commemorative photo with former JTBC reporter Lee Jeong-heon (left) and former YTN anchor Ahn Gwi-ryeong after announcing the recruitment of national talents in broadcasting and media at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 17th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] The election campaign committee of Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, has recruited former JTBC reporter Lee Jeong-heon and former YTN anchor An Gwi-ryeong. Among them, criticism is growing as it was revealed that former reporter Lee and former anchor An joined the presidential candidate's campaign just about ten days after retiring as journalists. Some have pointed out that this infringes on the political neutrality and independence of the press.

The National Talent Committee directly under candidate Lee announced on the 18th that former reporter Lee and former anchor An were recruited as spokesperson and head of the media center, and deputy head of the media center, respectively.

Former reporter Lee served as deputy chief of JTBC’s Social Affairs Department 1, deputy chief of JoongAng Ilbo’s International Department, and Tokyo correspondent, and was the main anchor of JTBC’s "News Morning&" for four years and six months, delivering live news broadcasts. Former anchor An was known as the host of YTN’s news program "Byeon Sang-wook’s Evening with News."

Former reporter Lee stated, "As a journalist, I gained viewers' and readers' trust through refined and dignified speech and writing, and I will play a role in conveying the sincerity of candidate Lee." Former anchor An also said, "As a 30-something youth who was a non-regular anchor, I will contribute to solving youth issues, improving the treatment of non-regular workers, and broadcasting reform."

Former JTBC reporter Lee Jeong-heon (left) and former YTN anchor An Gwi-ryeong. Photo provided by the Democratic Party of Korea.

However, as news of their recruitment spread, criticism poured in from the media industry. The JoongAng Ilbo-JTBC labor union and JTBC reporters’ association issued a statement titled "Politician Lee Jeong-heon, expressing regret over a shameful name," saying, "The resignation letter submitted last week has not even dried yet," and "Until just eleven days ago, he was anchoring the morning news, a position that requires utmost fairness and impartiality, and as soon as his resignation was accepted, he immediately changed his role from 'journalist' to 'politician' and headed straight to a specific candidate’s campaign."

They continued, "The trust has already collapsed as he abandoned the conscience and ethics of a journalist to chase power," and "We cannot help but deplore the attitude of treating the trust built by members through blood and sweat as a 'ticket' to enter politics."

The YTN branch of the National Union of Mediaworkers also issued a statement that day, saying, "It is a betrayal of the social responsibility of broadcasting to criticize and monitor power, and an insult to colleagues who are quietly fulfilling their roles for fair broadcasting," and "The Democratic Party always complains about a 'tilted playing field' when the media criticizes them, but behind the scenes, they contacted an anchor who was delivering the news and brought them into the campaign. They should reflect on whether this is a fair and just political act."

In response to such criticism, former reporter Lee explained, "I will do my best to show that the concerns were actually excessive worries. For nearly 30 years in broadcasting, facts have always been at the center of all my words and writings. I have never distorted facts or written or broadcasted articles with biased values," and "I will work harder to ensure that the sincerity of candidate Lee and the Democratic Party is well conveyed to the public, so please watch over me." Former anchor An also said, "I have never had personal motives while preparing and delivering the news."

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