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Members and representatives of multiple press associations and unions hold a press conference outside the presidential office in Seoul on Sept. 27, where they demand that the president stop attempting to “gag the press.”

Multiple journalist associations and trade unions came together to hold an emergency joint press conference in front of the presidential office in Seoul’s Yongsan District on Tuesday, where they pointed out President Yoon Suk-yeol’s refusal to explain and apologize for alleged improper remarks he made during his trip to the US as well as his finger-pointing toward the media and demanded that he apologize to the public and stop attempting to “gag the press.”

Representatives of the Korea Video Journalist Association, the Korea Broadcasting Journalist Association, the National Union of Media Workers, the Journalists Association of Korea, the Korea Broadcasting Engineers and Technicians Association, and the Korean Producers and Directors Association were all present at the press conference.

Members and representatives of multiple press associations and unions hold a press conference outside the presidential office in Seoul on Sept. 27, where they demand that the president stop attempting to “gag the press.”

Following his return to South Korea, Yoon commented during his commute to the presidential office on Monday that “damaging [South Korea’s] alliance through false reportage is akin to deeply endangering the public” regarding the controversy surrounding his use of profanity and vulgar language, effectively putting the blame for the cause celebre on the media.

By adding that “an investigation should be made into what happened,” Yoon added fuel to the fire, hinting at political persecution of the press.

The presidential office and the ruling People Power Party added insult to injury by forewarning a full-on offensive, threatening to visit the public broadcaster in protest and bringing up the issue at the upcoming parliamentary inspection of government departments and agencies.

“Only the thorough observation and critique of power and capital and reportage without sacred grounds can rectify ‘wrongs’ and prevent ‘recurrences.’ As media workers will walk the path of true journalism, it is our hope that the president also shows his presidential side,” media organizations stated, arguing, “The only way to sort out the situation is for the president to personally offer a genuine apology to the public.”

Members and representatives of multiple press associations and unions hold a press conference outside the presidential office in Seoul on Sept. 27, where they demand that the president stop attempting to “gag the press.”

Members and representatives of multiple press associations and unions hold a press conference outside the presidential office in Seoul on Sept. 27, where they demand that the president stop attempting to “gag the press.”

Photos and article by Kim Jung-hyo, staff reporter

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