By Eunseo Hong | September 22, 2021
The media and political authorities have historically engaged in a complex, often adversarial relationship that has shaped democratic societies. However, in March 2021, the Korean press faced an unprecedented crisis with the exposure of the “close relationship between the prosecution and the media.” This revelation has shaken public trust in journalism, with many citizens questioning whether the media can adequately monitor and critique authority, or if it has instead become complicit in unethical alliances. At the center of the controversy is Channel A reporter Lee Dong-jae, whose actions have ignited a larger debate about the direction and integrity of Korean journalism.
The Scandal Unfolds
On March 31, MBC’s News Desk reported that Channel A’s Lee Dong-jae, in collaboration with prosecutor Han Dong-hoon, used recorded transcripts to coerce Lee Chul, the imprisoned former CEO of Value Invest Korea, into exposing corruption among ruling party officials. The report’s widespread coverage triggered divided reactions. Some demanded accountability and disciplinary actions for ethical violations by Channel A, while others accused MBC of political bias, suggesting its report was influenced by ruling party figures.
Channel A issued an official apology on May 22 for breaching journalistic ethics and released a fact-finding report on May 25. Despite these efforts, the controversy only deepened. The Citizens’ Union of Democratic Media accused reporter Lee and prosecutor Han of intimidation and filed additional complaints against three other journalists implicated by Channel A’s internal investigation. Meanwhile, conservative groups accused MBC of spreading false information, claiming defamation and obstruction of business.
Justice Ministry Intervention
The scandal escalated when Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae demanded an investigation into the relationship between Channel A and the prosecution. On July 2, she ordered fact-finding reports from both Channel A and MBC. Later that month, Lee Dong-jae was arrested on charges of attempted coercion.
Prosecutor Han Dong-hoon, however, denied all allegations, claiming he had no involvement in corruption investigations related to ruling party figures. On July 4, Han filed a 500-million-won lawsuit against KBS reporters for defamation after the outlet released transcripts allegedly proving collusion. These transcripts were later found to be false. Han countered that the case should not be labeled as a “collusion of prosecutors,” calling for an investigation into the relationship between the press and political power.
The continuous revelations led to heated debates over whether the case was a reflection of media-prosecution collusion or a deeper issue involving political interference. Public attention turned to the limitations of Korean journalism, which many believe is increasingly influenced by ideological divides and external pressures.
Journalism’s Role in Self-Regulation
Some critics questioned whether it was appropriate to entrust the prosecution—one of the implicated parties—with investigating the matter. In an August 11 statement, the KBS National Press Workers’ Union argued, “This issue must be resolved internally by KBS, not the prosecution.” The union emphasized that journalism’s integrity can only be preserved through self-regulation, free from external intervention by political forces.
Lessons from International Precedents
This incident, stemming from Channel A’s ethical violations, highlights critical flaws in Korean journalism. Comparisons have been drawn to the Washington Post’s handling of the Jimmy’s World scandal in 1980, where the paper admitted to false reporting and reformed its ethical standards. Unlike the Washington Post, however, Korean media outlets involved in this case have yet to issue public apologies or take transparent corrective measures.
To prevent a recurrence, Korean media must adopt internal mechanisms to safeguard journalistic ethics. Establishing independent oversight bodies within and outside media organizations, as well as actively engaging with civil media organizations, could help restore public trust.
A Call for Change
Journalism evolves through its failures, but immoral journalism erodes its very foundation. Korean media must recognize this incident as a pivotal opportunity to reevaluate its ethical standards, rebuild public trust, and reinforce its role as a pillar of democracy. By adopting robust internal reforms and fostering accountability, the press can begin to close the gaps in its integrity and fulfill its responsibility to society.