People Power Party Seoul City Council Member Files Complaint Against MBC Over 'Yoon Vulgar Language Controversy' Report

"Defamation by Spreading False Information and Obstruction of Business by Deception Charges"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Gyumin] MBC, which reported on the 'vulgar language controversy' that arose during President Yoon Seok-yeol's overseas trip, has been reported to the police.

On the 26th at 9 a.m., Lee Jong-bae, a Seoul city council member of the People Power Party, held a press conference in front of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency and stated, "We have filed a complaint against MBC President Park Seong-je, the editor, and the reporter involved for defamation by spreading false information and obstruction of business by deception as co-conspirators regarding President Yoon Seok-yeol's remarks."

Lee said, "In the video uploaded on the YouTube channel MBC NEWS on the 22nd, the subtitle read, 'What if these XX in the National Assembly don't approve it? What will Biden do if he loses face?' and it was the first report. Through explanations from Kim Eun-hye, Chief Secretary for Public Relations, and Park Jin, Minister of Foreign Affairs, this report is not true," he claimed.

He added, "Considering that the U.S. legislature is called 'Congress,' not 'National Assembly,' and there is absolutely no reason to criticize the United States, the report can only be seen as false," explaining the reason for the complaint.

Furthermore, Lee viewed that President Yoon's overseas trip duties were obstructed by deception due to MBC's report. He said, "Regarding President Yoon's remarks during the trip for national interest, adding specific subtitles without fact-checking to induce a certain perception and reporting it definitively clearly shows intent to defame and obstruct business."

On the 22nd, MBC reported a video showing President Yoon speaking to his aides as he left the venue after attending the 7th replenishment conference of the Global Fund hosted by U.S. President Joe Biden in New York, USA.

Regarding the report, Chief Secretary Kim explained, "President Yoon said at the time, '(The) National Assembly (of Korea) doesn't approve and lets it fail,' and there was no mention of the U.S., nor any reason to say 'Biden'." Minister Park also said the next day, "Common sense tells us the President would have no reason to criticize the U.S.," and added, "He responded with the intention of explaining the content well to the National Assembly so that the budget would pass."

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