Reporter Association: "MBC's Remarks on Advertising Suppression Feel Like 1970s Military Dictatorship"

People Power Party Kim Sang-hoon Emergency Committee Member

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] The Korea Journalists Association stated on the 17th, "Withdraw the remarks about advertising suppression against MBC immediately."

The association referred to the remarks made by Kim Sang-hoon, a member of the ruling party's Emergency Response Committee, during the committee meeting that day, pointing out that "he publicly demanded 'advertising suppression' against MBC, which is in conflict with the current government."

They continued, "During the Park Chung-hee military dictatorship in 1974, Dong-A Ilbo and Dong-A Broadcasting were unable to run corporate advertisements due to government pressure, and it feels as if the clock of history has turned back 48 years," emphasizing that "the government's advertising suppression against Dong-A Ilbo later received harsh judgment from history."

Furthermore, they argued, "This incident is not just about advertising suppression against MBC," adding, "It is essentially a signal that no media outlet will be spared if it falls out of favor with the regime."

The association urged, "The Yoon Suk-yeol administration and the People Power Party must now reflect on the lessons of history and immediately stop any attempts or actions that infringe on press freedom," emphasizing that "there is an intention to seize control starting with the public broadcaster MBC by framing it with unfair reporting."

They also called for Kim Sang-hoon, the People Power Party Emergency Response Committee member who made the remarks, to apologize and resign from his position.

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