President Lee Jae-myung emphasized the importance of the media during a press conference on June 8, stating, "The media is crucial. It is one of the key pillars supporting a democratic republic. Therefore, it must be protected and guaranteed. However, it must also bear corresponding responsibilities."
During the event at the Blue House, he remarked, "The media should be protected. In a democratic society, information serves as the basis for the judgment of the sovereign, and the primary role of the media is to convey that information accurately. However, when that information is distorted, manipulated, or false, it misleads the judgment of the sovereign. That is truly dangerous."
Lee acknowledged that "mistakes due to misinterpretation of facts are unavoidable," but he stressed that "manipulating facts is an act that undermines the constitutional order. If there is intent behind it, I believe it constitutes a serious crime."
He further stated, "If the media, which enjoys special protection and guarantees from the national community, deliberately spreads fake news that disrupts the national system, it must be held accountable for acts that disturb public order. In my view, it seems that accountability is not well enforced in South Korea."
Lee also criticized the practice of quoting someone's claims as facts, saying, "It is wrong to report someone’s assertion as if it were a fact by placing it in quotation marks. If it is a falsehood but is reported with quotes, it is still false reporting. That does not absolve one of responsibility."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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