'Reporters ask and write on behalf of the public — respectful language is the right approach'

Democratic Party of Korea leader Kim Min-seok speaks at a Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly. [Yonhap]
Democratic Party of Korea leader Kim Min-seok speaks at a Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly. [Yonhap]

Democratic Party of Korea leader Kim Min-seok on Thursday apologized on behalf of the party over Supreme Council member Choi Min-hee's remarks disparaging journalists, saying the party was sorry for what had occurred.

Kim made the remarks during an appearance on the Democratic Party's YouTube program "Minti07," responding to questions about the controversy surrounding Choi's comments belittling journalists in a private chat room.

"Aren't reporters and journalists fundamentally people who ask questions and write on behalf of the public?" Kim said. "Even when they are frustrating, they fundamentally exist on behalf of the public — it would be good for those of us in politics to keep that perspective in mind."

Kim added that even setting that aside, using respectful language was simply the right thing to do from an ordinary person's standpoint. "In that regard, the party feels a sense of apology," Kim said.

The controversy began Wednesday when Choi posted photos of press photographers and videographers in a private KakaoTalk group shared with party members, calling them a "pack of hyenas" and writing that they were "doing whatever it takes to capture some divisive footage." Screenshots of the messages were leaked publicly, prompting photo and video journalists to demand an apology, saying they had been mocked by being compared to animals.

Choi held a press conference at the National Assembly shortly afterward and bowed in apology. "I apologize to the journalists who were hurt by my inappropriate language," Choi said. "It was a private, closed group, and I was sharing a momentary feeling with people close to me."


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