Yoon: "Excluding MBC Exclusive Plane, Unavoidable Measure to Uphold Constitution... Media Responsibility is Important"

"Media, the Fourth Pillar Supporting Democracy Alongside Legislature, Judiciary, and Executive"
Yoon Seems Aware of MBC Constitutional Petition
Regarding Meeting a Specific Reporter at Jeonyonggi, "A Personal Matter... Not a Response to Coverage"
Argument Between Reporters and Presidential Office Staff After Doorstepping

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] President Yoon Suk-yeol on the 18th, during his Southeast Asia tour, addressed the exclusion of a Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) reporter from boarding the presidential aircraft, stating, "The exclusion from boarding the presidential aircraft was an unavoidable measure taken by the president as part of his constitutional duty to protect the nation, due to malicious behavior attempting to sow discord in alliance relations?core pillars of national security?through false news that does not reflect the facts."

During a door-stepping (brief press conference) at the Yongsan Presidential Office that morning, when a reporter asked, "Although there were significant achievements during the tour, there was also controversy over the exclusion of a specific media outlet from boarding the presidential aircraft. What is your stance on the criticism of selective media treatment?" President Yoon responded, "I hope you freely criticize. I always accept criticism from the media and the public and keep an open mind," expressing this view.

President Yoon continued, "The media, along with the legislative, judicial, and executive branches, is one of the four pillars supporting democracy," and referred to MBC's report as 'fabrication,' saying, "For example, if the judiciary fabricated evidence that was not factual to make a ruling, you would not say, 'The judiciary is an independent institution, so you should not raise issues,' would you?"

"Freedom of the press is important, but responsibility as a pillar supporting democracy is also crucial," he added. "Moreover, when it concerns ensuring the safety of the people, its importance cannot be overstated."

President Yoon's remarks that day were interpreted as a response to MBC's constitutional complaint. On the 11th, MBC issued an official statement saying, "The measure to refuse boarding to a specific media outlet on the presidential aircraft infringes upon the constitutional right of freedom of the press," and announced, "We have decided to pursue legal remedies, including a constitutional complaint."

Regarding summoning reporters from specific media outlets for a meeting inside the presidential aircraft, he described it as a "personal matter" and said, "It was not in response to reporting." On the 13th, after concluding the ASEAN summit schedule in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, President Yoon summoned only CBS and Channel A reporters for a meeting aboard the presidential aircraft en route to Bali, Indonesia, where the G20 summit was held.

When an MBC reporter asked again in response to President Yoon's remarks, "What exactly did MBC do maliciously? What is malicious?" the president did not answer and proceeded to his office. Subsequently, Lee Ki-jung, the Public Relations Planning Secretary present at the scene, criticized, "How can you ask questions behind someone who is leaving?" The reporter retorted, "Can't reporters ask questions? Don't interfere with reporters' door-stepping." The secretary and the reporter engaged in a verbal dispute for about two minutes.

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