SBS 'Unanswered Questions' Apologizes After 8 Years for Alleging President Lee's Gang Ties: "No Evidence"

Regarding the July 21, 2018 Broadcast

"Not True According to Judicial Rulings"

The production team of SBS's 'Unanswered Questions' (hereafter 'Unanswered Questions') has issued an official apology after eight years for having raised suspicions in the past about President Lee Jaemyung's alleged involvement with a criminal organization in Seongnam. On March 20, the production team released a statement saying, "We apologize for raising suspicions without definite evidence."

The broadcast in question aired on July 21, 2018, under the title "Power and Gangsters - One Year After the Pattaya Murder Case." 'Unanswered Questions' mentioned that Lee Jaemyung, then Governor of Gyeonggi Province, was listed as a defense attorney for two members of the Seongnam International Mafia in 2007, thereby raising suspicions about connections between political figures in Seongnam and criminal organizations.

SBS 'Unanswered Questions'. SBS

The production team explained, "After the broadcast, the Bundang Police Station in Seongnam, Gyeonggi, launched an investigation and, in November 2018, forwarded the case to the prosecution with a recommendation of non-indictment regarding the allegations. The Seongnam Branch of the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office also issued a non-indictment decision in December of that year." The team further added, "The Supreme Court, ahead of the 2021 presidential election, confirmed on March 12 a sentence of one year in prison with a two-year suspension for attorney Jang Youngha, who had claimed that candidate Lee had received money from the Seongnam International Mafia, for violating the Public Official Election Act by making false statements."

The production team stated, "Based on these judicial rulings, the suspicions of connections between then-Governor Lee Jaemyung and the Seongnam International Mafia have been legally confirmed to be unfounded." They further promised, "Moving forward, 'Unanswered Questions' will strictly adhere to the 'SBS Journalism Code,' which was established and enacted by SBS in 2024, to ensure accurate and objective broadcasts and to prevent recurrence of such incidents."

This apology came after President Lee posted on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) earlier the same day. Previously, President Lee wrote in his post, "I am curious whether 'Unanswered Questions,' which created the suspicions of Lee Jaemyung's links to organized crime, will report further on this matter, and if so, what the content will be. It may be wishful thinking, but I would like to hear a sincere apology." The Blue House also requested follow-up reports from media outlets that had covered the issue the previous day based on the Supreme Court ruling.

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