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President Lee Jae-myung: 'Freedom of the Press is Not a Privilege'
President Lee Jae-myung Emphasizes Media Responsibility
On the 22nd, President Lee Jae-myung stated via X (formerly Twitter) that "freedom of the press does not mean a privilege of the press." The President stressed that "if the media distorts facts and spreads falsehoods for political purposes while neglecting its responsibility to report truthfully and accurately, it is reasonable for the media to bear greater responsibility than the general public." He also asserted that "rights entail duties, and freedom entails responsibility," highlighting truth and justice as cornerstones of democracy.
'Unanswered Questions' Apology and SBS Union Protest
President Lee's remarks came shortly after the production team of SBS's 'Unanswered Questions' ('Geu-al') issued an apology regarding their past report on his alleged involvement with a Seongnam organized crime syndicate. The 'Geu-al' team stated they "apologize for raising suspicions without clear evidence" concerning the episode 'Power and Gangsters - One Year After the Pattaya Murder Case' aired in July 2018. However, the SBS Labor Union countered with a statement condemning President Lee's "SNS actions that threaten press freedom" and urged him "to cease anti-democratic attempts to control the media."
*Source: YouTube: JTBC News (2026-03-22)*
