Photo by NJT. Supporters of the Democratic Party are holding pickets and protesting against the Yoon Suk Yeol administration.

Controversies Surround Yoon Suk Yeol Administration's Media Policies

By BK Park

Seoul, Korea — The Yoon Suk Yeol government has recently faced growing criticism over its approach towards media regulations, sparking concerns over freedom of the press in South Korea.

President Yoon emphasized eradicating "fake news" during a recent UN speech. While many agree that misinformation should be curbed, allegations have surfaced suggesting that Yoon's administration is using this premise to exert undue influence over the media.

A significant point of contention emerged this month long after MBC reporter Lim Hyun-joo covered a statement purportedly made by President Yoon during his U.S. visit in September 22, 2022. The president's office contested the report's veracity and consequently barred the reporter from boarding the presidential plane, leading to heated debates in South Korea.

In June 2023, as an extension of the prior incident, the police searched Lim's residence on suspicion of leaking personal data during the nomination hearing of Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon. Critics argue that the intensity of the investigation, which included seizing CCTV footage, was disproportionate and retaliatory.

Further fueling these concerns, in August 2023, YTN, a major South Korean news broadcaster, mistakenly featured a photo of Lee Dong-kwan, Chairman of the Broadcasting Commission, during a report on an unrelated violent incident. Lee responded by accusing YTN of intentional malfeasance and subsequently filed a lawsuit. The current government is keen-eyed to turn even minor mistakes into issues.

On September 21st, Chairman Lee introduced measures that would bring online news articles and videos under the purview of the broadcasting committee. Managing online media is not their jurisdiction. This move potentially empowers the committee with the authority to request deletions or block access to reported content, drawing comparisons to media controls from the authoritarian era of Chun Doo-hwan. 

Media watchdog "Media Watch," operated by Byun Hee-jae, has been especially vocal in criticizing the Yoon administration. Byun, who played a key role in the exposure of the "Choi Soon-sil Tablet PC" incident, asserts that the evidence was manipulated by, among others, Yoon Suk Yeol and Han Dong-hoon, the current Minister of Justice. The tablet PCs were some decisive evidence in the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye. Despite the challenges faced, Byun has continued to reveal his findings through international outlets. 

Dissent has even been evident within Yoon's own party. Former party members Lee Un-joo and Kim Yong-tae, have publicly expressed their concerns about the direction of the administration's media policies. 

Moreover, former head of the ruling party, Lee Jun-seok remarked on a YouTube broadcast that President Yoon appears to maintain a somewhat authoritarian perspective.

As South Korea navigates these events, the balance between curbing misinformation and preserving media freedom remains contentious.